RBC | The White River National Forest Blanco Ranger District reminds forest users that summer motorized and bicycle use does not begin in most areas of the forest until May 21 to protect roads and trails from damage and to protect wildlife from disturbance.
“This year we have a lower snowpack and some county roads are being plowed earlier than in past years, which is giving people earlier access to forest roads and trailheads that are closed until May 21,” said Curtis Keetch. “It might be dry at the trailhead, but there will be saturated roadbeds and snow-covered portions of those roads that are not visible from the trailhead.”
Motorized and bicycle travel on wet, muddy roads can cause significant road damage and erosion. Some roads and trails are also seasonally closed to protect important elk calving and deer migration areas.
“We are asking folks to be patient. The summer vehicle use season will be here soon,” Keetch said.
All forest visitors are responsible for knowing when and where they can drive or ride. Paper Motor Vehicle Use Maps are free at the Blanco Ranger District. Motorized use as well as bicycle maps are also available online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whiteriver/landmanagement/?cid=stelprdb5328670
HOPEWEST PRESS RELEASE | Special to the Herald Times
