News From the White Mountain National Forest
For Immediate Release: August 29, 2011
Contact: Tiffany Benna: (w) 603.536.6241 or (cell) 603.348.0078
White Mountain National Forest Recommends Waiting a Few Days to Recreate on the Forest
The White Mountain National Forest has been responding to reports and assessing damage across the Forest. Our focus is on safety and moving to recovery to get the Forest fully open as safely and quickly as we can: however this may take time. Currently, we have assessed about 40 percent of major roads and developed sites across the Forest. There is still a lot of ground to cover and many unknowns, especially backcountry conditions. Therefore even though an area or trail may be open, caution and good judgment should be exercised. Visitors are strongly encouraged to wait a few more days before coming to recreate.
While the Forest will be open on Tuesday, August 29, certain areas, roads, sites, or trails will remain closed due to hazardous conditions, high water, wash outs, unsafe bridges or other impediments. Heed signing and check the website for updates. A list of areas and sites that are closed will be available in the morning.
Visitors who choose to recreate in the next few days should expect to encounter hazardous conditions. Heavy rains have swollen rivers and streams. Some trails may be impassable due to high water. Never enter high water areas or approach fast moving water. Keep your distance. Turn back if necessary.
Extremely high winds from the recent weather event has created blow down around the Forest. Trees, limbs and debris may block trails, impact campgrounds, and make roads impassable. Be aware that you may have to turn around. High winds may have also created hazards such as leaning trees or weak limbs that may come crashing down in the aftermath. Be aware of potential hazards in the area and above you.
Many roads have been damaged by the storm and remain impassable or dangerous. Washouts, compromised bridges, soft shoulders, blockage due to blow down, are but a few of the hazards to be expected. Heed road closures. Do not go around gates or road barricades. The State of NH has a list of road closures across the state, including state roads that access the Forest:
http://www.nh.gov/readynh/index.htm.
The Forest will continue assessing damage. Please report any storm damage you encounter – whether on a road, trail, recreation site or campground to the White Mountain National Forest at (603) 536-6100. We will continue to keep our website updated with latest current conditions as they become available:
www.fs.fed.us/r9/white.
