July 4th Forest Service Campground Update for Utah

Flooding in Guinavah-Malibu campground June 29, 2011
SALT LAKE CITY, June 30, 2011 – Campgrounds in the five Utah National Forests are expected to be busy over the 4th of July. Most campgrounds have first-come-first serve area available, but they fill up quickly on holidays.

Forest visitors need to adhere to road closure signage or blockades, DO NOT create routes around these closures. This creates an illegal route and damages the resource, and creates a safety hazard for visitors.

Recreation users who plan to take their All Terrain-Vehicles (ATV’s) should contact local Ranger District offices for current information on open roads and trails. Riders should be properly trained and remember to protect the fragile surroundings. Always keep your ATV on designated roads and trails.

Photo of ATV that rolled off a road that was closed due to wet and muddy conditions on the Spanish Fork Ranger District

Higher elevation trails and roads are still wet, muddy and snow covered above 8,000 feet.

When hiking, dress appropriately and be aware of snow bridges and hidden moats on higher elevation trails. Carry extra water, food and take along a coat and matches in case the weather turns bad. Always let someone know where you are hiking and approximately when you will return and never hike alone.

Please keep campfires in the designated fire pits and make sure they are out cold before leaving them unattended. ABSOLUTELY NO FIREWORKS ON NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE SYSTEM LANDS. Have a great holiday on your National Forest and please be safe.

The following is a listing of Forest Service campgrounds that will be open for the Fourth of July holiday:

ASHLEY NATIONAL FOREST (435) 789-1181 or www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley
Duchesne Ranger District (435) 738-2482
All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except Yellowstone, Bridge and Riverview campgrounds which are closed due to flooding. Please call the District for the most current information.

 All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except Skull Creek, Red Springs and Spirit Lake which are closed due to standing water and snow.

If staying in a developed campground in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, you are not required to pay the use fee. Day passes are $5.00, 7 day passes are $15.00 and annual passes are $35.00. 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.

Roosevelt Ranger District (435) 722-5018
 Moon Lake campground is open with water and fees. Please call for the most current information pertaining to all other campgrounds in the Roosevelt Ranger District.

Vernal Ranger District (435) 789-1181
All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except Lodgepole campground, which is still closed.

DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST (435) 865-3700 or www.fs.fed.us/r4/dixie

Cedar City Ranger District (435) 865-3200
 All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except Yankee Meadows campground which is open with fees, but no water.

Escalante Ranger District (435) 826-5400
All campgrounds are open with water and fees.

Pine Valley Ranger District (435) 652-3100
 All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except Oak Grove campground which will be open with fees but no water all season.

Powell Ranger District (435) 676-9300
All campgrounds are open with water and fees.

FISHLAKE NATIONAL FOREST (435) 896-9233 or www.fs.fed.us/r4/fishlake

Beaver Ranger District (435) 438-2436
All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except LeBaron Lake which is open with fees but no water. Big John Flat will not be open.

Fillmore Ranger District (435) 743-5721
 All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except Oak Creek which will be open with fees and no water.

Fremont Ranger District (435) 836-2811
 All campgrounds are open with water and fees.

Richfield Ranger District (435) 896-9233
 All campgrounds are open with water and fees.

MANTI-LASAL NATIONAL FOREST (435) 637-2817 or www.fs.fed.us/4/mantilasal

Ferron/Price Ranger District (435) 637-2817 or (435) 384-2372
 All campgrounds are open with water and fees except Flat Canyon campground, which is open but with no water. Trough Spring area will not be open for the weekend. Reeder Canyon Trail is closed.

Moab Ranger District (435) 259-7155
All campgrounds are open fees, but no water.

Monticello Ranger District (435) 587-2041
 All campgrounds are open with water and fees.

SanPete Ranger District (435) 283-4151
 All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except 12 Mile which is closed due to snow. Manti Community which will be open with no water but fees will be charged. Maple Canyon campground will be open with fees and does not have a water system. South Skyline Drive is still closed due to snow and 12 Mile Canyon Road is open, but only to the six mile cutoff.

UINTA-WASATCH-CACHE NATIONAL FOREST (801) 236-3400 OR (801) 342-5100 http://fs.usda.gov/uwcnf

Heber-Kamas Ranger District (435) 654-0470 or (435) 783-4338
 Smith Morehouse and the lower loop in Ledgefork campground located along the Weber River drainage are open with water and fees. Ponderosa group, Yellow Pine, Pine Valley group, Soapstone, Shady Dell and Cobble Rest campgrounds located along the Mirror Lake Highway are open with water and fees. Cedar Hollow ATV trail system is open. The Mirror Lake Highway (Utah State Route 150) is open from Kamas to Evanston. Trial Lake, Lily Lake, Lost Lake, Washington Lake, Mirror Lake, Moosehorn, and Butterfly Lake campgrounds, are closed due to snow and Lower Provo and Taylors Fork campgrounds will remain closed due to flooding. Solider Creek, Strawberry Bay, Renegade, Aspen Grove and Current Creek campgrounds are open with water and fees. Lodgepole campground, Loop B is open with water and fees, Loop A is open with fees, but no water. Mill Hollow campground  and reservoir will remain closed due to wet and snowy conditions.

Photo taken on June 23, 2011 of the mud slide on the Farmington Canyon Road

Evanston/Mt. View Ranger District (307) 789-3194 or (307) 782-6555
 East Fork and Bear River campgrounds will be closed, due to flooding. Hayden Fork, Christmas Meadows and Beaver View are open with water and fees. Sulpher campground is open with fees, but no water. The Lilly Lake Dump Station will be CLOSED for the July 4th weekend. Whitney Reservoir is accessible, but use caution, roads and trails are still wet and muddy. Upper Wolverine ATV trail is closed due to flooding. The North Slope road is open to Mckenzie Creek, approximately7 1/2 miles from the Mirror Lake Highway. East Fork of the Bear is open and accessible. The Bear River Ranger Station located on the Mirror Lake Highway is open Thursday through Monday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (435) 642-6662.

Visitors parked or camping along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway must display a fee pass. 3 Day passes are $6.00, 7-day passes are $12.00 and annual passes are $45.00. Passes can be purchased at Forest Service Offices in Kamas, Utah, Evanston, Wyoming and local business in Kamas and Evanston. These passes are also valid in the American Fork Canyon area.

Little Lyman and Stateline campgrounds are open with fees, but no water. Meeks Cabin, Bridger, Marsh and Hoop Lake campgrounds are open with water and fees. Deadhorse ATV trail is open and accessible. Henry’s Fork is accessible to Henry’s Fork Basin, approximately 5 ½ miles from the trailhead, beyond the basin there is standing water and snow and the river is running extremely high.

From Gunsight Pass into Kings Peak will require snowshoes.

Pleasant Grove Ranger District (801) 785-3563
Little Mill campground is open with a fee, but no water. Granite Flat, Mt. Timpanogos and Hope campgrounds are open with water and fees. The majority of the units in Timpooneke campground are open. Altamont and Theater-in-the Pines group sites are open. Rock Canyon campground is closed due to an avalanche. The Silver Lake Flat Road is open to the trailhead. Squaw Peak Road is open approximately 2.5 miles past Hope campground. Mineral Basin, Shaffer, Timpooneke and the North Fork of American Fork Canyon are closed, due to wet and muddy conditions. Cascade Springs is accessible from the Solider Hollow/Midway side ONLY.

A recreation pass is required for the American Fork Canyon-Alpine Scenic Loop area and is available at local Forest Service offices or at the entrance stations to the Scenic Loop. The special use fee is $6.00 for a three-day pass per vehicle, $12.00 for a 7 day pass and $45.00 for the annual pass. These passes are also valid in the Mirror Lake Area.

Spanish Fork Ranger District (801) 798-3571:
All campgrounds are open with water and fees. Maple Bench and Maple Lake campgrounds will be closed through mid-summer due to campground renovation and construction. The Mona Pole road is closed due to snow. The Nebo Loop road is open on the north side to Blackhawk campground and is open on the south side to the junction with Salt Creek Road, while construction crews are repairing the Red Creek slump. Santaquin Canyon road is open from Santaquin to the Nebo Loop Road.

Ogden Ranger District (801) 625-5306
 All campgrounds are open with water and fees, except Jefferson Hunt, due to flooding, and Monte Cristo, due to snow. No ATV trails are accessible on the Ogden Ranger District. All trails within the Wheeler Creek Complex will be open on July 1, 2011.

Logan Ranger District (435) 755-3620
 Box Elder, Spring Hollow, Lodge, and Sunrise campgrounds are open with water and fees. Lewis M. Turner, Friendship and Spring campgrounds are open with fees, but no water. Tony Grove campground is closed due to snow. High Creek, Cowley Canyon/Herd Hollow, West Hodges, Temple Fork, Smithfield Canyon, Millville Peak, Twin Creek, Temple Fork, Dip Hollow-Long Hollow, Marie Springs and Left Hand Fork 4X4 roads are all closed. Worm Fence ATV trail area also closed. All higher elevation roads are still closed due to snow, wet, and muddy conditions. Please contact the Logan Ranger District office for the most current information pertaining to what roads and trails are open.

Salt Lake Ranger District (801) 466-6411Jordan Pines, Spruces and Tanners Flat campgrounds are open with water and fees. Silver Lake Visitor Center is open and only half of the boardwalk is accessible. Little Cottonwood Creek Trail is closed. Redman and Albion Basin campgrounds are closed due to snow. All picnic areas are open with fees. Intake, Cottonwood and Boy Scout campgrounds in South Willow Canyon are open with fees, but no water. Medina Flat picnic area is also open. South Willow Canyon is still closed just above the Boy Scout campground. Lower and Upper Narrow and Loop campgrounds are closed. Ward Canyon Road is open to the intersection with Skyline Drive and Sessions roads. Skyline and Sessions roads will remain closed until conditions support opening them. Farmington Canyon road remains closed due to a major rock slide and may not be accessible until mid to late July. Hikers need to be extra cautious while hiking on higher elevations trails in Mill Creek, and Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, due to wet and muddy conditions.

Remember Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are Salt Lake City Municipal Watersheds and dogs are not allowed in these canyons.

Richfield sets new All-Terrain Vehicle World Record

Richfield – Rocky Mountain ATV Jamboree organizers received official word from the Guinness Book of World Records that it now holds the record for "Largest Parade of ATVs". The new record was set at the 2009 Jamboree with 1,870 machines, easily surpassing the existing record set by the All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota with 1,632 ATVs.

“ATV use is growing all over the country, and with Utah's great trails and destinations, we are at the forefront of that growth as this new record shows,” commented Utah State Parks Deputy Director Fred Hayes. “Successful events like the Rocky Mountain ATV Jamboree show that ATV use on Utah's public lands can be accomplished consistent with other multiple-use efforts.”

OHV Riders reminded to stay on Trails during Hunts

Salt Lake City -- As hunters venture out this fall, Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Specialist Ann Evans offers the following tips to reduce OHV impacts, protect big game and habitat, and improve hunting and recreation experiences.

- Know vehicle use regulations for your hunting area. Contact the local land management agency for OHV travel regulations and information before the hunt.

- Stay on roads and trails designated for OHV use. Do not contribute to resource damage, stress to big game, or habitat destruction by creating illegal travel paths, which others may follow.

- Have respect for other users. Slow down or stop the OHV when approaching others on the trail. When meeting equestrians, approach slowly, pull over and stop, turn off the engine, remove your helmet and ask how best to proceed.

- Limit OHV use in and around campgrounds. Be respectful of other campers’ desires for quiet.

For more information on OHV safety tips and education, please call 800-OHV-RIDE or visit http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/

Plenty of bull elk in Utah

Photo provided by Brent Stettler, DWR

"As soon as the first shots are fired, the elk head away from the roads and into the thickest cover they can find," says Anis Aoude. "If you want to be a successful elk hunter, you need to get into that cover too."

Utah's 2010 general rifle bull elk hunt kicks off Oct. 9, 2010. And permits for the hunt are almost gone. On Sept. 21, 2010, about 1,500 permits to hunt on any-bull units were still available, but they're selling fast. Permits to hunt on spike-only units sold out on Sept. 27.

You can buy an elk permit online at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/. Permits are also available at Division offices and from hunting license agents across Utah.


Elk are doing great
"The weather over the past seven years has been excellent for elk," Aoude says. "Most of the state's herds are doing great."

Based on surveys this past winter, Division biologists estimate the state has more than 67,000 elk. That's only about 1,800 animals shy of a statewide goal of 68,825 elk. Aoude says some of the largest elk herds are found on the Central Mountains (Manti) and Wasatch Mountains units in central Utah; the South Slope, Yellowstone unit in northeastern Utah; and the Plateau, Fish Lake/Thousand Lakes unit in south-central Utah.

He says plenty of elk are also found on the Morgan, South Rich unit in northern Utah. But this unit is almost entirely private land. You must obtain written permission from a landowner before hunting on it.


Finding the elk
Most of Utah's elk hunting takes place on units that are called spike-only units. Spike bulls are the only bulls you may take on these units. Plenty of spike bulls are available on these units. But once the hunt starts, the animals can be tough to find.

"The success rate on spike-only units averages about 16 percent," Aoude says. "Fortunately, you can do several things to increase the chance you take an elk." Unless it gets cold and snowy before the hunt, Aoude says elk will be scattered at higher elevations when the season opens Oct. 9, 2010. He says the key to finding them is to get off the roads and into the backcountry.

"Elk are smart and wary animals," Aoude says. "And they're sensitive to hunting pressure. As soon as the shooting starts, they head into the thickest cover they can find. To find success, you have to head into the backcountry and find them."

The rut (breeding period), which occurs right before the general rifle hunt starts, can also make it challenging to find spike bulls. During the rut, mature bulls gather groups of cow elk to breed. If one of these large bulls sees a spike bull, he'll chase the spike bull off.

If you're new to elk hunting, the big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources has some advice for you. Being chased into cover by the bigger bulls makes the spike bulls, which are already nervous, more apt to head back into the cover once the bullets start to fly.

"The larger bulls scare the spike bulls as much as the hunters do," Aoude says. "Unless you get into the backcountry areas where the spikes are hiding, you're probably not going to see many. "The good news is, if you do get into the backcountry, there's a good chance you'll be among the 16 percent who take a spike bull this year."

OHV maps – don't leave home without one
Aoude has an important reminder for elk hunters who will be using off-highway vehicles. "It's critical that you obtain an OHV riding map for the area you're going to hunt," he says. "These maps are available from the agency that manages the land you'll be hunting on. That agency is usually the U.S. Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management."

Aoude says the Division is receiving more and more complaints about OHVs being taken into areas where it's not legal to take them. "Taking OHVs into these areas damages the habitat the elk rely on, disturbs and scatters the animals, and ruins the hunting experience for other hunters."

Aoude also encourages you to do some preseason scouting and to check the boundary descriptions for the areas you'll be hunting. Boundary descriptions are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/maps.

For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the Division's Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700.

Youth Off-Highway Vehicle Training Course Offered

Salt Lake City – An off-highway vehicle (OHV) education course for youth eight to 15 is available at 9 a.m. Saturday, October 9 at the Jordan River OHV State Recreation Area. Students must first complete the online certification class and receive the youth OHV education card before registering for the course.

This three-hour training provides hands-on instruction covering correct turning postures, braking procedures, handling quick stops and swerves, riding over obstacles and traversing hills. A parent or legal guardian must attend the class and students must provide their own appropriately-sized OHV, helmet and goggles, and wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and over the ankle boots.

Classes are free, but pre-registration is required by calling 1-800-OHV-RIDE.

Youth Off-Highway Vehicle and Personal Watercraft Education Courses now Available Online

Salt Lake City – In an effort to meet growing demand for off-highway vehicle (OHV) and personal watercraft (PWC) youth education courses, Utah State Parks now offers online courses at http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/.

OHV course fees are $30 and cover ATVs, off-highway motorcycles and side-by-side ATVs. PWC courses, which cover JetSki and SeaDoo-type boats, are $34.95, which include a $5 certification fee. Upon successful completion of coursework, students print temporary certificates valid for 60 days and later receive permanent certificates by mail.

Students are strongly encouraged to thoroughly study all materials prior to testing. If they do not pass the course, they must pay a second registration fee to retake the test.

“Safety is our number one concern. We want to reduce accidents by educating youth to operate ATVs and PWC safely, wear safety equipment, and follow laws and rules,” stated OHV/PWC Education Coordinator Ann Evans. “Online courses provide easier access to education courses and allow students to learn at their own pace.”

Utah law requires youth eight to 16 to complete the Utah State Parks Know Before You Go! OHV Education Course before operating a machine on public lands, roads or trails. It is illegal for any child under age eight to operate an OHV on public land.

Utah youth, 12 to 17 years of age, are required to complete and pass the Utah PWC Education Course in order to operate these types of boats without an adult on board. Children younger than 12, may not operate a PWC without a responsible adult on board.

Since the creation of the education courses, approximately 22,000 students have completed the PWC course and more than 60,000 students have taken the OHV course.

For more information, visit http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/, call (800) OHV-RIDE or (800) RIDE PWC.

Boat Rentals available at Yuba State Park

Levan – Yuba State Park now offers boat, personal watercraft and off-highway vehicle rentals through Sequoia Motorsports. This concession service offers daily rentals, camping and boating supplies, and food served from the grill.

Yuba State Park offers boat-in camping, sandy beaches, off-highway vehicle riding, and warm waters for boating. Overnight camping is available in both developed and primitive sites. Reservations are available online at http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/ or by calling (801) 322-3770 within the Salt Lake calling area or toll free at (800) 322-3770.

Yuba State Park and Sequoia Motorsports are located 25 miles south of Nephi at exit 202 off I-15. For more information, please call (435) 758-2611.

Youth-oriented ATV Training Offered at Little Sahara Recreation Area on April 17

Fillmore, Utah—On Saturday, April 17, 2010, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah and Utah State Parks will team up to offer ATV training at the Little Sahara Recreation Area (LSRA) in Juab County. Annually, LSRA provides more than 200,000 visitors with both outstanding recreational opportunities and numerous off-highway vehicle riding opportunities.

Responsible, in-control off-highway vehicle use helps ensure that all LSRA visitors enjoy their time spent at the dunes. BLM Utah and Utah State Parks are promoting safe riding by providing free, youth-oriented training specifically designed to educate young riders. Training sessions will teach proper handling and shifting, riding within one’s ability, weight distribution, and responsible and ethical riding.

Space is limited to only 15 participants per session, and early registration is strongly recommended. On Saturday, April 17, 2010, four two-hour, age-specific sessions will be offered at the following times:

8:00 a.m., ages 8-15
10:00 a.m., ages 8-15
1:00 p.m., ages 8-15
3:00 p.m., ages 16 and up

Prior to signing up for this training, all participants must complete the “Youth ATV/Motorcycle Education” online certification course at http://stateparks.utah.gov/ohv/education .

After completing the online certification course, participants can pre-register for the April 17th training by calling the Little Sahara Visitor’s Center at (435) 433-5960, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Thursday through Monday. Registration will continue on a first-come-first-served basis until all available spots are filled.

In order to take part in the training, participants must have the following items with them:

--Own ATV

--All required safety and riding gear (including helmet, goggles, gloves, long-sleeved shirt and long pants and appropriate footwear)

--Water, food and snacks

--Please note that children under 16 must have completed, signed parental waivers. Before registration can be confirmed, all participants must fax their online ATV certificates and (if required) completed waivers to the Little Sahara Recreation Area Visitors Center at (435) 433-5962. All materials must be received by Thursday, April 15, 2010, at 3:00 p.m.

Youth Off Highway Vehicle and Personal Watercraft Educational Courses available

Salt Lake – In an effort to meet the growing demands for off-highway vehicle (OHV) and personal watercraft (PWC) youth education courses, Utah State Parks has made classes available online at http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/ .

Cost for the OHV class is $30 and covers ATVs, off-highway motorcycles (OHMs) and side-by-side ATVs. The cost of the PWC course, which covers JetSki and SeaDoo-type boats is $34.95, which includes a $5 certification fee. Upon successful completion of the course, students print a temporary certificate valid for 60 days and later receive a permanent certificate by mail.

Students are strongly encouraged to thoroughly study all materials prior to taking the test. Students who do not pass the course, must pay a second registration fee and retake the test.

“Safety is our number one concern. We want to reduce the number of accidents by educating youth to operate ATVs and PWC safely and emphasize the importance of wearing safety equipment, and following laws and rules,” stated OHV/PWC Education Coordinator Ann Evans. “Online courses provide easier access to education courses and allow students to learn at their own pace.”

Utah law requires youth eight to 16 to complete the Utah State Parks Know Before You Go! OHV Education Course before operating a machine on public lands, roads or trails. It is illegal for any child under age eight to operate an OHV on public land.

Utah youth, 12 to 17 years of age, are required to complete and pass the Utah PWC Education Course in order to operate PWC (Jet Ski, Wave Runner, Sea-Doo) without an adult on board. Children who are younger than 12, may not operate a PWC without a responsible adult onboard.

Since the creation of the education courses, approximately 22,000 students have completed the PWC course and over 60,000 students have taken the OHV course.

For more information, visit stateparks.utah.gov, call (800) OHV-RIDE or (800) RIDE PWC.