Sorry, folks

A ride or hike might seem like a good idea during the current nonwinter. But before you head out, be forewarned that even though it feels like summer, winter wildlife closures went into effect Dec. 1 on some Durango outdoor playgrounds. The closures, which remain in place through April 15 to protect wintering deer and elk, include:

• Grandview Ridge

• Big Canyon and Sale Barn trailheads (access located east of U.S. Highway 160)

• South Rim Trail and portions of Sidewinder and Cowboy trails on BLM accessed from Carbon Junction or Crites Connect

• Grandview BLM trails, accessed from Three Springs

• Animas City Mountain upper loops

• Upper Twin Buttes loops, as marked

• Bodo State Wildlife Area, with the exception of the Smelter Mountain Trail, which is open from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; dogs are prohibited

• Perins Peak area east of County Road 208 and west of Hogsback is closed through July 31 to protect nesting peregrine falcons

The good news is, these trails are open:

• Horse Gulch, Telegraph, Crites, Meadow, Stacy’s, Mike’s and Sugar trails

• All of Raider Ridge Trail to Medicine, Ben’s Down and Out, and the “Charmed” trails

• Carbon Junction to Telegraph via Crites

• Lower Twin Buttes trails

• Dalla Mountain Park

• Overend Mountain Park

• Fort Lewis College Rim Trails, Lions Den and Chapman Flow

• Squawker, Tawker and Skyline trails

• The Colorado Trail

• Animas City Mountain lower loop