Hazardous trees throughout the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area have required the U.S. Forest Service to close its most popular picnic area in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.
The closure is effective immediately and will continue until further notice.
Two Forest Health Specialists from Ogden, UT, visited the Mount Charleston Area this week to assess the trees damaged by last winter's heavy snow and wind storms. The number of trees with broken limbs and the number of trees leaning toward picnic areas, restrooms, and trails in the Cathedral Rock Area warrants immediate closure of the picnic area.
"We know that this is a popular time for visitors to come up and picnic in the Spring Mountains," said Stephanie Phillips, Deputy Forest Supervisor of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. "Despite the inconvenience, the safety of our visitors and staff is our top priority," Phillips continued.
Visitors wishing to picnic in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area can still go to Sawmill and Old Mill Picnic Areas, located in Lee Canyon, off of State Route 156. Large groups can reserve Foxtail Picnic Area. For more information about pricing and reservations, please go to www.recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777.
Visitors can read about the status of picnic areas in the Spring Mountains by following the Forest Service on Twitter @SpringMountains.
Hikers wishing to hike the Cathedral Rock and South Loop Trails can access them via the Lower Cathedral Rock Trailhead located off of State Route 157, outside of the picnic area.
For questions about this release, please contact Dave Reis, Recreation Staff Officer at (702) 515-5440.
I called Dave Reis and left a message to try and get clarification about this. I will update if I hear from him. Access the South Loop Trail from the Lower Cathedral Rock trail is a real pain. You have to hike down the Cathedral Rock trail to the pavement and then start on the South Loop Trail.
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