Wallow Fire area opening a lot of roads and trails.

[azbackpackr]

Current open and closed areas, including trails, roads, campgrounds, etc., in the area of the Wallow Fire. I'll try to remember to repost as areas continue to open up. Or someone else can do that if I forget:

Springerville RD: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 316299.pdf
Alpine RD: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 316295.pdf
Clifton RD: All open.

Alpine currently has the most closures. Keep in mind that some areas may not be opened for several years. Don't count on Escudilla any time soon, for example. Around Greer the two prettiest trails, East Fork and West Fork, plus the Thompson Trail and West Fork of Black River Trail, all closed.

Hiking Wrightson this past weekend I saw the very best of what wildfire can do, with vigorous regrowth within several years. Some areas may experience this, others may not. Lots of determining factors.

[azbackpackr]

The A-S website has a confusing array of info, and some of their PDF pages are not being updated. For instance, while the AZG&FD says that Caldwell Cabin is open, the A-S says it is closed. Of course, they do urge people to call the district ranger office to ask for updated information. In the past, though, you might get someone on the phone who doesn't really know, so they are looking at the same website you are, which may not have been updated.

I am sure they are scrambling, and very busy with all that has happened, but wish they would update in a more logical manner. The A-S also has at least one link to updated info that doesn't open when you click on it. Basically, I think their website is kind of a confusing mess.

[azbackpackr]

A couple friends of mine drove the road around behind Escudilla, said it didn't burn on that side. It's the New Mexico side. It's always been a very pretty drive, glad it's still pretty.

[azbackpackr]

Here are some updates on open trails. Notice, though, that Fish Creek (my favorite) and Escudilla are still closed. I am glad to see, however, that Mainstem Black River is open. In the Springerville District they've opened Overland, RR Grade, part of Indian Springs, and South Fork, all with advisories to be on the lookout for falling trees. I did hike South Fork a few days ago. I need to post up my photos so you can see the fire damage there.

Alpine District: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 316295.pdf
Springerville District: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 316299.pdf

[Jim]

Escudilla will probably be closed for several years, and should be. It needs time for the plants to grow and the snags to fall over. They ought to kill the Elk out there, too, to allow for aspen regeneration. They ought to kill the Elk on the Peaks, too, for aspen regeneration, but Elk seem to have some sort of protected status.

[azbackpackr]

Updates as of MAY 5, 2012 (almost a year since the fire began):

1. Escudilla Trail is going to be prepared by the Forest Service to reopen fairly soon. One thing that needs to be done is to put up a fence around what's left of the fire tower, since it is a safety hazard. A volunteer work group from the White Mountain Conservation League will help FS personnel with putting up the fence. This is to be on May 19. I am not sure they are taking non-members as volunteers. Check out their website, see what they're about, send the organizer an email if you are interested. I may be there, but it's the day before the eclipse, and I may be on my way to where I'm going to watch the eclipse. Or, I may be having a yard sale that day.

2. Updated list of Springerville Ranger District trails and campgrounds that are open (most of them are open):
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 366560.pdf

3. Alpine RD page: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/asnf/rec ... &actid=101

4. Map of which campgrounds and rec areas are open, forest-wide: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 365447.pdf

5. Apache-Sitgreaves general website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf

[azbackpackr]

Please note, this is an old thread I'm posting on. If people want newer info about where to hike in eastern White Mountains since the Wallow Fire, I've been traveling the roads and hiking various trails, and will continue to do so throughout the summer. Most places are open now but there are still some closed areas, including Fish Creek/Fish Bench, Milligan Valley, West Fork (of the Black) and other areas. Here is a map and list as of April 2013: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 415280.pdf

I have done a bit of hiking in fire areas which have opened up. You will find Indian Spring Trail #627 to be so different as to be unrecognizable, but the views are better. Down along the Black River the fire seems to have been only a little bit spotty. South Fork Trail #97 is open with some areas burned, others not burned. There is no longer a lake at Mexican Hay. (Some of that has to do with a water rights diversion, it being sent to Greer instead of Mexican Hay.)

A couple weekends ago I drove FR 26 (Beaver Creek Road) to 24, then north on 24 to Buffalo Crossing. Then up the East Fork (276) of the Black River to Williams Valley. Took that road (249) to Big Lake, and then back down SR 261, taking a detour onto FR 409. Despite the fact that over 500,000 acres burned, there is a lot of forest remaining. The fire did not blanket the entire area, but instead hopped around a lot.

FR 24 south of the intersection with FR 26 was closed, and I believe it is still closed. I was told they just can't keep it open due to unstable hillsides--too many landslides. This means that access to the Bear Creek Trail to the Black River is not accessible by vehicle. It doesn't mean you can't hike the Mainstem of the Black. Fish Creek Trail #60 will be closed for a long time, I've been told, but you can walk along the river and hike UP it, which I intend to do at some point.

I'll post up a triplog "scenic drive" with photos as well.

If you are traveling to the eastern White Mountains, please don't hesitate to contact me, and I'll try to point you in the right direction. I wouldn't mind doing some hiking with some HAZzers this summer as well. I hike every Sunday, almost.

[Nighthiker]

Thanks for the info, planning a June visit, may set up base camp at Hoyer or at Big Lake, will be on the west end of the Apache/Sitgreaves starting first weekend in May.

[azbackpackr]

Thanks for the info, planning a June visit, may set up base camp at Hoyer or at Big Lake, will be on the west end of the Apache/Sitgreaves starting first weekend in May.

I'll be around during the week, could drive up after work for short evening hike if you would like to meet me. I could be in Greer by around 4:30 on a weekday. My weekends are booked in May, except for Saturday the 18th is free.

I just posted up a scenic route from April 14, but I should have taken more photos!
http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=24913