Popular Hiking Trail Near Ouray Closed Due to Safety Concerns
A popular hiking trail just off of Highway 550 south of Ouray has been closed due to safety concerns related to the instability of the soil on the trail.
Bear Creek Trail will be closed from Highway 550 to the Yellow Jacket Mine until further notice, according to the US Forest Service.
The mudslide that closed Highway 550 along a portion of Red Mountain Pass on July 8 has also created washouts, very unstable conditions, and a lack of safe walking surfaces for hikers on sections of Bear Creek Trail (NFST #241).
The trail's North and South Forks from Yellow Jacket Mine to Horsethief Trail and Engineer Pass was not affected by the slide and will remain open.
The Forest Service is currently assessing the damage and will be planning repairs to the trail. Currently, there is no estimate as to when the trail might reopen.