Sonora, CA…With Labor Day weekend upon us, visitors to the Stanislaus National Forest will enjoy a final weekend of summer recreation. While visitors can still enjoy activities like camping, backpacking, and picnicking in the great outdoors of both the forest and Yosemite National Park, extreme temperatures and increased fire danger remain the order of the day.

Parts of Calaveras and Summit ranger districts remain closed to the public due to the Donnell Fire. Visitors are reminded that Highway 108 is open for through traffic only – please do not stop between Eagle Meadow Road (5N01) and Sonora Pass. All trailheads and camping areas in this area remain closed. The fire is continuing to burn in the eastern and northeastern sections of the forest, toward the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Although Carson-Iceberg Wilderness is closed, visitors with a wilderness permit may hike and camp into the Emigrant Wilderness from around Kennedy Meadows. Visitors are cautioned that the Pacific Crest Trail remains closed between Sonora Pass and Ebbetts Pass.

We urge safety and preparedness when traveling this holiday in wildland areas. Remember, Know Before You Go, especially around the fire areas. Be sure you know how to react if you find yourself on the forest near a fire. Check with Forest ranger staff or firefighters in your area to learn more. Be aware that smoke may be present around the Forest this weekend and that everyone in your group is prepared for that.

Be especially aware of fire equipment and firefighters as you drive on the forest. There is road and equipment repair underway, in addition to fighting the fire.

Forest Orders STF-16-2018-02 and STF-16-2018-03 prohibit campfires, cook stoves and smoking outside developed campgrounds, except in the developed recreation sites in moderate and high fire hazard areas. To see the guidelines visit https://go.usa.gov/xUhGB.

Camping:

· Campfire restrictions are in place. Check at Visitor Centers for more information.

· If campfires are allowed, obtain a campfire permit

· Clear away grass, leaves and other debris within 5 feet of campfire or grill

· Have a responsible person in attendance at all times

· Ensure all campfires are completely extinguished before leaving

· When barbecuing, never leave the grill unattended

· Children near open flame should always be supervised by a responsible adult

The following lists trailheads, campgrounds and OHV areas from all ranger districts and whether each is open or restricts access.

Calaveras Ranger District

Open Campgrounds

Bloomfield 1 and 2, Hermit Valley, Pacific Valley, Mosquito Lakes, Silvertip, Lake Alpine, Pine Marten, Silver Valley, Backpackers, Utica Reservoir including Sandy Flat and Rocky Point, Union Reservoir including East and West, Spicer and Spicer Group Camp, Lodgepole and Lodgepole group camp and Stanislaus campground.

Open Lakes

All lakes, including Lake Alpine, are open for boats except for Spicer Lake.

Trails:

The Pacific Crest Trail is closed between Highway 108 and Highway 4. The PCT is open south of Highway 108.

All other trails are open, but there is limited access to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness – one side of trail in the wilderness area may be closed. Please check the fire closure map carefully: Link to FS webpage.

Hunters: Please be aware that portions of D5 and D6 deer hunting zones are within the fire closure area (link again) and are NOT open at this time.

Open OHV areas:

Interface

Black Springs

Cabbage Patch

Rattlesnake

Closed OHV areas:

None

Groveland Ranger District

Open Campgrounds

The Pines Campground (fee)

Lost Claim Campground (fee)

Sweetwater Campground(fee)

Diamond O Campground (fee)

Cherry Valley Campground (fee)

Lumsden Campground (no fee)

South Fork Campground (no fee)

Spinning Wheel dispersed camping area (no fee/no services)

Joe Walt Run dispersed camping area (no fee/no services)

Cherry Borrow dispersed camping area (no fee/no services)

Closed Campgrounds

Anderson Valley dispersed camping area (Ferguson Fire)

Montgomery Gulch dispersed camping area (Ferguson Fire)

Open day use areas

Rainbow Pool

Middle Fork

Upper Carlon

Lower Carlon

Merals Pool

Date Flat

Open OHV areas:

Jawbone pass

Closed OHV areas:

None

Open Trail Heads

Indian Creek: possible trees down on trail. Rock crossing at bottom of canyon washed out

Hanby Trail: possible trees down on trail

Tuolumne River Canyon Trail: possible trees down on trail

Preston Falls

Andresen Trail: possible trees down on trail

Carlon Falls

Diana Pool

Lake Eleanor: possible trees down on trail.

Kibbie Ridge trail: possible trees down on trail.

Little Golden Forest

Closed Trail Heads:

Shingle Springs

Mi-Wok Ranger District

Open Campgrounds

Crandall/Deer Creek

Fraser Flat

Hull Creek

Sandbar Flat

River Ranch

Closed Campgrounds

None

Open Day Use Areas

Fraser Flat Fishing Pier Day Use

Lyons Reservoir Day Use

North Fork Day Use

Closed Day Use Areas

None

OHV Areas Open

Crandall OHV

Hunter Creek

OHV Areas Closed

None

Closed Trail Heads

None

Riverside Day Use

Summit Ranger District:

Open Campgrounds

Pinecrest

Meadowview

Pioneer Group 1, 2 and 3

Herring Reservoir

Herring Creek

Cascade Creek

Beardsley Dam

TeleLi puLaya

Mill Creek

Baker

Deadman

Pine Valley Horse Camp

Kerrick Horse Camp

Open Day Use Areas

Pinecrest

North Fork

Riverside

China Flat

Closed Day Use Areas

Beardsley Day Use Area

Bennet Juniper

Douglas Flat

Cottonwood

Open OHV Areas

Herring Reservoir Area

Closed OHV Areas

Niagara Rim OHV Area

Open Trailheads

Pinecrest National Recreation Trail

Bell Meadow

Crabtree

Gianelli

Coyote Meadows

Pine Valley

Box Springs

Bourland Meadows

Waterhouse

Kennedy Meadows TH (for Emigrant Wilderness traffic)

Sonora Pass TH (southbound Pacific Coast Trail traffic),

Closed Trailheads

Arnot Creek

Clark Fork

County Line

Disaster Creek

Donnell Vista

Seven Pines

Saint Mary’s Pass

Wheats Meadow

Column of the Giants

All Emigrant Wilderness trails are open

Pacific Crest Trail between Sonora Pass/Highway 108 and Ebbetts Pass/Highway 4 is closed

Here are a few more important tips for enjoying this Labor Day holiday:

Hazard Tree Awareness:

The Stanislaus National Forest has experienced extensive tree mortality, both through fire and bark beetle infestations. While a great deal of work has been accomplished, dead and dying trees remain
Look Up, Look Down, Look Around before parking or setting up camp
Drive cautiously. Watch for road hazards including trees that have fallen
Traveling:

· Safe towing: dragging chains will throw sparks that easily ignite wildfires

· Be wheel safe: Check tire pressure before leaving home

For more ways to be safe during Labor Day please visit www.PreventWildfireCA.org

Enjoy your visit to your Stanislaus National Forest! For more information contact one of our offices:

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

Calaveras Ranger District: 209-795-1381

Groveland Ranger District 209-962-7825

Summit Ranger District at 209-965-3434.

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