Outdoor enthusiasts in Colorado received a safety update as the U.S. Forest Service announced temporary closures of several trails and trailheads. The directive, effective as of today, January 2, follows a mountain lion attack reported the day prior. The closed areas include: Garden Gate Trailhead (Crosier Mountain Trail 931), Gravel Pit/Rainbow Trailhead (Crosier Mountain Trail/Rainbow Trail 981), and Piper Meadows/Glen Haven Trailhead.
Details were sparse, but the incident has prompted a swift response from authorities looking to prevent any further altercations between wildlife and hikers. Concerned hikers can stay informed via updates from the U.S. Forest Service. A visit to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website is also suggested for those seeking more information on the attack and safety precautions.
The closures are part of a larger effort to ensure the safety of trail users. "This post will be updated when the trails and trailheads reopen," the U.S. Forest Service notified via the aforementioned social media announcement. The local authorities and wildlife experts often close trails after such incidents to allow for investigation and to give the area's wildlife time to move on, reducing the chance for further human-wildlife conflicts.
