Sonora, CA…Forest officials closed Cottonwood Road, known as Forest Route 1N04, between the intersections with Thompson Meadow (FR 2N13) and Reed Creek (FR 3N01S) due to numerous landslides and pavement failures.

Forest Engineer Tim Hughes made the decision to close the road after engineers determined there is an imminent danger of even more severe failures. “This section of Cottonwood Road poses an unacceptable danger to anyone attempting to travel on it. Therefore, the Forest Service has closed the gates at these intersections until the situation is considered more stable,” Hughes said.

Visitors are warned that slides and road failures are a real possibility on any Forest Service road due to the heavy and prolonged rain events. When traveling on Stanislaus National Forest during weather events, please travel at a speed safe for the conditions – you never know what’s around a blind curve; there might be rocks, debris or a tree in the middle of the road.

Contact your local Ranger District office for current information on roads and conditions before traveling on the Forest.

Stanislaus NF Supervisor’s Office: 209-532-3671

Calaveras Ranger District: 209-795-1381

Groveland Ranger District 209-962-7825

Mi-Wok Ranger District at 209-586-3234

Summit Ranger District at 209-965-3434.