JACKSON, Wyo. — Spring isn’t all sun and flowers in Jackson. As the snow melts, Bridger-Teton NF is advising caution when accessing public lands.
Forest officials recently announced an extended closure of certain campgrounds and picnic areas on the Bridger-Teton. With winter closures set to lift on May 1 and antler hunters headed into the backcountry, forest folks want to make sure recreators are prepared for what they will encounter.
Much of the Bridger-Teton is at elevation—some 6,400 to 11,000 feet above sea level. That means, around here, winter hangs on for a long time.
First, keep in mind:
- Per Wyoming state regulations, antler collection is prohibited until noon on May 1.
- Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Teton County officials are requesting that visitors not travel to the Jackson area until public health restrictions on travel ease.
- Deep, lingering snow is limiting the area accessible for motor vehicle travel and for camping.
In response to this extraordinary time, residents and visitors need to plan ahead to be self-sufficient, prepare to travel primarily by foot or horseback, and follow public health guidance to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Forest visitor centers, campgrounds, and restrooms are closed. Dispersed camping is permitted but a very limited area is accessible due to the snowpack. The camp stay limit for dispersed camping on the Jackson or Blacrock Ranger districts is 5 days.
Visitors may access the Flat Creek drainage at the Forest kiosk on the morning of May 1. Plans are underway to plow the Curtis Canyon road up the overlook/campground area but the deep snow may modify this plan. Limited parking and turn-around is available in the overlook area.
The lower portion of the Gros Ventre road between Atherton and the Slate Creek gate are scheduled to open at 6:15 a.m. on May 1, however, anyone planning to travel this road must be prepared for poor conditions. Rain predicted this week in combination with melting snow will make portions of the road very slick.
Beyond Russold Hill, the road has been plowed but is narrow with snow on either side of the road. High clearance, 4WD vehicles will be necessary and chains and shovels are recommended to prevent getting stuck. Conservative decision-making is needed to prevent accidents and reduce the need for medical first responders. Those who are not familiar with travel on the Gros Ventre road are urged to focus their activities to the area between the forest boundary and Atherton rather than risk driving the road. Foot, horse, and bicycle travel is permitted behind gates.
All other roads on the Jackson and Blackrock Districts remain closed due to late season snow. This includes the Fall Creek road, Granite Creek, Shadow Mountain, Ditch Creek, Mosquito Creek, and the North Fork of Fall Creek.
Forest personnel will be closely monitoring these roads and will open them as soon as they melt out. Due to lingering snow, many trails are still snow covered or muddy. Visitors are reminded to hike and ride dirt or gravel surface, not mud. Trail condition updates are available through the Forest Service and Friends of Pathways. The Skyline trail is closed May 1 through July 1 to give wildlife the space they need during the calving season.
Updated road conditions at a glance:
- Gros Ventre Road: Muddy and snowy conditions persist along entire Gros Ventre Road and 4×4 vehicles recommended. Slate Creek Gate closed until June 1. Atherton Creek Gate will open on Friday May 1, 2020 at 6:15 a.m. (4×4 vehicles recommended, trailers not recommended)
- Shadow Mountain access road: closed due to snow cover. Shadow Mountain Loop Road: north and south gates closed due to snow cover
- Ditch Creek Road: closed with seasonal barrier fence due to snow cover
- Curtis Canyon Road may open to campground area by Friday morning at 6:15 a.m. Upper road closed due to snow cover
- Flat Creek Trail Head area should be accessible on Friday morning, May 1 at 6:15 a.m.
- Phillips Ridge Road: closed due to snow cover
- Mosquito Creek Road: lower gate closed until June 1
- Fall Creek Road: closed due to deep snow on north side of Pritchard Pass (north and south gates remain closed)
- Bull Creek Road: closed due to snow cover
- Granite Creek Road: closed due to snow cover
