Closures and Alerts

Due to ongoing construction at Copper Mountain Resort, ~1.75 miles of trail is currently closed and can be bypassed via a ~1.75 mile detour.

For westbound travelers in this section (CDT southbound), do not cross the bridge into the parking lot, but turn right to head north on the recreation path. In ½ mile, turn left (west) to cross over 10 Mile Creek. Travel west on the rec path (cross Highway 91 at the traffic light) ¾ mile to Ten Mile Circle. Turn left at 10 Mile Circle and travel ¼ mile into Copper Mountain Center Village. Turn left at Starbucks, pass Copper Sports-Eagle BBQ, & follow signs to end of detour. Turn right onto CT.

For eastbound travelers in this section (CDT northbound), follow signs into Copper Mountain Center Village. Pass Eagle BBQ, Copper Sports, and turn right at Starbucks. Travel N/W on Ten Mile Circle, ¼ mile to Copper Road. Turn right (east) on Copper Road. In ¾ of a mile, just after crosswalk at highway 91 stoplight, turn right to cross 10 Mile Creek (if you pass Conoco station, you went too far). Turn right on recreation path and travel ½ mile south to end of detour. Turn left onto CT.

Delays Expected

Update: 7/17
Helicopter construciton operations will take place on Sunday July 20th beginning at 7am to approximately 5pm. The CDT will temporaily close between CDT mile 1088-1087 for up to one hour intervals during this time. Trail guards will be holding foot traffic and allow hikers to pass during 5-10 minutes gaps in flight operations.

Update: 6/20
On June 25th a helicopter will be hauling heavy loads above the trail just north of Monarch Pass. For your safety guards will be in place conducting foot traffic. The trail may close intermittently for up to four hours during aerial operations beginning at 7am. Please follow instructions from personnel and thank you for your patience.

Update: 3/24
The CDT section through the Monarch Mountain Ski Area will involve temporary closures due to construction at Monarch Ski area. Stops or delays should be limited to the shortest duration possible (e.g., minute or hour delays) rather than extended periods (days), while ensuring public safety. Expect heavy machinery traveling along the ridgeline during the day between summer 2025 and late fall 2025. Construction operations will resume in early summer 2025.

Update 7/10:
Jericho Mountain Fire Closure is now rescinded. Closure Order Number 01_15_12_25_11 has been rescinded as of 07-10-2025. The closure order was lifted for all roads and trails, including the Continental Divide Trail. Use caution near or in burned area due to unstable surfaces and fire weakened trees.

Reroute:

Jericho Fire CDT reroute map and directions

For more info: Inciweb

The CDT has reopened from the Buck fire (New Mexico BLM Socorro district: mile 291.5-332.5). Please be aware of potential post fire hazards and navigation challenges.  

For more info: InciWeb

Update 6/12: The Gila National Forest now advises anyone recreating in this area to ensure proper store storage of food and scented items.

Update 5/15: Gila National Forest has received numerous reports of a human-habituated bear frequenting the Jordan Hot Springs area of the Gila Wilderness. The bear has charged at hikers, harassed campers at a campsite, destroyed a tent, and entered the hot spring while visitors were soaking in it.

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is advising visitors to avoid the area until the department has had an opportunity to investigate and respond appropriately. Signs will be posted at local trailheads while this hazard exists. Learn more about living with bears at Keeping Bears Alive and Yourself Safe.

Jordan Hot Springs is along an undesignated “Gila Alternate” route along the Middle Fork trail used by many CDT hikers.

For more information contact:

Maribeth Pecotte, Public Affairs Officer
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila

Update 5/25/25 – The closure from the Pack Trail closure has lifted. Please use extreme caution if traveling in this area as many hazards may exist and navigation may be difficult in this post burn area.

Past Alert below:

The CDT is closed from Union Pass Road (mile 1887.5) to mile 1956.5 due to the Pack Trail Fire that started on 9/29/2024. The USFS is recommending a reroute listed below. This is the same reroute in place for the Fish Creek Fire.

Northbound:
Exit the CDT onto Union Pass Rd at CDT mile 1887.5.
Head northeast towards HWY 26 for 15.1 miles.
Take HWY 26 northwest for 33 miles (Use caution this is a paved Hwy). Hikers will be permitted to camp (for one night only) along highway 26 at GPS coordinates 43.707802, -109.972169. 
Exit HWY 26 at Turpin Meadows Ranch Road and take that north for 4.6 miles.
After crossing the bridge of the Buffalo Fork take Turpin Meadow Loop road until you reach the North Buffalo Fork Trail.
Take the North Buffalo Fork Trail northeast for 5.9 miles until reconnecting with the CDT at CDT mile 1956.5.

Southbound:
Exit the CDT at mile 1956.5 and take the North Buffalo Fork Trail southwest for 5.9 miles.
Take Turpin Meadow Loop Road west until Turpin Meadows Ranch Road.
Take Turpin Meadows Ranch Road south for 4.6 miles towards HWY 26.
Take HWY 26 east for 33 miles until you reach Union Pass Road. (Use caution this is a paved Hwy). Hikers will be permitted to camp (for one night only) along highway 26 at GPS coordinates 43.707802, -109.972169.
Take Union Pass Road southwest for 15.1 miles until you reconnect with the CDT at CDT mile 1887.5

Click here to view larger interactive map.

For more information contact 307-395-2351.

Update: May 15th 1:15pm –  Iron Fire now 100% contained – Snow Lake area open
The fire is 100% contained as of Monday afternoon. No further updates will be provided unless notable activity occurs. Should an update be necessary, it will be posted on the Gila National Forest Facebook page and the Iron Fire InciWeb site listed below. 

Update: May 9th 10:15am – Snow Lake area now open
The Snow Lake area, including Dipping Vat Campground, Snow Lake Boat Launch, and the Snow Lake Trailhead are now open to the public. Visitors are advised that firefighting personnel and equipment are still active in the area. Please exercise caution when driving on forest roads—reduce speed, stay alert, and use headlights to improve visibility.

For public safety, hikers are asked to avoid the fire area and consider using alternate routes when possible. Hikers taking the Gila Middle Fork trail may encounter firefighting personel and activities, especially in the Snow Lake area but the Snow Lake trailhead is now open. 

Update: May 7th 9:15am – Recommended reroute available
The Gila National Forest is recommending hikers taking the Middle Fork trail to exit at the Aeroplane Mesa trail (Farout mile 70.7 of the Gila River Alternate – pink line) and head north for roughly 3.7 miles until reaching the Aeroplane Mesa Campground and Loco Mountain Road. Head west on Loco Mountain road for approximately 3 miles until reaching a T intersection and meeting back up with the Gila River Alternate (Farout mile 79.2 – pink line).

This route is also known as the Gila High Route and is marked in orange on the Farout app. 

Please use caution as hikers may encounter firefighting vechiles traveling along portions of this route.

Update: May 6th
Iron Fire was reported Sunday, May 4 at about noon. It is located in Cooper Canyon south of Iron Mesa and northeast of Turkeyfeather Mountain, inside the Gila Wilderness, south of Willow Creek Campground. This may affect hikers utilizing a popular undesignated route near the CDT, the Gila River Middle Fork Trail.

From the Gila National Forest:

Snow Lake boat launch, trailhead, and Dipping Vat Campground are evacuated. Continental Divide Trail hikers following the Middle Fork Gila River are advised to exit the river corridor at Aeroplane Mesa Trail to avoid the closed Snow Lake area and possible fire activity.

For more information contact 575-388-8211 or [email protected]

No fires except if it is in:

1. A  permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites
   (campgrounds and picnic areas) – see Exhibit B;
2. A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or
3. A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device

Click here to see full order.

Pursuant to Grant County Fire Code Ordinance No. 14-2, the Grant County Fire Management Officer finds that there are currently severe and/or extreme drought conditions and a state of fire emergency. Consequently, the following restrictions shall be in effect:

All open fires are prohibited, except in developed camp and picnic grounds where agency­ built fire rings or grills are provided. Check postings at campgrounds before starting a fire.

1. No open burning: campfires, croplands, fields, rangeland, debris/trash burning, slash piles, or weeds are all prohibited.
2. Covered propane grills are generally allowed on areas of barren dirt, pavement, concrete or similar surfaces, unless determined to be a fire hazard by an enforcing officer.
3. Motorized equipment must have spark arrestors.
4. Do not dispose of: hot ashes, cinders, smoldering coals or greasy or oily materials subject to spontaneous ignition except in an approved combustible receptacle.
5. Any hazardous source of ignition, as determined by the County Fire Management Officer or the Grant County Manager, with respect to this posted notice is prohibited in accordance within the posted park or area.

These restrictions shall be effective immediately and shall remain in effect until conditions improve and will only be lifted at the direction of the Fire Management Officer and/or the Grant County Manager.

Penalties: Any individual, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity who violates this ordinance or restrictions imposed pursuant to this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined in an amount not to exceed $300 and may be imprisoned for up to ninety (90) days, or both.

Full details