Blockages: Check ahead for forest road, trail conditions

HIKING — It’s early season; snow is still plugging mountain roads and Forest Service crews are just working their way through projects left by the ravages of winter.

The basic rule: Call ahead to the national forest ranger districts or other agencies for any updates on road and trail conditions before making solid plans for a trip.

For example:

• Two popular trails and one road are temporarily closed west of Winthrop Washington.  The West Fork Methow and Cutthroat trails were both damaged by avalanches over the winter and Harts Pass Road, a gateway to the Pasayten Wilderness, is impassable due to storm damage. Trees, logs, brush, and other debris were left behind by avalanches, blocking portions of both trails. Contact Methow Valley Ranger District at (509) 996-4000; www.fs.usda.gov/okawen .

• Marble Creek Road in the St. Joe Ranger District will present travelers this summer with road delays ranging from 30 minutes to an hour due to Potlatch Corporation  logging operations.  The work will begin mid-June 2014 and is expected to continue until September 2014. The line machine will be first set up at the 2 – 2 ½ mile marker of Marble Cr. Rd. 321 mid-June and then will move to the 3 ½ mile marker in mid-July. Contact David Canning or Gerri Bush at the St. Joe Ranger District (208) 245-2531.

Here’s more info regarding the Methow region issues:

“There is a considerable amount of debris on each trail, so it will take some time to get them open”, said Jennifer Zbyszewski, Recreation, Wilderness and Facilities Program Manager for the Methow Valley Ranger District.  “For now though, the debris fields are dangerous to cross and we’ve temporarily closed the trails; until we can clear them.”

Harts Pass Road is also temporarily closed.  A rainstorm last fall damaged the road where it crosses Cache Creek, approximately one mile north of Dead Horse Point.  Snowmelt in Cache Creek has caused additional damage to the road and it needs to be repaired before it is passable.

“We’re going to repair the Harts Pass road as soon as possible,” said Zbyszewski.  “We know folks are anxious to drive up that road to see the wildlife, flowers, and beautiful views.  We hope to have it open within the next few weeks.”