Warm weather has prompted Sawtooth National Forest officials to enact seasonal travel restrictions on local roads and trails on the Ketchum Ranger District until drier conditions prevail.
Beginning this spring, all road and trail closures on the district will be reported on a new website that will provide the public with detailed information, including trail maps. The information is available at www.trailweb.net/fs-trails.
Forest roads affected by the restrictions are closed to all wheeled vehicles. Forest trails affected by the restrictions—including paths in the popular Adams Gulch and Fox Creek areas—are closed to all uses.
All closed roads and trails are signed in prominent locations and will be monitored and updated weekly, according to a news release from the Ketchum Ranger District. Officials want to remind people that anyone found violating the seasonal closures—which have been in effect for nearly two decades—may be cited.
"People now realize that by waiting a few weeks for things to dry out, roads and trails are not damaged and are in better condition for the busy summer and fall recreation seasons," said Ketchum District Recreation Specialist Joe Miczulski.
In addition to the new website, a list of the closed roads and trails is also available at the Ketchum Ranger District and Sawtooth National Recreation Area offices, as well as the Ketchum-Sun Valley Chamber of Commerce and at many Wood River Valley outdoor retail stores. Spring closure maps and information will also be posted at area trailheads.
Jason Kauffman: jkauffman@mtexpress.com
