SOUTH FORK— Spruce Lakes will be closed to camping and visitation from Sept. 6 through Sept. 12 while the Rio Grande National Forest fells trees along the edges of the lakes with the use of explosives. The two subalpine lakes are located about four miles northwest of Wolf Creek Pass in the Weminuche Wilderness.
Access along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail above Spruce Lakes will be limited during blasting operations, but there will be daily windows open for travel. The Lobo Overlook parking area and trailhead will be closed on Sept. 5 and 6. People wishing to hike or ride north on the CDNST on those two days will need to get on the trail where it leaves from Wolf Creek Pass.
“Beetle-killed trees have been falling into the lakes and clogging the spillways of the dams creating a risk the dams will be breached,” said Divide District Ranger Martha Williamson. “Directionally knocking down the trees away from the lakes with explosives will greatly reduce the risk of the dams breaching.”