UPDATE:  Due to rampant trespassing in the Mt. Jumbo winter closure areas, Missoula Police officers will be monitoring the area and issuing trespass citations.

Although we have not had much snow this year, the winter closure areas remain closed for the following reasons:

• We need to prevent the elk from becoming habituated to people. Not having a fear of people could cause them to filter into nearby neighborhoods. 
• The fear of people and unleashed dogs in their habitat area could cause them to abandon the area as their winter range. The place they relocate to may not be able to sustain them during a harsh winter. This could result in the loss of the entire herd. 

Missoula Municipal Code 12.40 prohibits trespassing during the wildlife closure, and violators may be fined up to $500. Please call 911 to report violations. If possible, please provide a description of the person and/or their vehicle and license plate number.

Missoula Parks and Recreation reminds hikers and bikers that some City open space areas are closed in the winter months to protect wildlife. Most of Mount Jumbo closed to all recreational use from December 1 through March 15 to protect wintering elk, deer and other wildlife. Unfortunately, we have seen increased trespassing in these closed areas, probably due to this winter’s mild weather conditions.

During the winter, Mount Jumbo's elk herd moves to lower elevations to its traditional winter range in search of food. These critical areas of the mountain are closed seasonally to recreational use to help increase the herd's chance of winter survival. Trespassing during the winter closure can negatively impact the herd of about 120 elk through habituation to people or a decline in animal health and could even cause them to abandon their current winter range. When people or dogs chase elk, it causes the elk to spend valuable energy in cold temperatures, endangering next spring's calves.

Several trails on Mount Jumbo are open all year, including the U.S. West road above I-90 and the lower L trail up to the L, both of which are accessible from the Cherry St. trailhead. Dogs must be leashed on trails that remain open during the winter closure and where posted, and owners are reminded to remove their pet’s waste. Many additional areas remain open year-round where winter hikers can enjoy the numerous trails, scenic views and varied terrain—the North Hills, Mount Sentinel, Rattlesnake Greenway, and in the Pattee Canyon, Blue Mountain, and Rattlesnake Recreation Areas. The Missoula Trails map is available online at missoulamaps.com or at Currents Aquatics Center, 600 Cregg Ln in McCormick Park. Hikers are reminded to leash dogs where posted and to remove their pet's waste.

 Hiking or skiing off-trail is strictly prohibited in the closure areas as avalanche conditions may develop once there is snow and could result in loss of life and significant property damage.

 Visit https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/206/Conservation-Lands-Closures for more information about the elk herd and to see a map of the closure area, which also shows the trails that are open.