Due to heavy rains and saturated soils the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland officials closed a portion of the Canyon Lakes Ranger District last week. Now that State Highway 14 within the Poudre Canyon has reopened, so too have some of our facilities and land.
The area that has opened up includes most lands and facilities located north of Highway 14, as well as areas within 1/2 mile south of Highway 14. Some select areas remain closed and those will be signed and/or gated. This includes the Young Gulch Trail, Stevens Gulch Day Use, and Upper Landing Day Use. Please respect this and all signed closures. They are in place for public safety and to allow for rehabilitation efforts. For reopened campgrounds, no water is available.
Additional areas not originally included in the order that are now closed due to moderate to extensive damage include 7-Mile Road (FSR 225), Kelly Flats Road (FSR 168), and Chicken Park Road (FSR 181) and spurs.
A map of the closed area, along with other flood information, is available online at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/flood2013.
Please note that Crown Point Road is open, but nothing further south along the Pingree Park Road is.
It is expected that as our employees continue to assess the situation on the Forest additional areas may open, as well as new areas added to the closure. Additional rain or snow could also impact conditions of currently opened areas. Please continue to check our flood website or follow us on Twitter @usfsclrd.
Although these areas are open, the Forest continues to discourage all travel and activities on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. The current condition of many of the forest roads is unknown until our initial assessment is completed. Please use caution in all rain affected areas and travel only when necessary. Road status and closure information be found at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/roads.
Remember, your safety is your responsibility. Continue to check the web for the latest information on road closures and conditions. If you encounter an unsafe situation on a road or trail that is open, please stop and turn around.