Timber work leads to forest road closures
The Daily Inter Lake
The Flathead National Forest has announced temporary road, trail and area closures
for public safety that are in effect for the Hornet and Depuy Timber Salvage Sale areas in
the North Fork of the Flathead and in the Beta Salvage Sale area along the west side of
Hungry Horse Reservoir.
The Flathead National Forest has announced temporary road, trail and area closures for public safety that are in effect for the Hornet and Depuy Timber Salvage Sale areas in the North Fork of the Flathead and in the Beta Salvage Sale area along the west side of Hungry Horse Reservoir.
Salvage projects are removing timber affected by the forest's 2003 wildland fires.
Forest officials say the closures are intended for public safety during helicopter operations. The length of the closures will vary, so members of the public are encouraged to contact the Forest Service for updated information.
The Hornet Salvage Sale is about 30 miles north of Columbia Falls in the Hornet Mountain area.
The closure includes roads, trails and portions of roads and trails within the sale area, including, but not limited to: Forest Road 318, Whale Creek Road; Forest Road 907, Tepee Creek Road; Forest Road 1671, Whale Creek-Moose Creek Road; Forest Road 9805, Hornet Creek; and forest trail 349, which leads to the Hornet Lookout.
During the closure, hikers and horseback riders will need to access the Whitefish Divide Trail 26, Whale Lake Trail 11 and Huntsberger Lake Trail 374 from the west on the Kootenai National Forest and the Stillwater State Forest. Hikers will need to find alternate trails or routes while the Whale Creek Road is closed, limiting access to the Whale Creek trailhead that serves Inuya Pass Trail 79, Ninko and Thompson-Seton Trail 28, Seemo Pass Trail 22, Cleft Rock Trail 13 and the Antley Creek Trail 106.
The Depuy Salvage Sale is about eight miles north of Columbia Falls. The closure includes roads and trails and portions of roads and trails within the sale area, including but not limited to: Forest Road 316, Big Creek/Canyon Creek Road; Forest Road 316B, Kimmerly Creek Road; Forest Road 316D, South Fork Canyon Creek Road; Forest Road 5224, Deputy Ridge Road; Forest Road 5225, Depuy Creek Road; and forest trail 565.
During the closure, hikers won't be able to access Smokey Range Trail 270 and Smokey Range Access Trail 274.
The Beta Salvage Sale is located directly south of Hungry Horse Dam. Closures apply to roads, trails and portions of roads and trails within the sale area, including: Forest road 895A, Doris Creek Road; forest road 895H, Aurora Basin Road; forest road 1601, Beta Creek Road; and forest road 9676, Endor Creek Headwaters Road.
Timber hauling also is occurring in the post-fire areas.
Expect increased truck traffic on the North Fork Road, north of Columbia Falls, and on the Westside Reservoir Road, south of Hungry Horse Dam along the reservoir, as well as many of the tributary roads.
For the most updated information including maps, call the Hungry Horse District Office at 387-3800.