SEELEY LAKE – Spring is here and the Seeley Lake Ranger District is interested in providing some flexibility to the existing Motorized Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) on roads designated as closed Dec. 1 – April 30.
“We want to allow the public some level of early access where roads are open and dry and where resource damage will not occur while at the same time recognizing we have limited capacity to check conditions and install/move temporary signs,” said Seeley Lake District Ranger Rachel Feigley.
The MVUM is part of a national effort to display access related restrictions on Forest Service lands to the public.
The May 1 opening date is practical and ensures resource protection in most years, but in years with mild winters, some roads are open and dry so that wheeled vehicle use is possible and does not cause resource damage.
Feigley said, “Minimizing resource damage and associated road maintenance costs is a high priority for the District. We hope that our communities and forest visitors can understand these concerns - extra work is required to fix rutted and damaged roads and can cause negative consequences of increased sediment in streams.”
Enforcement of seasonal access on ungated roads is also very challenging. The public is asked to be aware of closures, understand why they are in place and respect them. Likewise, it is also important that the Forest Service recognizes the public desire for vehicular access to enjoy their National Forests if conditions permit.
For these reasons the Seeley Lake Ranger District is proposing an early 2016 opening for the following roads:
Cottonwood Lakes Rd (477) – Open to the gun range on the west side. Closed beyond the gun range until May 1. Open to Monture Cabin on the east side and closed beyond that point until May 1.
Morrell Clearwater Rd (4353) – Open to Morrell Falls/Pyramid (FSR 4364) turnoff and open to the Morrell Falls Trailhead. Closed until May 1 past the turn off to the falls (FSR 4381) to Pyramid Pass Trailhead and also on 4353 past turn off to Falls/Pyramid.
Rice Ridge Rd (720) – Open to the turnoff to Auggie Morrell (FSR 4361) cut across. Auggie Morrel loop open all the way back to Rd 4353.
West Side Bypass Rd (2190) – Open all the way through from Fawn Creek Rd to Dogtown. All Forest Service roads off of 2190 remain closed until May 1.
Horseshoe Hills Rd (from gravel pit off Hwy 83) – Open to gate above Big Sky Lake.
If there are questions related to these access changes please contact the Seeley Lake Ranger District at 406-677-2233.
MVUM maps are free and available at the Ranger Station. Knowledge and use of this map is important and we ask that all of our forest visitors be aware of and familiar with these maps. Please also note that these decisions may change based on road conditions. We hope to provide this flexibility on an annual basis and appreciate the public’s cooperation and input associated with this effort.
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