Spotted Bear areas reopen to public

More areas of the Spotted Bear Ranger District are reopening to public use following this summer’s fires.

Area closures encompassing the Spotted Bear River Road and the Meadow Creek Road as a result of the Trail Creek and Bear Creek fires have been lifted.

With the recent precipitation and low temperatures, fire behavior has been very low. 

Hazard trees have been felled along roads in the burn area.

Due to these recent developments, fire officials have determined that, other than a few select trails, the area is safe to reopen.

In addition, the Youngs Creek Area and the trails near the Lena Lake Fire are open.

The Bear Creek Fire burned more than 70,000 acres and the Trail Creek Fire covered more than 22,000 acres in the Spotted Bear Ranger District .

Due to extensive trail work that remains to be done in the Bear Creek and the Trail Creek burn areas, the following trails remain closed:

q Main South Fork Trail 80 from the Meadow Creek Trailhead to Black Bear Cabin.

q Trail Creek Trail 731.

q Green Mountain Lookout Trail 75.

q Schafer Creek Trail 327 from Trail Creek Trailhead to where the trail crosses the West Fork of Shafer Creek.

q Spy Mountain Trail 238 from its junction with Trail 731 to its junction with Trail 75.

Firewood cutting and camping along the Meadow Creek Road (and open lateral roads) are currently prohibited. 

Camping and firewood cutting will be allowed at the developed recreation sites at the Gorge Creek Trailhead and Meadow Creek Trailhead. 

This wood must be dead and down, less than 12 inches in diameter and used within the campground.

Firewood cutting along the Spotted Bear River Road (and open lateral roads) is prohibited.

For more information, contact the Spotted Bear Ranger District at 406-785-5376.