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Select trails within the existing public lands closure area shown here were reopened by Sawtooth National Forest officials last Saturday, Sept. 15. Reopened trails include portions of the Bald Mountain, Adams Gulch and Fox Creek trail systems.
Map courtesy of Sawtooth National Forest
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In time for hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners to squeeze in another month or more of backcountry fun before the snow flies, Sawtooth National Forest officials have reopened some of the popular trails closed in August due to the Castle Rock Fire.
Included in the list of partially reopened trail systems in the eastern Smoky Mountains are the Bald Mountain, Adams Gulch, Fox Creek and Chocolate Gulch areas. The trails were officially reopened on Saturday, Sept. 15.
However, not all trails in those areas are open, said Renee Catherine, trails coordinator for the Sawtooth National Forest's Ketchum Ranger District. Catherine said local U.S. Forest Service officials are considering whether to reopen trails on a case-by-case basis.
She said that before they can reopen a trail, federal crews must assess the hazards that may exist on any given trail from snags, fallen logs and widow makers, which are large branches that get hung up in a tree and may fall to the ground with little warning.
"We will not be using volunteers to complete that task," Catherine said. "It's hazardous."
The newly reopened trails are actually exceptions to an existing public lands closure area, which Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor Jane Kollmeyer approved Sept. 7. The closure area extends from Oregon Gulch on the north to Deer Creek on the south. The closure area further extends west from state Highway 75.
While that closure remains in effect, forest officials decided they could reopen some trails inside the boundaries of the designated area, Catherine said.
She said that because they've been reopened doesn't mean no hazards exist along the trails.
"Be really aware," Catherine said. "Your old familiar trail is a different environment."
She said people should be especially aware when it's windy and when they're passing by stands of lodgepole pine and Douglas fir, both of which can have their roots weakened after a fire.
"They do come down at the oddest of moments. A lot of the anchor roots are burned," Catherine said. "Just be heads up."
She said people should also watch out for rainstorms, which could cause flash flooding and mudslides in areas around trails.
Only the following trails are now open under the revised public lands closure order:
· The Heidelberg Hill, Sunnyside, Lane's, Citizen's, Pork Chop and Adams Gulch-Griffin Butte Loop trails in the Adams Gulch area.
· The Oregon Gulch, Oregon-Fox Connector, Fox Creek Loop Saddle, North Fork Loop and Life Preserver trails in the Fox Creek, Chocolate Gulch and Oregon Gulch areas.
· Trails originating from Hulen Meadows and the Lake Creek Trailhead.
· In the Bald Mountain area, the Traverse Trail to Warm Springs, the River Run Trail and the Perimeter Trail only to the top of Bald Mountain and as it descends on the Cold Springs side.
· Trails originating in Warm Springs Creek drainage that are west of Thompson Creek, including Barr Gulch, Castle Creek, Placer Creek and the Middle Fork and South Fork of Warm Springs Creek.
· The Warm Springs Trail from its junction with Placer Creek east up to the Fox Peak summit.
· Trails originating from the Deer Creek Road leading to the south, including Kinsey, Curran and Wolftone. Also open is the Deer Creek Trail to its junction with the Middle Fork of Warm Springs Creek.
· The Baker Creek Trailhead and all trails originating from Baker Creek are open.
Catherine said most trails in the closure area are marked with signs as being either open or closed. However, she said that not all trails in the Deer Creek area are clearly marked, but rather, a large map of open and closed trails there is posted at the main trailhead.
For additional information on the Castle Rock Fire public lands closure area and trails that may be open or closed, call the Ketchum Ranger District office at 622-5371.
