Travel alert for FR 95 on the Mogollon Rim

FR95 CLOSED BETWEEN FR139G AND 139A
Hikers, if you are planning a route beginning at the Fred Haught trailhead--which is the northern access point for Cabin Loop trails U-Bar, Houston Brothers, Fred Haught and AZ Trail--be advised that construction has closed FR95 where Houston Draw bisects the road.  Looks like a new culvert is being installed, and who knows how long that will take with the government shutdown. No worries, though, you can park at the blockade and hike  0.5 mile on  FR95  to the trailhead. Also, access to Kinder Crossing off FR95 is NOT impacted by this closure. Seriously---do not attempt to drive thru---here's what you will encounter:

Construction at Houston Draw

Houston Draw on FR95 

What's open in Arizona during government shutdown?

Many National Forest recreation sites operated by private companies remain OPEN during the government shutdown.  These include:

SEDONA:

Crescent Moon / Red Rock Crossing,
Grasshopper Point
,West Fork / Call of the Canyon
,Manzanita,
Cave Springs,
Chavez Crossing
,Pine Flats East and West 
Oak Creek Visitor Center,
Clear Creek,
 Beaver Creek

PAYSON:
Christopher Creek
,East Verde,
Houston Mesa,
Ponderosa,
Sharp Creek
,Tonto Creek

FLAGSTAFF:
Ashurst Lake,
Bonito,
Dairy Springs,
Lake Mary Day Use Area,
 Lakeview,
 Locket Meadow,
O'Leary Group,
Pinegrove

NORTH RIM GG:
Demotte
,Jacob Lake

TUCSON:
Rose Canyon Lake,
Spencer Canyon,
Showers Point Group,
Whitetail

http://news.morningstar.com/all/market-wired/MWR1055914/many-federal-recreation-areas-in-arizona-remain-open-during-the-government-shutdown.aspx

AZ State Parks OPEN during government shutdown

ARIZONA STATE PARKS & NATIONAL FORESTS WILL BE OPEN DURING GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN

Dead Horse Ranch State Park

UPDATE: 10-10-13: the government shut is now forcing closure of national forest sites operated by private businesses.  Not sure why.  Check this out for first-hand updates from an owner/operator of many of these sites:
READ UPDATES from the small business that operates this site:
http://www.coyoteblog.com/
Hikers,
Although our National Parks may  temporarily shutter during the government shutdown, our ARIZONA STATE PARKS will be open for business. Access to National Forests is open, However, NF OFFICES and online camping reservation website, http://www.recreation.gov are closed. Hiking and dispersed camping are not impacted. Although I have not received any press releases regarding specific NF campground closures--it's probably a good idea to call ahead (oh, but the offices are closed)  for status of fee-camping areas. Many of these are managed by volunteer site hosts or private concessionaires  who may be keeping the gates open during the government shutdown. If you are looking for alternative places to camp, you can make reservations online:
http://azstateparks.com
WHAT'S OPEN IN ARIZONA:
http://news.morningstar.com/all/market-wired/MWR1055914/many-federal-recreation-areas-in-arizona-remain-open-during-the-government-shutdown.aspx

ABINEAU-BEAR JAW FALL FOLIAGE HIKE

ABINEAU-BEAR JAW LOOP

Flagstaff

Abineau Canyon, Sept. 28, 2013

Coaxed by freezing night temperatures and the season’s first light dusting of snow, the aspens on the north face of Flagstaff’s San Francisco Peaks are turning to gold.  On Saturday, Sep. 28^th, the trees above 10,000’ were well on their way to peak color while those lower on the mountain were just developing a faint, lemony tinge.  This means prime time for high elevation fall foliage hiking has arrived. Because of its cool, canyon bound location on the mountain, leaves saturate and drop early and quickly on the Abineau-Bear Jaw loop. So head out this week to enjoy this classic autumn trek.

LENGTH:  7.9-mile loop

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION:  8530' - 10,400'

Waterline Road: Sept 28, 2013

GETTING THERE:

Abineau Canyon, Sept. 28, 2013

From Flagstaff, travel north on US180 (Fort Valley Rd) to milepost 235.2 and turn right onto FR 151 (Hart Prairie Road, north access).  Continue 1.6 miles on FR 151 and connect to FR 418.  Drive 3.1 miles on FR418 to FR9123J  (signed for Abineau-Bear Jaw), turn right and go 0.6 mile to the trailhead.

Dirt/cinder roads are rutted but passable by carefully driven sedans.  Access via FR418 from 89A now requires 4x4 due to washouts.

INFO:  Flagstaff Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, 928-526-0866

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=55058&actid=50

MORE PHOTOS:

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