Last year ADOT & NPS kept their gates open till Dec 4 even though the Lodge closes on Oct 15. ( just be prepared for snow as the road is not plowed often, or at night, or during storms )
The Coconino NF has begun to open roads on the Mogollon Rim ... very early due to the lack of snow this year.
FR300 is open from AZ-87 to the ASNF border, including access to Knoll Lake.
Access to Blue Ridge Reservoir is also open, but not all the way to to boat ramp.
Coming from AZ-260, FR300 is still closed on the Apache-Sitgreaves, but they are hoping to open the road by the end of March.
It is drying up very quickly and we have already gone into a “Moderate” fire danger rating, pretty early for that. Some good news to report, most of our major forest roads on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District have now been opened. Our employees are currently checking roads for trees that have come down over the winter and are cutting out those that are blocking the roads. At this time, most of the roads are passable, but those that are not will have a barricade, please do not damage the roads by going around the barricade(s). Forest Road 300 is open from Highway 87 to the Apache Sitgreaves and Coconino National Forest boundary. The Apache Sitgreaves National Forest is doing some road improvements on Forest Road 300 and plan to open it up towards the end of this month.
The road to Blue Ridge Reservoir has been opened, but only to the cattle guard before the entrance to Rock Crossing campground. At this time motor vehicle use is not permitted beyond the gate, foot traffic is ok. Arizona Game and Fish Department will be installing some “Jersey Barriers” along the boat ramp for public safety, until this is completed access to the boat ramp will remain closed. Game and Fish is anticipating having this project completed around the first part of April, and I will definitely send an email out when we open it. I know you are anxious to get down to the reservoir and do some spring fishing, you will just have to wait a little bit longer. The reservoir will be open for summer recreation use this year, but plans to continue with improvements at the boat ramp will continue after Labor Day weekend 2014. Vehicle access to Long Lake and Knoll lake is currently accessible, however the campground at Knoll Lake will open at a later date.
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
Guessing those Jersey Barriers do not have the internal wind turbines to harness power passing by. With such little traffic it shouldn't hamper the laminar airflow. The lighter construction shouldn't be a problem either since they really aren't protecting reverse field traffic flow. Then again most would be coming to a full stop so the benefits would be minimal for most safe drivers. However I know those backroads are filled with Chumleys and Skatchkins whipping daisies and smirking it up.
I'll bet the Fire Ban goes into Effect waaaayyyy before Memorial Day.....
Lifeis not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming,"Wow What a Ride!"
ASNF opened FR 300 from the east side TODAY. It is still gated closed east of Knoll Lake at the Coconino boundary.
CNF plans to open the west side by the end of next week: April 4th.
See release below:
INFORMATION FROM THE MOGOLLON RIM RANGER DISTRICT
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Forest Roads – We have been receiving many, many calls inquiring as to when we plan to open up forest roads. Currently Forest Road 82 to Long Lake, via Highway 87 and Forest Road 211 is open, and this past weekend we opened up the FR142 corridor. The corridor is bounded by the 142 Rd on the east where it takes off from Highway 87, then Highway 260 on the south and west, Highway 87 on the southeast and West Clear Creek to the north.
Depending upon the weather we are planning to open the rest of the roads on the District by the end of next week, April 4th, this is also contingent upon clearing the roads of downed trees, rock slides and wash outs. Black Mesa Ranger District on the Apache/Sitgreaves NF, plans to open their side of Forest Road 300 today, March 26th, we will have our end opened by the end of next week. There are many trees down that still need to be cleared, and there are a few wash outs on the road.
Your patience on this has been greatly appreciated; re-opening roads after the winter is not just as simple as opening a gate!
First Forest Fire of the 2015 Spring/Summer Season – Unfortunately we did not get a good snow pack over the past winter, and the forest is drying out quickly with the warm temperatures and spring winds. We had a 10 acre fire near the Long Lake area
Monday/Tuesday, human caused. This is a good reminder for all of us to be extra careful with fire especially this year and every year. Thank you!!
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
This week Chumley & I received an update from the Mogollon Rim Ranger Station (Hwy 87/FR95) stating that the CNF plan was to have all the FRs open by work day end today Fri-4/3. I deleted my email announcement thinking that Chumley would update the post here..
Tomorrow (4/9/16) is when the Rim Road (FR300) will open on the west side (Coconino NF) as well as all the roads that lead to it. I believe that makes only the Lockett Meadow Road still closed on Coconino.
ASNF has opened the Rim Road on the east side, but only to Woods Canyon Lake. As of earlier this week, their estimate to open the rest of it was May 1st, but I suspect it will happen sooner than that.
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
Coconino NF is opening some roads on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District this weekend.
The roads north and west of AZ-87 toward Flagstaff are all open except FR92 and FR135 to Hutch Mtn and Gooseberry Springs and part of FR82.
All of the roads south and east of AZ-87 remain closed, including the major access points of FR300 and FR95 due to continued deep snow drifts on the roads there.
ADOT set to reopen routes to lakes in White Mountains
PHOENIX – After a long winter’s nap, three state highways to lakes in the White Mountains are scheduled to reopen Thursday, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
They are: State Route 261 between Eagar and Big Lake; State Route 273 between Sunrise Park and Big Lake; and State Route 473 between State Route 260 and Hawley Lake.
Another highway that closes for the winter, State Route 67, leading to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, is anticipated to reopen in mid-May.
"The censorship method ... is that of handing the job over to some frail and erring mortal man, and making him omnipotent on the assumption that his official status will make him infallible and omniscient."
George Bernard Shaw
Route Editor
Route Scout
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/condit ... tml#mogrim
](./images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall"){kind=small}
lame... I thought I had one last chance to get up there before the cars
Don't think so...
