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Sunflower Fire 2012 - Perimeter Map

Firefighter friend posted a video of a new fire that began this morning near Sunflower, south of Payson. They've got two air tankers on it already, so hopefully they get it under control today. With the warm weather coming next week, it will be tougher to fight. Appears to be kicking up quite a bit of smoke.

Besides my friend's video, the only "official" news I could find is here:
( dead link removed )

I looked at this yesterday and indeed, that gate is closed.

Forest Service folks just told me that there are no immediate plans to open the road, but they are hoping to open it by next April. That's all I have heard, no reasons or explanation as to what is going on up there.

I'm going to borrow one of the dozers and road graders off of HWY 87 put on a bright orange vest and take care of this. Give me a couple days go get the road situation taken care of.

@JuanJaimeiii
Can I watch in person this time???

JuanJaimeiii wrote:I'm going to borrow one of the dozers and road graders off of HWY 87 put on a bright orange vest and take care of this. Give me a couple days go get the road situation taken care of.

Other than the orange vest, I believe him.

@Sredfield
My guess is that they're keeping the 4wheelers out of there until they get the mine area cleaned up. I would assume they would like to accomplish this project without scores of good ol' boys getting in the way.

Is the only way into this area right now the infamous Deer Creek TH?

I'm not positive and would like someone in the know to confirm, but I do believe that the Hwy 87 Deer Creek TH/Parking entrance gate and area is also presently closed off? (if open and legal to park and hike, then I would think the Gold Ridge Trail at this Hwy 87 TH would be a better hiking choice in to FR201, then ~2.5mls on FR201 to the Mount Peeley TH).

@Grasshopper

hmmm... it was my understanding that the area was open and it was just a matter of the roads being closed. I hope someone who's driven past recently gives us an answer. The last time I noticed it was roped off, you could see the ribbons from 87 so it should be easy for someone to see driving past. If it's open, then I might finally have an excuse to check off the Gold Ridge. I'd like to see that area one last time before they haul the processing facility out of there .

I will check on the way home... I haven't looked that way in awhile... but it is getting darker out so will have to see...

I was able to see that there is no ribbon going across the road or any barricades blocking the road so you maybe able to park there.. but as to the trails being open didn't go up in the parking area to see if anything was posted there.....

@Dschur
Thankyou!

@Tough_Boots
Deer Creek TH to Sunflower mine is 13+ miles one way. I'd suggest going down the old Beeline (at the Mt Ord turn) and hiking on the ranch trail on the west side of Sycamore creek just after the bridge (assuming 25 is closed). This would be about 3+ miles to the mine.

The gate at Deer Creek at the turnoff from Highway 87 was open when Hank and I drove past it Wednesday morning. Not sure if that is helpful info or not, I think someone had mentioned that it was normally closed and locked. Hank and I made a point to check it when we went by.

Outdoor Lover wrote:The gate at Deer Creek at the turnoff from Highway 87 was open when Hank and I drove past it Wednesday morning. Not sure if that is helpful info or not, I think someone had mentioned that it was normally closed and locked. Hank and I made a point to check it when we went by.

On my way back yesterday Mon-10/1pm, I made the turn into the Deer Creek TH area and drove all the way back into the parking area and Deer Creek Trail 45 TH Start.. I looked for any trail access restriction notices and saw none. From this TH, this area must be "officially" now open for hiking the Deer Creek Trail and all other trails that access up to FR201 and the Mount Peeley TH.

I might have weekend plans, now...

Deer Creek not affected but Peeley, Mormon, West Fork and Little Saddle closed:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 393080.pdf
Map:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 393081.pdf

@mazatzal
The way I read it is you can hike it but you can't camp(36 CFR 261.58(e) you can even hike it naked 36 CFR 261.58(j)...I learned something new by reading today
or am I missing something.

I read it the same way, open to foot traffic but not camping. Guess there is some logic to this, you can walk past that burned out tree but can't sleep under it. Risk reduction? For ATZ hikers that distance is not likely a problem, just takes some time/miles management so you don't wind up at, say, McFarland Canyon at nightfall looking to set up camp.

@rlrjamy @Sredfield
I agree - that's much better than what I thought initially. Thank you.