Winter is coming to western Montana. In Missoula, this means that seasonal closures will go into effect on Mount Jumbo, in the O'Brien Creek area, and the upper reaches of Mount Dean Stone. Beginning this year, annual winter habitat closures will also affect the new trails on the Republic Services-Five Valleys conservation easement in the North Hills.
The North Hills offer important habitat for many plant and wildlife species, including wild elk. To support wildlife during winter, public access on the private Republic Services-Five Valleys conservation easement property in the North Hills closes between October 1-March 31. Please respect the gift of access that our landowner partner, Repubilc Services, provides by respecting this seasonal closure. The neighboring Bluebird Preserve remains open year-round. The City of Missoula manages the trails on both the Bluebird Preserve and the Republic Services conservation easement property. Learn more about the City's winter closures here.
Mount Dean Stone provides crucial winter habitat for over 200 elk, who migrate each fall to take advantage of lower elevation forage. To minimize impacts to wildlife, the upper portion of the Mount Dean Stone Community Forest goes under a recreation closure between December 1 – May 15. During this time, the entire House of Sky Trail is under winter closure, affecting all forms of recreation. The Mount Dean Stone Community Forest is owned and managed by Five Valleys.
The upper portions of the Mount Dean Stone Preserve, between the South Hills Spur and the summit, will be under a dog closure starting December 1st. Lower trails, including Barmeyer and Sousa, remain open to dogs; all trails within the Preserve remain open to human use year-round. The Mount Dean Stone Preserve is managed by the City of Missoula. Learn more about the City's winter closures here.
Mount Jumbo supports around 75 elk each winter. Both the North Zone and South Zones on Mount Jumbo will close to *all* recreation on December 1st. The US West Road and the L trail, remain open all year; but please give wildlife space if you see them. The South Zone is scheduled to reopen March 15th. The North Zone is scheduled to reopen on May 1st. Reopening of both zones are subject to wildlife needs and snow cover and may be changed. Most of Mount Jumbo is managed by the City of Missoula. Learn more about the City's winter closures here.
Closures on Jumbo also help protect the public from triggering avalanches.
Located on the southwest corner of the Missoula Valley, near the Blue Mountain Recreation Area, trails in the O'Brien Creek area also close to support wintering elk. The North O'Brien Creek Loop Trail and South O'Brien Creek Loop Trail are both closed from December 1 - May 15th. This closure is managed by the Lolo National Forest. Learn more.
Winter is the most stressful, sensitive time for wildlife. Please help support our wildlife and allow us and our partners to responsibly provide recreation opportunities by respecting these closures.
Header photo of the Mount Dean Stone Community Forest closure sign by Anastasia Wilde
