How Soon Do Trails Open Up After A Fire?

[SpiderLegs]

Right now about half of my go-to trails around my house are closed due to the Bighorn Fire. Once the fire is out, how soon does the Forest Service typically re-open things?

[azbackpackr]

@SpiderLegs
How long is a piece of string? It depends on numerous factors. Some never reopen, by the way.

[Jim]

We can't say because we don't know how things look on the ground. It may vary between immediately to over a year from now.

That said, interpreting the maps of the fire it appears as though the entirety of Pusch Peak did not burn. Neither did the Linda Vista trails at the base. I expect those to open up almost right away.

Speculating, I would think that finger Rock and Pima Canyon and probably Pontotoc will open later this summer. Not too many people want to do those very hot south-facing trails before September.

I feel your pain, however. not more than a couple of days ago I was thinking that I'm glad this kind of thing did not happen during that year I lived in Tucson.

[chumley]

The trails in the Superstitions re-opened even though the Sawtooth fire was only at 90% containment. So who knows!?

[SpiderLegs]

@Jim_H - Pusch Peak is in great shape, has a few little spots on the backside and over towards Bighorn Peak. But the Linda Vista trails and the trail up to Pusch Peak remain untouched as of yesterday afternoon when I scoped out the area while on a trip to Target.

I'm concerned about Catalina State Park, it's looked bad over there for the last few days.

[hikerdw]

@chumley I was wondering if they would resend the order early, good to see.