Six campgrounds and picnic areas will be temporarily impacted this spring due to efforts related to the mountain pine beetle epidemic, including spraying more than 7,400 trees. Dowdy Lake Campground, open year-round, will be temporarily closed. This closure is anticipated to start at 6 p.m. May 11 through May 16; however could last longer if weather delays spraying.
Contractor crews spray Carbaryl and U.S. Forest Service crews monitor operations and conditions. Spraying is very dependent on calm weather and dry conditions, but expected to start May 12. All spraying is expected to be completed by mid-June; however, forecasted snow may delay operations.
Spraying is planned at these locations:
· Bellaire Campground and Day-use
· Dowdy Campground and Day-use
· Mountain Park Campground and Day-use
· Jacks Gulch Campground
· West Lake Campground and Day-use
· Redfeather Work Center
Approximately 250 conifers will be sprayed in the Cherokee Park and Crown Point areas. These areas will be treated to protect some limber pines found to be resistant to white pine blister rust.
For the latest status of recreation areas, check the web at www.fs.usda.gov/arp or call our visitor information office at 970-295-6700. Also make sure to check the status of roads across the district, as hazard tree cutting activities and flood damage have some roads closed. The Forest Service will try to keep the public updated of changes through our website and/or twitter account at twitter.com/usfsclrd.