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moonshine505
Jun 18, 2004, 1:27 PM
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Virtually all the climbing areas in New Mexico are now closed due to extreme fire danger...this includes the Enchanted Tower, Palomas Peak and the Sandias, El Rito (closes next thursday), Gilman Tunnels, The Crystal Cave, and others. There are only 2 sport climbing areas in New Mexico still open, but please respect the above closures.
Not knowing offhand, I'm wondering about other "nearby" areas like Durango's Golf Wall, The Pit in Flagstaff, Jack's Canyon in Winslow, AZ. Anyone know if these are similarly affected?
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wpy71
Jun 18, 2004, 2:31 PM
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As of this morning the Coconino National Forest, which includes Jack's canyon and the Pit is open for business, there are campfire and smoking restrictions in place though.
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sarcat
Jun 18, 2004, 3:22 PM
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Why are the areas closed to climbers? Do they have a history of starting fires in those areas or any NM areas in general? They afraid of "biner spark" or rope burn? Are the areas closed to ALL use or just climbing?
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killclimbz
Jun 18, 2004, 3:49 PM
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In reply to: Why are the areas closed to climbers? Do they have a history of starting fires in those areas or any NM areas in general? They afraid of "biner spark" or rope burn? Are the areas closed to ALL use or just climbing?
It would seem unfair, but these areas are closed to all users. Hikers, mt. bikers, etc. Not just climbers. I can understand, I was in New Mexico several years ago, during the year of the Dome fire. It was scary dry in the mountains. The tiniest spark could set off a major fire. I don't blame them at all for closing forest areas. It's been dry in Colorado and it always seems to be worse in New Mexico.
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gds
Jun 18, 2004, 3:58 PM
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I was up in the Flagstaff area last week- Jacks Canyon and Paradise Forks, It is really dry in N AZ!!!! All the areas have campfire restrictions but as of then all were open.
Southern AZ is not quite as dry but still has fire restrictions almost everywhere.
Hope the monsoons come soon!
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madmax
Jun 18, 2004, 4:39 PM
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Golf Wall is definitely still open, I don't think it will close due to fire danger. El Rito is closing next Thursday? I was thinking of going there this weekend; hopefully that happens.
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okieterry
Jun 18, 2004, 4:44 PM
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Thanks for the info, I was actuallu planning on going to the sandias next weekend. Does anyone know of an official site that tells about closures in New Mexico, when they are lifted, etc.?
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moonshine505
Jun 18, 2004, 8:41 PM
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Thanks for the replies...glad to hear some places arn't as much of a tinder box as New Mexico.
Hmmm, I've seen forest service e-mail, with this website tagged on the end of it, perhaps has more official info.
www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire
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climbsomething
Jun 18, 2004, 8:44 PM
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Pretty much everything in Northern Arizona is open. We've been doing relatively well for fires so far this summer (knock on wood :shock:). Hell, it's mid-June and nothing is aflame on Lemmon yet either! I'll be :)
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jcinco
Jun 18, 2004, 8:53 PM
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In reply to: As of this morning the Coconino National Forest, which includes Jack's canyon and the Pit is open for business, there are campfire and smoking restrictions in place though.
I thought Jacks was on BLM land. Does anyone know for sure who administers that land? The BLM doesn't seem to be as protective during fire closures. I'm planning on cruising through for a Sedona wedding, and was hoping to hit Jacks on July 8th or so.
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rradjc
Jun 18, 2004, 9:32 PM
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Jack's Canyon is on Cocnino Nat'l Forest land. It is open, but as has been said before - no fires, no cigarettes, no welding, no off roading. You can drive on the dirt roads to access Jack's.
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rradjc
Jun 18, 2004, 9:41 PM
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By the way, Enchated Tower (Cibola Nat'l Forest land) is open for climbing. The restriction is for no open fires, etc. For closure information for NM, AZ and parts of west Tx go to http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire/
As it stands now the only places that are closed to ANY activity are Fossil Springs wilderness area, portions of the Tonto and Apache-Sitgreaves in AZ and parts of the Santa Fe forest (I think does include El Rito) and Capitan wilderness area in NM.
Again check that site as it keeps very current updates for all fire restrictions and closures and is very precise as to what areas are closed.
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climbsomething
Jun 18, 2004, 9:49 PM
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In reply to: Jack's Canyon is on Cocnino Nat'l Forest land. It is open, but as has been said before - no fires, no cigarettes, no welding, no off roading. You can drive on the dirt roads to access Jack's.
Yeah, Jacks is on NF land, but I can see the confusion- Jacks doesn't tend to see the strongest enforcement of rules and regs relative to other NF areas. I have seen lots of rangers in Coronado Natl Forest (Mt. Lemmon in Tucson) over the years but never once seen any kind of official at Jacks. Jacks was also the last pocket of forest land to get closed during the nasty fires 2 summers ago, as I recall. So, the anything goes atmposhere might could confuse some people. But know that it IS on govt land, so like, don't burn it down and stuff.
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wlderdude
Jun 26, 2004, 3:56 AM
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I think a lot of why they close down the mountains is to protect the people. Imagine how much more expensive a forest fire gets when you have to include large scale rescues! Our legal climate is not one that lends itself to government officals letting people stomp around where they might get burned. The lawyers likely have officals running scared.
I was about to go camping and hike San Mateo Peak, which the website said was open. I called and it was closed. Just about everything is closed, but I saw heavy grey clouds over the Sandias today. Perhaps they will be open soon.
By the way, I am looking for a climbing partner in Albuquerque. PM me if I can tag along on your next outing.
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crackaddict
Jun 26, 2004, 11:55 PM
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In reply to: I think a lot of why they close down the mountains is to protect the people.
Maybe in NM thats what its about.
I know in AZ were trying to protect the forest from the people. Between the thousands of acres burned down every year and the Bark Beetle. We don't stand a chance in having any forest left. It will be sad to see what this state will look like in 5-10 years if this drought does'nt end soon. :cry:
If you ever want to see. Take a drive down Hwy 260 between Show Low and Heber. Or go check out Mt Lemmon.
Truely devistating. We really need to educate more people on enviromental impact and conservation.
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