Aravaipa Road and Canyon are Closed

[azbackpackr]

As of Friday Aravaipa has been closed by the BLM, they say indefinitely. Here is the link, however I couldn't open it this evening for some reason:
https://www.blm.gov/az/aravaipa/hikingcalendar.cfm

I also called the ranger station on the west side. The recorded message said that it would be closed indefinitely, that Aravaipa Road was washed out by the flooding. I talked to a guy from Kearney who said the water went over the bridge on Hwy 77 and they had to close the highway for a while, but it's open now. He said he had lived there all his life and that was the first time that ever had happened as far as he knew.

(The east side access has been closed for some time due to private property access issues, I'm told.)

So far I have been unable to find out how soon they think it will re-open. Anyone with any updated info on this please post.

[joebartels]

As of Friday Aravaipa has been closed by the BLM, they say indefinitely.

the road, the canyon or both?

[Davis2001r6]

Sounds like both if they are not issuing permits.

[azbackpackr]

Both. And that link to the BLM website will open now--I couldn't get it to open last night. Some friends of mine and I have permits for Sept 9 & 10, but we don't know if it will re-open in time.

[hikeaz]

In response to azbackpackr's reply:

I quote, from the BLM website currently....

"Arizona On-Line Recreation Permits
Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness
Hiking Availability Calendar
Currently we are not issuing permits for the East entrance due to access issues.
Currently we are not issuing permits for the West entrance due to flooding and flood damage. "

[jkern15674]

How long does it take to grade a road?

[azbackpackr]

Is it STILL closed?! Wow. I talked to the ranger back in August, she did say it would be closed for "a very long time." Apparently there is nothing left of the vegetation in the canyon--big old trees, etc., all gone. This doesn't mean it's not hikeable, though. I don't know how they can get away with closing off public land for this long. What if you were willing to hike the washed out road part?

[JimmyLyding]

I heard that the east road that is closed due to access issues is because of a disgruntled landowner. Turns out her son was arrested in Phoenix for a crime that I don't remember, but I remember it was a pretty serious charge (I think it may have been child molestation, but I really don't remember). Her response was to close the road.