Black Mesa Ranger District implements winter closure order that includes Forest Road 300

 Dec 30, 2014  

Courtesy of the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest

Springerville, AZ;December 30, 2014—The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy snow for the Rim Country which will leave many forest roads impassable. Black Mesa Ranger District (BMRD) is instituting a winter closure of the Rim Lakes Recreation Area as of 4 p.m. MST on December 30, 2014.  This closure includes vehicle access to Woods Canyon and Bear Canyon Lakes. This winter closure order applies to wheeled motor vehicles only. The forest will remain open for winter recreational activities, including, but not limited to the use of snow machines. These closures are placed to protect forest resources and safeguard forest snowmobile routes.  The snow route originates at the Rim Top Trailhead off of Forest Road (FR) 300 and extends north.  Access to the snow route by car and truck traffic will be restricted on FR 300, 169, 34, 63, and 70A.  The BMRD wishes to also remind the public that FR 171 is temporarily closed for public safety due to logging activity occurring in the area. FR 171 is east of the Mogollon Rim Visitor Center, off AZ State Highway 260 and in the area of Fulton Point.  FR 149 continues to be intermittently closed for public safety due to logging activity occurring in the area. FR 149 is the access road into the Willow Springs Campground.   The closure order and map will be posted on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests website at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf.

For general forest travel on open roads, it is important to remember that forest roads are not maintained or regularly patrolled during the winter months. Traveling on forest roads is not advised during the winter and is at your own risk.  When exploring the forest in winter don’t overestimate the ability of your vehicle. If a road looks impassable, it likely is.  If you find that you are leaving ruts in the road, please reevaluate your need to enter the forest.  Visitors found to be causing ruts or other damage on or off forest roads are subject to fines for resource damage and are responsible for any costs incurred if they need a tow truck to pull their vehicle back onto solid ground.  No extraordinary measures will be taken to help remove personal vehicles and equipment that becomes stuck on snowy forest roads.  If you must venture into the forest, four wheel drive vehicles are recommended, and always carry extra clothing, blankets, food, water, and a cell phone. Remember to tell friends and family which roads you plan to travel and when you expect to be home.  Plan ahead and be safe.

For further information on forest conditions, call the Black Mesa Ranger District at (928) 535-7300 to inquire about road conditions and the temporary winter closure. Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is also a source for road information across the state and their web address is http://www.az511.gov.