NEW S RELEASE

NATIO NAL FORESTS IN UTAH

For Immediate Release CONTACT: Kathy Jo Pollock (801) 558-8016 http://fs.usda.gov/uwcnf

2013 MEMORIAL DAY FOREST SERVICE CAMPGROUND STATUS AND SAFETY TIPS SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, May 23, 2013 Its time to gather up the kids and the camping gear and head to your favorite camping spot. Memorial Day weekend is the kick off for the summer to come, and traditionally is a very busy weekend at campgrounds and picnic areas on the national forests of Utah. Most campgrounds are now open throughout the state. Higher-elevation campgrounds, roads and trails may still be snow covered or muddy, leaving these areas vulnerable to damage. Safety is always a concern. Rivers, streams and creeks are running very high and fast and are extremely dangerous. Please be careful and keep a watchful eye on children and pets while recreating in these areas. Off-highway vehicle users are reminded to ride only where permitted. Remember to always be a responsible rider. If you are planning to use livestock on National Forest lands, remember that you are permitted to use only certified weed free straw, hay or pellets. When hiking, always carry extra water and food and take along a coat and something to make a fire with, just in case you get stuck on the mountain for the night and in case the weather turns bad. Always, let someone know where you are hiking and approximately what time you will return and dont hike alone. As always, please be careful with fire and always check to find out if fire restrictions are currently in place; always clear flammable vegetation and debris 5 feet away from the fire ring; always have a full bucket of water close to the campfire; always have a shovel on hand and available; always have an adult present; never have a campfire when it is windy, hot, and dry and always make sure your campfires are dead out before leaving the campsite. Most importantly, enjoy your national forests! Follow us on Twitter, hash tag #UintaWasatchCacheNF The following is a listing of Forest Service campgrounds that will be open for Memorial Day weekend. Before heading out for the holiday weekend please check with the local Ranger District offices for the most current and up-to-date information concerning the area you are planning to visit.

Ashley National Forest (435) 789-1181 or http://www.fs.usda.gov/ashley Vernal Ranger District (435) 789-1181: Vernal RD: Only Whiterocks and Iron Springs areas will be open for Memorial Day weekend. The Yurts wont be open until June first. All yurts and cabins may be reserved online at www.reserveamerica.com Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area (435) 784-3445: All campgrounds are open with pees except Spirit Lake, Greendale East Group, Jarvis Canyon, Dutch John Draw and Red Springs. Visitors using the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area will have to pay a use fee. Day passes are $5, seven-day passes are $15 and annual passes are $35. Passes are available in Manila Utah and in Evanston, Rock Springs and Green River Wyoming and local businesses in and around the Flaming Gorge area. If you are staying in a developed campground in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area you are not required to pay the use fee. Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger Districts (435) 738-2482: All campgrounds are open with fees except Spirit Lake and Avintaquin. Blind stream pass will not be open. Please call the Ranger District for more info on roads and campgrounds. Dixie National Forest (435) 865-3700 or http://www.fs.usda.gov/dixie Pine Valley Ranger District (435) 688-3246: For the most current information about these campgrounds, call the St. George Interagency Office at: (435) 688-3246. Cedar City Ranger District (435) 865-3700: All campgrounds and picnic areas will be open with water and fees for Memorial Day weekend. Please call the Cedar City Ranger District for the most recent information. Powell Ranger District (435) 676-9300: Red Canyon, Coyote Hollow Equestrian and King Creek campgrounds are open with all available amenities. Please call the District office for current information. Escalante Ranger District (435)-826-5400: All campgrounds will be open with fees and water. Please call the Escalante Ranger District or the Visitors Center for the most recent information. The Visitors Center is open five days a week, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors center (435)-826-5499.

Fishlake National Forest (435) 896-9233 or http://www.fs.usda.gov/fishlake Beaver Ranger District (435) 438-2436: Little Cottonwood, Mahogany Cove, Kents Lake and Little Reservoir campgrounds, and Ponderosa picnic area will be open with water and fees. City Creek campground will be open with no water or fees. LeBaron and Anderson Meadow campgrounds will likely not be open. Most roads and trails are open. For current conditions contact the Beaver Ranger District at (435) 438-2436 Fillmore Ranger District (435) 743-5721: Maple Grove, Oak Creek, Adelaide and Maple Hollow campgrounds will be open with water and fees. Some roads and trails at higher elevations are closed due to snow and wet muddy conditions. Contact the Fillmore Ranger District for the most current information.

Fremont River Ranger District (435) 836-2800: All campgrounds are open with fees. Boulder Top road will be closed until approximately June 16, 2012. Please call the Fremont River Ranger District Office for the most current and up to date information. Richfield Ranger District (435) 896-9233: Gooseberry campground and Monrovian picnic area will be open for the holiday weekend. Manti-LaSal National Forest (435) 637-2817 or http://www.fs.usda.gov/mantilasal Price (435) 637-2817 and Ferron Ranger District (435) 384-2372: Joes Valley campground is open with fees. High elevation roads are gated or closed due to snow. Please contact the district for up-to-date information. Sanpete Ranger District (435) 283-4151: Maple Canyon, Twin Reservoir, and Chicken Creek campgrounds are open with fees. High elevation roads are gated and or closed due to snow. Please contact the district for up-to-date information. Moab Ranger District (435) 259-7155: Warner Lake, Oowah Lake and Buckeye Reservoir campgrounds are open with fees. All roads are open except, Geyser Pass, La Sal Pass and Miners Basin Roads. Burro Pass and Moonlight Meadows bike trails will remain closed due to snow. Monticello Ranger District (435) 587-2041: All campgrounds are open with fees. All major roads are open except, North Creek Pass Road. Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (801) 236-3400 or (801) 342-5100 http://www.fs.usda.gov/uwcnf Pleasant Grove Ranger District (801) 785-3563: Hope, Mount Timpanogos, Timpooneke, Little Mill and Granite Flat campgrounds will be open with fees, except Altamont. The Alpine Scenic Loop (USR 92) will be open for the Memorial Day weekend. Tibble Fork road is open to Mineral Basin, but Tibble Fork Road to Silver Lake Road is closed. The Squaw Peak road is open to Rock Canyon. The North Fork road is open, but no trailers will be allowed as there is limited turn around space. Trails in American Fork Canyon are open to bicycles, motorized vehicles and livestock. A recreation pass is required for the American Fork Canyon-Alpine Scenic Loop area and is available at Forest Service offices or at the entrance stations to the Scenic Loop. The special use fee is $6.00 for a one three-day pass per vehicle, $12.00 for a 7 day pass and $45.00 for the annual pass. Trails Update for the Pleasant Grove Ranger District: Trails Associated with the Wet Trail Closure (Trails closed to all uses except hiking) will be open starting 5/23/2013 This includes: Mill Canyon 040, Tibble Fork 041, Salamander Flat 150, Ridge Trail 157, Mud Springs 173, Willow Hollow 159, South Fork Little Deer Creek 252 There may be small wet sections still, please travel through these areas respectfully to reduce trail damage

Thank you to all who have adhered to the wet trail closure this year, the trails are in great shape!

Wilderness Trails: Timpanogos will still have significant snow and possible snow bridges crossing river drainages, people are cautioned not to continue past their skill level for traveling on snow and to have the appropriate gear needed for snow travel. As you are planning trips this summer for the Lone Peak or Mount Timpanogos Wilderness Areas please remember: o 15 Person Group Size limitation o No camp fires in the entire Mount Timpanogos Wilderness or the Silver Lake Basin of the Lone Peak Wilderness o Shortcutting switchbacks is prohibited, stay on the main trail to reduce trail damage and erosion and to increase your safety. Other trail updates: The front country trails (Bonneville Shoreline, Dry Canyon, Battle Creek, Grove Creek) are clear of snow and open (There may be some intermittent snow on the higher end of these trails) Upper country trails that are not part of the wet trail closures will most likely still have snow and wet sections. Please avoid using these trails if they are wet to avoid causing damage. Avoid using any trails for a day or possibly two after any significant rain fall so that they have adequate time to dry. Volunteer Opportunity: National Trails Day is June 1st; we will have two volunteer projects that day, contact Gary Gray at [email protected] or call 801-796-4886 for project details and to sign up. Maps: For the AF Canyon Trail Map and Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/uwcnf/maps-pubs, MVUMs are there for all the Districts, under Miscellaneous Maps is where you can find the AF Canyon Trail Map. Trail Descriptions: For trail descriptions on the Pleasant Grove Ranger District visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/uwcnf/recarea/?recid=8988 search under activities at the bottom of the page. Spanish Fork Ranger District (801) 798-3571: Diamond, Maple Bench, Payson Lakes, Tinney Flat, and Whiting campgrounds are open with water and fees. Balsam, Bear Canyon, Blackhawk, Cherry, Maple Lake, and Ponderosa campgrounds are open with fees, but no water. Vernon Reservoir and Cottonwood campgrounds are open with no water or fees. Pole Heaven will open today. The Nebo Loop Scenic Byway is open 16 miles on the north side within Payson Canyon, and on the south side (Nephi) it is open only 6 miles.

Logan Ranger District (435) 755-3620: All campgrounds and picnic areas will be open with fees, for the holiday weekend, except Tony Grove. Low elevation roads and trails are open and dry. The gates in High Creek and Green Canyon will be open for the weekend and possibly the first gate at Temple Fork. All other mid-elevation gates Cowley/Herd, Temple Fork, Forestry Camp, and Pole Hollow) will remain closed, but scheduled to open on June 1st. Upper elevation roads (Marie Springs, Twin Creek and Dip Hollow) are still closed with gates scheduled to open on June 15th. The best opportunities for dispersed camping will be in Franklin Basin, Providence Canyon and limited camping may be available along the Hardware Ranch to Sinks Scenic Backway. The yearly Mountain Man Rendezvous will be in the Lefthand Fork of the Blacksmith Fork over the holiday, so expect crowds if camping there. Ogden Ranger District (801) 625-5306: All campgrounds are open with fees, except Monte Cristo. The Avon to Liberty road is also open. Please TREAD LIGHTLY and avoid traveling on roads when muddy. Salt Lake Ranger District (801) 466-6411: Spruces and Tanners Flat campgrounds will be open with water and fees on Friday, May 24, 2013. Storm Mountain, Ledgemere, Birches and Dogwood picnic areas in Big Cottonwood Canyon are open with fees but no water. Upper, Main and South areas in Box Elder, Churchfork, Terraces and Maple Grove picnic sites are open with fees, but no water. The gate to Doughnut Falls will open on Thursday, May 23, 2013 Remember Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are Salt Lake City Municipal Watersheds and dogs are not allowed in these canyons. Mueller Park picnic area in Davis County is open with water and fees. Fernwood picnic area in Layton is open with water and fee. Farmington Canyon Road is open to the intersection with Francis Peak and Skyline Drive. Ward Canyon road is still closed. Cottonwood, Intake and Boy Scout campgrounds are now open and on Friday, May 24th Lower and Upper Narrows and Loop campgrounds will open in South Willow Canyon (Stansbury Mountains, west of Tooele and Grantsville) are open with fees but no water. Heber-Kamas Ranger District (435) 654-0470 or (435) 783-4338: All campgrounds and picnic areas within the Heber area are open with water and fees, except Mill Hollow and Wolf Creek, which are still closed due to snow. Lodgepole Campground has no drinking water and no RV Dump. Porta- Potties are in Loop A, but Flush Toilets in Loop B. The Strawberry Visitor Center will be open 7 days a week starting May 31, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Installation of new Courtesy and Break Water Docks at Strawberry Bay Boat Ramp are complete. Wolf Creek Pass (Utah SR 35) is now open. The Mirror Lake Highway (Utah SR 150 from Kamas, Utah to Evanston, Wyoming is still closed due to snow as of May 23rd. Yellow Pine, Cobblerest, Lower Provo, Shady Dell, Soapstone (water only in the top loop), Ledgefork (lower loop only) and Smith & Morehouse campgrounds located within the Kamas area are open with fees. All high elevation lakes are still frozen and inaccessible. Visitors parked or camping along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway must display a fee pass. One to three day passes are $6.00, seven day passes are $12.00, and annual passes are $45.00. Passes can be purchased at the Kamas Work Center, Heber-Kamas Ranger District Office, Evanston Ranger District, and local business in Kamas, Utah and Evanston, Wyoming.

Evanston/Mountain View Ranger Districts (307) 789-3194 or (307) 782-6555: Evanston: Most campgrounds on the Evanston Ranger District will have sites available. Some site may be too wet to camp in. Lyman Lake campground will not be open. No water will be on in the campgrounds. Fees will be charged at a reduced rate. The Bear River Ranger Station will not be open for Memorial Day weekend. The planned opening date is Thursday, May 30, 2013. Early season hours will be Thursday Monday 8-12, 1230-430 for most of June. The ranger station will be closed June 10 June 13 for orientation/training. July Labor Day hours will be Sunday Thursday 8-12, 1230-430, Friday Saturday 8-6. Conditions as of May 22: Whitney Reservoir is not accessible. Elizabeth Pass is not open. Lyman Lake is not open. The Lily Lake Dump Station will not be open. Mountain View: Stateline and Deadhorse Trailhead campgrounds are open with fees and no water. Hoop Lake, Bridger and East Marsh campgrounds may be open Friday, May 24th. Trails above 9000 feet are wet, muddy or snow covered. Forest crews are doing maintenance work to remove dead trees is some campgrounds, so please look up and around before choosing a campsite. Visitors recreating or primitive camping along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway must display a fee pass. 1-3 Day passes are $6.00, 7-day passes are $12.00 and annual passes are $45.00. Passes are no longer needed in developed (concessionaire ran) campgrounds. Passes can be purchased at Forest Service Offices in Kamas, Utah; Evanston, Wyoming; local business in Kamas, and the Bear River Lodge.

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