The Pleasant Grove and Spanish Fork ranger districts gave updates on recently opened recreational areas. Because of the large amounts of rain and snow, many recreational areas are still closed.
However, there are many areas opening to the public this coming week. Each week, as the snow continues to melt and the ranger districts continue to clean the trails, more areas will open.
Utah's canyons boast many popular activities such as hiking, camping and skiing. With Memorial Day approaching, rangers are aware that people are looking for outside activities to enjoy the warm weather.
'There’s a lot of good opportunities for Memorial week,' Sarah Flinders, recreation staff officer for the Pleasant Grove and Spanish Fork ranger districts, said.
According to Utah's Division of Water Resources, 'Utah’s snowpack is around normal (median) in most regions. This year, our snowpack peaked at 18.8 inches on April 2.'
And while many reservoirs in Utah gained a lot of water, plenty of roads, trails and campgrounds around them are still closed.
With the anticipated opening of many hiking trails and campgrounds, ranger officials urged people to stay safe and to stay on open roads.
'Many trails are behind closed gates, are under snow or very wet,' the Spanish Fork Ranger District said. 'Adhere to the Wet Trail Closures and do not travel on trails if not open or wet. Damage occurring on trails and roads while wet are sometimes not able to be repaired.'
Many closed trailheads in the Spanish Fork Ranger District will be behind a closed gate. Wet trail closures are marked with a bright green sign.
For more information on recreational areas visit the Pleasant Grove and Spanish Fork ranger districts' websites.
Below are the lists of closed trailheads, roads and campgrounds:
Trailheads in Pleasant Grove Ranger District
Trailhead | Open/Closed |
Tibble Fork | Open |
Silver Lake Flat | Closed - estimated opening 5/24 |
Pine Hollow | Open |
Salamander Flat (dispersed camping) | Closed - open 5/24 |
Summit | Closed - open 5/24 |
Timpooneke | Closed - open 5/24 |
Mt Timpanogos/Aspen Grove TH | Open |
Closed roads in Pleasant Grove Ranger District
Road name | Conditions |
Alpine Loop (Sr 92) | Closed - opening 5/24 |
Mineral Basin Road (FR085) | Closed - Forest Closure due to road damage at the narrows |
Snake Creek to Forest Lake Road | Closed - estimated opening 5/24-5/31 |
Upper Tibble to Holman Flat (FR085) | Closed - estimated opening 6/15 |
Silver Lake Flat Road(FR008)/Silver Lake TH River Crossing | Closed - estimated opening 5/24-5/31 |
Timpooneke Road (FR056) | Closed |
FR 114 SR92 to Cascade Springs | Closed - opening 5/24 |
Kyhv Road (FR 027) from Hope Campground to Lt Fork Hobble Creek | Closed - estimated opening 5/31 |
Closed roads in Spanish Fork Ranger District
Road name | Conditions |
Upper Grotto (Ski Lift) Trailhead to Blackhawk gate | Closed due to snow in Payson Lakes area - Estimated 5/24 |
Blackhawk to Santaquin cutoff gate on main Nebo Loop Road | Closed - estimated 5/31 |
Pole Haven to Spring Creek Trailhead | Closed due to snow - estimated 5/24 |
Pole Have to Hope Campground - FR027 | Closed due to snow - estimated 5/31 |
Left Fork Hobble Creek to Halls Fork | Closed - estimated 6/15 or later due to snow |
Teat Mountain Road | Closed due to wet conditions |
Tank Hollow Road | Closed due to wet conditions |
Long Hollow gate - Monks Hollow | Closed due to wet trail closures |
Campgrounds/Picnic areas in Pleasant Grove Ranger District
Campground name | Conditions |
Granite Flat CG | Closed - opening 5/31 |
Timpooneke CG | Closed - opening 5/31 |
Altamont GS | Closed - opening 6/7 |
Mount Timpanogos CG | Closed - opening 5/31 |
Theatre-in-the-Pines GS | Closed - opening 5/31 |
Hope CG | Closed - opening 5/31 |
Rock Canyond CG | Closed - opening 5/31 |
Campgrounds/Picnic areas in Spanish Fork Ranger District
Site name | Conditions |
Blackhawk CG | Closed for the season |
Payson Lakes CG | Closed - estimated 5/24 |
Payson Lakes Guard Station | Closed - estimated 5/24 |
Tinney Flat CG | Closed |
Trumbolt picnic day use site | Closed - No camping allowed |