Memorial Day weekend update on campgrounds and roads
May 23, 2014
Info from the Bridger-Teton National Forest for Wyoming Range, Wind River and Hoback areas
Lingering Winter Conditions
Many roads and trails on the Bridger-Teton National Forest are wet or snow patchy, have fallen rock, or are still impassable. With ongoing winter storm warnings, avalanche warnings, and the warm temperature changes, visitors to the Bridger-Teton need to understand the capabilities of their vehicles and that road conditions change as the weather changes. Visitors to the Bridger-Teton should also be aware of additional hazards such as ice dams, washed out roads and trails, and flash flooding.
Campgrounds beginning to open, some still closed
The Bridger-Teton National Forest has many campgrounds opening on time for Memorial Day weekend. Late winter conditions mean that a number of campgrounds will not be open in time for the big holiday weekend. Access to others might be challenging. Not all areas have been cleared of fallen rocks on the roads or removal of hazard trees. Use caution getting into areas and check your camp spot for any potential looming hazards. Use proper food storage precautions when camping to avoid attracting wildlife to your camp area. Information on the campgrounds is available on the Bridger-Teton National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/btnf.
No Fire Restrictions
No fire restrictions are currently in place. Visitors are asked to be very careful with fires at all times.
No Fireworks allowed
The Bridger-Teton National Forest reminds visitors that fireworks are not permitted anywhere on the Forest at any time.
Pinedale area campgrounds
Fremont Lake Campground CLOSED Fremont Lake Campground will be closed due to construction until mid to late summer if work is completed early. Please call the Pinedale Ranger District at 307-367-4326 for information on the status of this site.
Half Moon Lake Campground: OPEN. This campground is situated just off the northeast shore of Half Moon Lake. Each site provides a picnic table and a fire ring; the campground provides two double vault toilets, trash dumpster, boat launch nearby, and a small beach. No drinking water available. Proper food storage is required. Near the east end of Pinedale, turn north-east on Fremont Lake road. Continue on main road for approx. 10 miles to Half Moon Lake Road. Turn right onto road and continue for approx. 2 miles to campground access road. Some reservable campspots.
Trails End Campground: CLOSED. Upper Skyline Drive/Elkhart Park is still inaccessible due to snow covering the road. Road is open to just past White Pine Ski area.
Boulder Lake Campground OPEN. 25 miles southeast of Pinedale on the east end of Boulder Lake, near Boulder Creek. There are 15 sites available, each are equipped with a picnic table, fire ring and a lantern holder. 2 vault toilets. There is no drinking water available onsite and proper food storage is required. Non-reservable sites. $7/Night for single unit
Green River Lakes Campground: CLOSED. There are still 7 foot snow drifts blocking this road. Campground is located on Lower Green River Lake. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. Campground has four vault toilets, drinking water(no hook-ups) and 4 sites with bear resistant food storage containers. On-site campground hosts. Proper food storage is required. This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at http://www.recreation.gov/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=73793&topTabIndex=CampingSpot. $12/Night for single unit, $35/Night for group site
Whiskey Grove Campground: CLOSED. There are still 7 foot snow drifts blocking this road.
New Fork Lake Campground: OPEN. Located just off the southwest shore of Lower New Fork Lake. Each site provides a picnic table and a fire ring. The campground provides two double vault toilets. No drinking water is available onsite. Proper food storage is required. This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at http://www.recreation.gov/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70100&topTabIndex=CampingSpot
The Narrows Campground OPEN. Located just off the northwest corner of Lower New Fork Lake and near the "Narrows", the strait between the upper and lower lakes. Each site provides a picnic table and a fire ring. The campground provides two single vault toilets, and has on-site campground hosts. Proper food storage is required. Drinking water is not available at this time. This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at http://www.recreation.gov/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71703&topTabIndex=CampingSpot.
Willow Lake Campground: OPEN. This campground is located on the south shore of Willow Lake, 14 miles north of Pinedale. This is an undeveloped campground. The campground has picnic tables, a boat launch, and pit toilets. It receives minimal levels of maintenance. Proper Food Storage is required. Non-reservable. No fee.
Big Sandy Campground CLOSED. Road still blocked by snow.
Big Piney Ranger District Campgrounds:
Not all areas have been checked by the Forest Service yet to give a complete update. Note that access to campgrounds has not been verified yet. None have water yet. Hazard trees have not yet been cleared. Enter at your own risk.
Snider Basin Accessible, but road in has a lot of rocks on the surface from slides. These have not yet been cleared. Use caution and your own best judgment on access. Hazard trees have not yet been cleared from roads or trails.
Sacajawea Camground: CLOSED. Not yet accessible due to snow and road conditions. No water.
Middle Piney Lake: Open IF you can get in there. Possibly may still have patches of snow, potholes, rocks on the road. No water. Use your own best judgment on whether to proceed with access depending on the conditions you encounter on the way.
Greys River Ranger District:
Campgrounds, where accessible, are beginning to open. The gate at Allred Flats is open and restrooms stocked, although garbage cans will not be in place until the week of May 19th. Water is not yet tested, it is recommended to boil the water 5 minutes prior to use. Snow is still blocking access to the Cottonwood Lake area and to Forest Park Campground. Please call the District office at 307-886-5300 for updates.
Hoback area:
Little Granite Creek Road-#30505: CLOSED. The road is gated closed until the remaining snow and standing water along the entire road surface has dried out.
Granite Creek Road-#30500: CLOSED. This road is gated closed until the remaining snow and standing water along the upper road surface has dried out. CAUTION: the Granite Hot Springs Pool is currently closed to the public. The scheduled opening is still uncertain due to an avalanche of snow and debris obstructing the road. The upper portion of the Granite Creek road remains buried under approximately three feet of snow. In addition, a large amount of avalanche debris containing trees is still covering the road. The lingering snow and debris is preventing access to Granite Hot Springs. Forest personnel are closely monitoring road conditions and posting updates on the Bridger-Teton National Forest website. The road and Hot Springs will open as soon as the road is passable and pre-season maintenance can be performed.
Kozy Campground CLOSED. Will not open by Memorial Day.
|
