Paved Portions of Forest Roads 300 and 105 Open Today

Some news from our good friends at the U.S. Forest Service:

Archie Tucker | Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

The Black Mesa Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests plans to open the paved portion of Forest Roads 300 and 105, access to Woods Canyon Lake and the Store on Thursday, March 20, 2014. At this time visitation to the Woods Canyon Lake Area will be for day use only.

Woods Canyon Lake Store and Marina will open to visitors but all developed campgrounds across the district will remain closed until May 1, 2014. However, visitors wishing to camp may do so along Forest Road 171, located 3 1/2 miles southeast of Woods Canyon Lake, behind the Mogollon Rim Visitor’s Center.  Other areas open for dispersed camping include: Larson Ridge on Forest Road 237 directly west of Forest Lakes; Forest Road 300, east of Forest Lakes in the Black Canyon Lake area; and Forest Road 122. No water or developed facilities are available in these dispersed areas and campers are reminded the Apache-Sitgreaves is a ‘Pack-it-In, Pack-it-Out’ forest. We ask that visitors be considerate of others by maintaining a clean campsite during their stay and removing all evidence of their visit when departing.  Leaving trash in the forest is illegal, unsightly, and can be deadly to wildlife.

The gravel portion of Forest Road 300 beyond Woods Canyon Lake will remain closed until Friday, March 28, to allow road crews to complete a significant reconstruction project. This ongoing construction project is being done to provide a higher quality road surface for users throughout the 2014 recreation season.

Forest visitors should come prepared for changing weather conditions. Roads may be muddy and impassable at any time of the year and four wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Carry extra clothing, blankets, food, water, and a cell phone. Even when road surfaces are dry, shoulders and dispersed campsites may still be saturated and muddy. Please check ground conditions before leaving developed roads and avoid creating ruts and other resource damage.

Forest Service to Waive Fees in Honor of Veterans Day Holiday

Joan Spivey | Kaibab NF

A message from our friends at the U.S. Forest Service.

The U.S. Forest Service is waiving fees at most of its day-use recreation sites over the Veterans Day holiday weekend, November 9-11. The fee waivers — the fourth this year — are offered in cooperation with other federal agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Day-use fees will be waived at all standard amenity fee sites operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Concessionaire operated day-use sites may be included in the waiver if the permit holder wishes to participate.

“We wholeheartedly salute the men and women who represent the nearly 22 million American veterans who have served their country in the military,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “As we do throughout the year, we encourage veterans and their families to take advantage of their national forests and grasslands to enjoy all the benefits the outdoors provide.”

Forests in Arizona:

• Apache-Sitgreaves
• Coconino
• Coronado
• Kaibab
• Prescott
• Tonto

The health benefits visitors receive from visiting national forests and grasslands are found when exploring the more than 150,000 miles of trails, which includes hiking, biking, equestrian and motorized trails, and more than 10,000 developed recreation sites. Visitors also have a wide choice of recreational activities with 57,000 miles of streams, 122 alpine ski areas, 338,000 heritage sites, 9,100 miles of National Scenic Byways, 22 National Recreation Areas, 11 National Scenic Areas, seven National Monuments, one national preserve and one national heritage area.

The fee waiver days support the goals of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative, which encourages all Americans to connect with the outdoors, and First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move Outside,” which encourages children to get out and get active to be healthy.

Traditionally, fees are not charged on 98 percent of national forests and grasslands, and approximately two-thirds of developed recreation sites in national forests and grasslands can be used for free. Many recreation opportunities such as camping, sightseeing and hiking can be enjoyed throughout the year at no cost.

The Forest Service also honors active duty military members year-round with the free Interagency Annual Military Pass honored at all Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service sites charging entrance or standard amenity fees.

Go online to find a national forest or grassland near you.

 

 

Grand Canyon Open for Business

Ed Taube

Good news, friends! The Grand Canyon is back in business — at least for the next seven days or so. Starting at 8 a.m. today, visitors to the Canyon can expect gates to be open. Keep in mind that there might be some delays here and there as vendors get back on their feet following the 11-day closure of the park.

Maybe it wasn’t on the agenda this weekend, or maybe you can take a vacation day (or two) next week, but we hope you’ll help support our friends at the Grand Canyon with a visit.

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests to implement a temporary safety closure for the Pole Knoll recreation area south of Greer

Fire dangers have hit a historic high for this time of year, and any fire start in the area poses a safety risk to the public and to fire fighters. The public is restricted from entering the Pole Knoll Recreation area, in addition to several Forest Service roads (listed below) in an effort to minimize risk for fire starts.

Currently, the Pole Knoll Recreation area (located off Arizona State Highway 260, and west of the Greer exit and Arizona State Highway 373 junction) and several associated Forest Service Roads are the only places we see the immediate need on the Springerville Ranger District to implement a “Temporary Emergency Closure” at this time due to concerns for public safety. The closure will be implemented at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 15, and will remain in full force and in effect until a significant amount of rain is received to allow us to lift the closure,” Springerville District Ranger Marcia Pfleiderer stated.

Closed to public access:

• Pole Knoll Recreation Area (off Arizona SH 260)

• FS Road #112

• FS Road 87

• Hiking within Pole Knoll interior

• Squirrel Springs parking lot, trail and restroom

• Government Spring Fishing Area

• FS Road #575 accessing the Gov’t Spring Fishing area

What is open?

• West Fork of the Little Colorado

• Rolf C. Hoyer Campground

For specific information on areas that are open or closed please contact the Springerville Ranger District Office at 928-333-6200.

Stage II fire restrictions are in effect on both the Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests (see website for closure order specifics at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf) banning all campfires (liquid petroleum and LPG stoves that can be turned on and off are allowed—propone fire pits are not allowed), smoking is not allowed unless in an enclosed vehicle or building; operating any internal combustion engine is not allowed from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; fireworks are never allowed on National Forest Service lands; welding or other torches with open flames are not allowed; and/or explosives.

Stage II fire restrictions and this area closure will remain in place until lands within Apache and Navajo Counties receive significant precipitation.