Bull Pen access to West Clear Creek to re-open Saturday Nov. 2, 2013

Forest Service to reopen Bull Pen on Saturday

From the forest service: 

Sedona, Ariz. – The Coconino National Forest Red Rock District will reopen the Bull Pen Recreation Area for day use beginning Saturday, November 2.

Public use at Bull Pen will be limited to day use only, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with no overnight camping allowed. Dispersed camping will be allowed at locations at least one mile from the Bull Pen area.

The presence of numerous cottonwood and sycamore trees with dead hazardous limbs prompted the closure of the area in May. The Forest Service then conducted a risk assessment. As a result of the assessment, management changes are being implemented for public safety. Hazardous trees have been removed or limbed within an area designated for day use. This area includes several parking areas and a toilet location.

The tree cutting was conducted during the past month so biological impacts could be minimized. The creekside forest is environmentally sensitive due to habitat for the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a bird species proposed for the Endangered Species Act list, as well as Black Hawks and other nesting and hibernating wildlife that depend on trees.

Access to the West Clear Creek Wilderness for backpackers and hunters will again be available by parking at the West Clear Creek Trailhead at the Bull Pen Day Use Area.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Burns at the Red Rock District office at 928-203-7529.

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Road to West Clear Creek to close May 23

FOREST ROAD 215 TO BULL PEN TO CLOSE ON THURSDAY

UPDATE: Bull Pen will reopen for day use only (6 a.m. - 10 p.m.) on November 2, 2013. 
If you're headed out to the West Clear Creek area this holiday weekend, please read this new release before planning your route.

From: "Smith, Brady -FS" <bradysmith@FS.FED.US>
Date: May 21, 2013 12:45:13 PM PDT
To: <USDA-FS-NEWS@NEWSBOX.USDA.GOV>
Subject: SOUTHWESTERN-NEWS-RELEASE: Coconino National Forest

NEWS RELEASE                   

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

U.S. Forest Service

Coconino National Forest

www.fs.usda.gov/coconino                                        

www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF

www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest

For Immediate Release

May 21, 2013

           

Public Affairs Contacts:

Brady Smith, Coconino National Forest, 928-527-3490

Brienne Magee, Flagstaff Ranger District, 928-527-8290

Hazard trees prompts temporary closure of Bull Pen area

Flagstaff, AZ – The Bull Pen area, located about 10 miles east of Camp Verde off Forest Road 215, will be closed temporarily beginning Thursday (May 23) due to a large number of trees that pose a hazard to the public.

“Forest Service personnel have discovered hanging dead limbs and hazardous trees in areas frequently used by visitors for camping,” said Heather Provencio, district ranger for the Red Rock Ranger District.  “We take the safety of the public seriously and the closure will last until the Forest Service can complete a formal risk assessment, mitigate the hazard and deem the area safe for public entry.”

This closure prohibits all public entry into the area including camping, day use, hiking, and access to West Clear Creek via Forest Road 215.

Due to the large number of hazardous trees in the area and the flood potential at areas used by visitors for camping near the creek, Forest Service personnel will be considering management options that may include designated camping locations and designated parking.

Bull Pen is a popular camping and picnicking area along West Clear Creek during the summer with visitors camping under the towering sycamores and cottonwood trees.

Violation of this closure is subject to a maximum fine of $5,000 or six months jail time.

For more information about the Bull Pen area and closure, please contact the Red Rock Ranger Visitor Center at 928-203-7500.  Members of the public who want to provide comments on future management of the area should do so by submitting a comment form via http://go.usa.gov/b3aX.

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Respectfully,

Brady

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Brady Smith, MBA

Forest Public Affairs Officer

Coconino National Forest

Tel:  (928) 527-3490

WEST CLEAR CREEK

WEST CLEAR CREEK TRAIL Coconino National Forest
UPDATE: Bull Pen will reopen on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013  for day use (6 a.m. - 10 p.m.) only.
UPDATE: As of May 23, 2013, FR 215 will be closed.  Contact the Red Rock Ranger District for more info at 928-203-7500. Break out the Gore Tex and wading sandals because you’re gonna get wet on this one! Four challenging, thigh-deep creek crossings along this beautiful trail make the going a real delight! Parts of the trail parallel the sycamore and reed-lined, banks of West Clear Creek while other segments climb along desert ridges hundreds of feet above the water. Washouts make finding the trail kind of tricky in places, especially in the first two miles so watch carefully for cairns tucked in the shadows to keep on the path. From its origin on the Mogollon Rim, the creek cuts a deep gorge through some of the most spectacular terrain in Arizona. Entirely canyon bound, the most scenic segments of the trail pass through soaring limestone and russet sandstone cliffs that cast rich reflections onto the deep pools of icy water that flow serenely at their bases. Hiking sticks come in handy for where the path traverses boulder-strewn wash areas and slick river rock. Although there are many hiking options in the area, including hike-swim-backpacking adventures and a grueling 2,000-foot climb to the top of the Rim, many hikers opt to turn back at the 4.5 mile point where the canyon narrows and the water becomes too deep to wade. Length: 9 miles round trip Rating: moderate Elevation change: 500 feet Getting there: From Phoenix, take I-17 north to exit #285, (General Crook Trail). Go right (east) and continue for 2 miles to the Highway 260 junction. Turn right (east) at the junction and proceed for another 6 miles to just past milepost 226 and then turn north (left) onto FR 618. Continue on FR 618 for 2.2 miles to the signed turn off for the Bull Pen area and FR 215. Turn right (east) onto FR 215 and continue for 3 miles to the wooden “Bull Pen” sign. Turn left at the sign and go another two-tenths of a mile to the corralled parking area. The trail starts at the gate near the restroom. The dirt roads are passable by sedan, but a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. Information: www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino (928) 527-3600