{"id":22268,"date":"2020-04-06T09:57:02","date_gmt":"2020-04-06T15:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skyhinews.com\/?p=64082"},"modified":"2020-04-06T09:57:02","modified_gmt":"2020-04-06T15:57:02","slug":"forest-service-monitors-forest-access-points-but-doesnt-anticipate-new-major-closures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/krky\/local-news\/forest-service-monitors-forest-access-points-but-doesnt-anticipate-new-major-closures\/","title":{"rendered":"Forest Service monitors forest access points but doesn\u2019t anticipate new, major closures"},"content":{"rendered":"
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State parks and National Forest Service land remain open, as pictured in Frisco on Friday, March 27, but all campgrounds and their associated facilities, such as toilets, cabins and group sites, are closed to the public until further notice. <\/strong>
Liz Copan \/ ecopan@summitdaily.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

DILLON \u2014 Closures of National Forest land including ski areas and recreation facilities like toilets and group sites are closed, but the Forest Service has left some recreation \u2014 mainly hiking and cross-country skiing trails \u2014 open for local residents to get outside during the novel coronavirus quarantine. However, the Forest Service still asks people to use their best judgment when recreating so that individuals don\u2019t become \u201cpart of the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

White River National Forest Mountain Sports Program Manager Roger Poirier said that while the trails are generally open aside from a few highly trafficked trails or recreation areas like Sapphire Point. While Sapphire Point trail is open, the toilet is closed and the site is closed to group use reservations through April 30. Other nearby recreation areas, like Hanging Lake Trail, are closed. The Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area cannot be publicly accessed from Interstate 70 and parking is closed, although the area is open from the Redcliff and Camp Hale access points.<\/p>\n

Poirier recommended calling the local ranger for a forest area to ask about trail condition information regarding snowpack and road access. For Summit County specific information, contact the Dillon Ranger District in Silverthorne, call 970-468-5400 or check the Forest Service\u2019s webpage on the Dillon Ranger District<\/a><\/i> for updates. <\/p>\n

Poirier said that campgrounds in the area wouldn\u2019t typically be open this time of year anyway as they don\u2019t open until late spring normally. Many campsite and other recreation area reservations are currently on hold as the Forest Service, like everyone else, does not know how long the public health risk from COVID-19 will last. <\/p>\n

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