USFS closure reporting

[UtahJimmy]

I was just told over the phone by an employee at a Ranger District, that an entire basin is closed, not just the main trail that runs through it. I cannot find anything on the government website that announces such a claim. They don't even list the trail as closed on the website. A 'Recreation Update' put out by the same Ranger District in July says:

"ALL HIKING TRAILS ARE OPEN, HOWEVER, THERE MAY STILL BE SOME SNOW DRIFTS ON SOME OF THE TRAILS'

Is there somewhere I should be looking other than fs.usda.gov to determine whether or not I can access this public national forest land?

 

[mtnrunner260]

Talk to someone besides the gal at the front counter.
Ask for the recreation specialist or even better district ranger.
If you want pm me where and I'll see what I can did up. I know several FS employees in Utah.

 

[Beendare]

You think the USFS updates their website regularly........bwahhaha, thats funny.

Yeah, i feel your pain. The FS doesnt make it easy on us sometimes....but like the poster above states, talking to the right person makes all the difference.

 

[KClark]

I hope it's different in Utah but here in CA some USFS employees have no problem lying straight to your face, especially when it comes to land use.

 

[530Chukar]

It has never made much sense to me to close down a particular trailhead or area when they can be accessed without restriction from over a dozen other points in many cases.

 

[UtahJimmy]

You think the USFS updates their website regularly........bwahhaha, thats funny.

Yeah, i feel your pain. The FS doesnt make it easy on us sometimes....but like the poster above states, talking to the right person makes all the difference.

Haha yeah their websites do suck, but the update was from last month. That's pretty dang regular by goberment standards!

But seriously, they are also allowing cattle grazing in this basin... so I think I should be able to access it as well?!?

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[Bubblehide]

I hope it's different in Utah but here in CA some USFS employees have no problem lying straight to your face, especially when it comes to land use.

Some, that's a huge underestimate.

 

[sneaky]

Ha, if it's in Utah Mossback probably has a big buck or bull spotted and doesn't want anyone screwing it up for them

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[UtahJimmy]

Just to follow-up, I spoke with a Ranger last week. He said he wants to get into the area and make an assessment. Then he'll clear the area and make sure it's safe before opening it back up.

I'm glad I spoke with a Ranger because he was very straight-forward and indirectly told me that being in this area will not get me a ticket.

As always, thanks for the suggestions and help!

 

[Nick Muche]

Why wouldn't an area be safe?

 

[BuzzH]

Why wouldn't an area be safe?

Theres about a million reasons why, but some I've seen...

Wanted fugitives camping/hiding out in certain drainages.

Then there's things like pot farms and meth labs.

Areas where active fires are burning, areas where heavy amounts of standing dead trees and high wind warnings collide.

Dead animals (moose, elk, livestock, etc.) attracting grizzly bears and black bears.

Landslide areas, washed out trails, roads, etc.

Reclamation work on old mines.

The list goes on and on and on...

 

[BroodBuster]

Why wouldn't an area be safe?

Standing dead, burnt trees can randomly fall over for a few years. Often the forest service will first bring in fellers and drop the obviously dangerous trees followed by a crew to spread native grass seeds. Also deadfall that has yet to settle can be quite scary when stepped on just right.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

So, if I'm understanding this right, a forest service employee basically decides if we can access our public land? Is that correct?

 

[BroodBuster]

Yes. Sort of. When they move in they move in with force. To the point it's not really something most are willing to put up with. Legally speaking I don't think they can keep you out but between the big rigs, noise and people common sense says let them do their job and move on.

I've only run into it a couple of times so would love to hear from someone who actually does this type of work

 

[BuzzH]

So, if I'm understanding this right, a forest service employee basically decides if we can access our public land? Is that correct?

Yes, usually a District Ranger or Forest Supervisor...when its essential to carrying out operations and keeping the public safe. It's rarely done and only done for good reasons, like those I mentioned.

What problem do you have with that?

 

[530Chukar]

Theres about a million reasons why, but some I've seen...

Wanted fugitives camping/hiding out in certain drainages.

Then there's things like pot farms and meth labs.

Areas where active fires are burning, areas where heavy amounts of standing dead trees and high wind warnings collide.

Dead animals (moose, elk, livestock, etc.) attracting grizzly bears and black bears.

Landslide areas, washed out trails, roads, etc.

Reclamation work on old mines.

The list goes on and on and on...

Some of these reasons end up turning into a joke. One of our local forests had a wildfire several year ago and the FS still has the area closed to the public due to the danger from trees. YEARS LATER. There is a time and place for the closures but other times they are abused.


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[Jason__G]

In the PNW, forest and wilderness closures happen from time to time. This year, a large chunk of the Three Sisters Wilderness is closed due to several fires in the area. For example:

If you notice, that is the Pacific Crest Trail on the East. Lots of through-hikers having to go around this year. Another trail closure is waiting for them 30 miles later.

Just one Forest has several large fires burning in multiple areas and numerous closures. We had planned on hunting some of these areas, and if we wanted to, we could access from other trails outside the closed area, but that would be monumentally stupid. We don't need to hunt these areas that badly. The areas will be better to hunt next year after they recover. The last thing fire managers need to worry about are impatient people wandering close to an active fire with weapons. Fires can shift quickly and move faster than you or I can run.
Fire crews have enough to deal with. The best plan is to stay out, give them space to do their jobs, and hunt the back-up plan.

 

[Jason__G]

Sat view from last night for those who like more proof, and because sat views are cool:

 

[Jason__G]

And since this thread was started based on Utah, here is the Utah Sat:

Utah has been cloudy lately. I had to go back to the 10th to get an image without a lot of cloud cover.
Doesn't look like lots of fires, or lots of snow, even at the higher elevations, but the local guys will know better than I.

 

[Bcole82]

Has it been cloudy or was it smoke? I'm in Southern Idaho and we are just starting to be rid of all the smoke from various fires.


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