Forest Service: “Don’t Rush The Season”

The sparse snow cover at the lower elevations, as trails begin to thaw and become more accessible, has some recreationists trying to push springtime activities earlier on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.  However, Forest Spokesman Mary Cernicek points out that roads and trails are still closed to protect resources.  Cernicek says by pushing the season, the roads and trails can get rutted to where they are virtually impassable for the summer months, and it is very difficult to get all of the trails and roads restored to usable condition.  Instead, she urges forest users to limit their access to those roads and trails until things dry out a little bit.  Additionally, Cernicek says the winter range closures remain in effect through May first.  She explains that those closures are in place because of the negative effects of any kind of encroaching human activity can have on the ungulate population there while they are recovering from the winter months – and especially on the pregnant mothers who could lose their calves if the mothers get stressed out. Cernicek reminds forest users that minimizing impacts on the forest roads and trails now will ensure they are in the best possible shape when summer arrives – especially during a year that financial resources to maintain them are very short.