National Forest Service staff were able to fully reopen the area where the 2020 East Troublesome Fire occurred, they announced Wednesday.
The 193,812-acre blaze in Grand County hopped the Continental Divide and charred land in Grand Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park and on the edge of Estes Park.
Crews worked to address erosion, flooding and debris flows in the burned areas. They cleared almost 3,000 trees from trails, stabilizing 23 miles of path in the area. A big portion of the work on trails consisted of treatment for invasive species, signage and fencing repair and culvert clearing.
Closures remain in place for this year’s Black Mountain, Morgan Creek and the Muddy Slide fires.
While open, the East Troublesome area still has its risks like many areas in the high country. The scar is more susceptible than usual to flash flooding, debris flows and unstable trees.
