Trees are falling in the forest due to high winds, which can make recreation in the forest dangerous.

Dale Kirkley, owner of The Rendezvous Lodge, said snowmobilers are reporting downed trees on trails.

“At first, I thought it was because of the beetle kill and lack of snow,” Kirkley said. “The trees are breaking a few feet above the snow line, which indicates it is wind breaking the trees.”
“The groomer had to borrow my chainsaw the first night,” Kirkley said.

Kirkley has not had an opportunity to snowmobile this year, but the snowmobilers that eat or stay at his lodge keep him informed of what is happening on the trails.

“The wind hit everybody at once,” Kirkley said. Before then, there hasn’t been much wind.
Kirkley asked snowmobilers who find fallen trees on the trails to report it to him or to Ten Mile Inn so someone can let the groomers know.

One fatality, on the Albany County side of the Snowy Range, has been contributed to a falling tree.

Larry Sandoval, public affairs officer for the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, said the important thing to remember is to not be complacent around tree stands.

“Winds will catch a healthy canopy and knock the tree down,” Sandoval said.

“Trees fall indiscriminately,” Sandoval said. “We are really saddened by the fatality. We send our condolences to the family and friends of the person killed.”

Albany County Undersheriff Rob DeBree said William Rice, 70, who owned a vacation cabin on the Albany County side of the Snowy Range was snowmobiling three-and-one-half miles north of Albany on the T trail when a tree fell. Rice lived in Colorado.

“It is one of the largest of freak accidents I have seen,” DeBree said.

The green tree broke as a whole piece, but came down in three sections, DeBree said.

The Albany County Sheriff Department received assistance from Centennial.

“Some family members were present,” DeBree said.

Rice had major internal injuries. Everything was done to save him, but the injuries were too severe, DeBree said.

“Even if he had been in a hospital, they couldn’t have saved him,” DeBree said.
“It is becoming more and more dangerous all the time. You have to be aware of your surroundings at all times,” DeBree said.

“The last couple of years we have had spruce beetles as well as pine beetles. It is a big epidemic. But wind is a big factor. A number of things play into falling trees,” Sandoval said.
“Always be aware. Watch the forecast for big winds and stay out of the woody areas. Avoid dense trees. Maintain awareness; some trees come down whether there is wind or not,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval said if snowmobilers are out when the wind kicks up, they should head to the nearest opening to get away from the trees. “Look at windows of opportunity to escape,” Sandoval said.
Sandoval said the forest service is working on clearing the dead trees, but they are starting in Colorado and have a long way to go. The forest service is also clearing the trees on high-use roads and trails.

Sandoval recommends people carry an axe, chainsaw or bow saw when driving pickups and ATVs. In most cases, snowmobiles can drive around the downed trees, but it is a good idea to have an axe or bow saw, too.

Sandoval said not to rely on cell phones because reception is spotty in the mountains.

“People can contact their local ranger to find out which trails have been cleared,” Sandoval said.
In the last two years, 336 miles along major roads, 1,200 acres of campgrounds and recreation areas and 66 miles of trails - motorized and non-motorized - have been cleared.

“Most snowmobile trails follow the major roads,” Sandoval said.