Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

Looks like Thursday was an epic day at Snowmass.  Courtesy of Aspen-Snowmass and David Amirault

ASPEN — A plan to clear dead and dying trees from as many as 4,200 acres at Aspen's four ski areas has been approved by White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams, reported The Aspen Times.

The thinning will occur in areas ravaged by mountain pine beetles, spruce beetles, mistletoe disease and drought, Fitzwilliams stated.

Certain trees will be cleared from 2,625 acres at Snowmass, 845 acres at Aspen Highlands, 352 acres at Buttermilk and 143 acres at Aspen Mountain.

Fitzwilliams said he directed Skico not to undertake any tree clearing in the Burnt Mountain inventoried roadless area on the east side of Snowmass or in the McFarlane inventoried roadless area east of Aspen Mountain.

The work will be performed over the next 10 years. No roads can be created for the work, and there are guidelines for methods used to thin the trees.