Medicine Bow - Routt National Forests
Thunder Basin National Grassland

USDA Forest Service
Medicine Bow-Routt
National Forests,
Thunder Basin
National Grassland
2468 Jackson Street
Laramie, WY 82070
307-745-2300

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
307-745-2307

News Release

USDA Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Region
Medicine Bow & Routt National Forests,
Thunder Basin National Grassland

Contact: Larry Sandoval, 307-745-2337
Diann Ritschard, 970-870-2187

 

Winter Logging Operations Possible

(Laramie Wyo. November 25, 2008) -- In response to the mountain pine beetle epidemic, some winter logging may occur on the Laramie Ranger District of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests.

This could mean that some snowmobile trails might not receive early season grooming, or that portions of select trails could be temporarily closed. Grooming can start in early December, depending on snowfall and funding.

"We are trying to effectively balance our beetle response with other valid uses on the National Forest, such as recreation," said Larry Sandoval, Laramie District Ranger. "We certainly appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation when these uses overlap."

Wyoming State Trails program manager Brad Hill reminds snowmobilers to be mindful of logging operations and associated heavy equipment traffic. "For the safety of snowmobilers and loggers, please do not operate snowmobiles on plowed logging roads and do not park vehicles or trailers on plowed logging roads," Hill said.

Specific potential impacts to trails that are identified on the Southeast Wyoming State Trails Snowmobile Map are outlined below.

• Up to December 15, snowplowing and logging may occur along portions of the B and Q trails. Specifically, about a 2 ½ mile section of the B trail near Dry Park heading north to the intersection with the Q Trail, and about 2 miles of the Q trail heading east to Albany may be impacted. After December 15 logging operations are not permitted along the Q trail.
• Throughout the winter snowplowing and logging operations may occur along the B trail south of Dry Park to the intersection of National Forest System Road (NFSR) 524. However, if snowplowing and logging operations do occur along this section of the B trail, access to and from the Wold/Tics and Mountain Home parking areas and WyColo Lodge will be maintained via the T trail. At no time will the access to these parking areas or WyColo Lodge be shut down due to logging. The B trail, the T trail or both will be open to ensure access.

For more information about these trails please contact District Ranger, Larry Sandoval, at the Laramie Ranger District (307-745-2337).

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Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests Thunder Basin National Grassland

2468 Jackson Street, Wyoming 82070-6535

www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr