Affected trails include Y2K, Strawberry Canyon, Mike’s Rippin’ and a Portion of Tampico Springs Trails
Diego Lopez, Reporter
GRANTS, NM – Tree thinning activities will be taking place in the Zuni Mountains over the next several months. These activities will limit the public’s ability to recreate in the forest, this is being done to protect the public and the forest.
The closure will mostly affect the eastern half of the Mount Taylor Ranger District. Y2k, Strawberry Canyon, Mike’s Rippin’, and parts of Tampico Springs Trail will be affected by this closure. This temporary closure is expected to last until December 31 but may be rescinded before then if work is completed on time.
What Area is Restricted?
According to the Forest Service, “The Restricted Areas are within Township 13N, Range 16W, Sections 2, 4, 10, 11, 14, 15, and Township 14N, Range 16W, Section 33, as depicted in Exhibit A. Restricted Area No. 1 consists of all National Forest System lands starting at the intersection of NM-400 and FSRD 162, then following NM-400 to FSRD 191, then following FSRD 191 to FSRD 191C, then following 191C to the private boundary, going due north for approximately 2/3rds of a mile, then going due east approximately [twothirds] of a mile back to the point of beginning at NM400. Restricted Area No. 2 consists of all National Forest System lands starting at 500 feet east of the intersection of FSRD 547 and FSRD 50, then following FSRD 50 to FSRD 402, then following FSRD 402 for approximately [a quarter of a] mile south, then heading due west for approximately one mile to the Tampico Springs Trail, then heading north approximately one mile back to the point of beginning at FSRD 50.” All affected trails will have a 300-foot radius on all sides that is also going to be closed to protect the public.
The Y2k Trail will be affected starting at its intersection with Quaking Aspen Trail, until the intersection with Quaking Aspen Trail.
Strawberry Canyon Trail will be affected from the entrance at McGaffey Lookout to the McGaffey Campground.
Mike’s Rippin’ Trail will be affected from the trail entrance at McGaffey Lookout to it’s entrance on NM 400.
Tampico Springs Trail will be affected from the entrance at McGaffey Lookout until about a quarter of a mile south. Hikers found in violation of this order may be guilty of a Class B Misdemeanor, subject to a $5,000 fine and six months in prison. The fine increases to $10,000 for groups and organizations. This is not a new restriction to the area. The original closure order was issued on April 11 and set to expire on September 2. Harsh rains and flooding delayed the completion of this task, if trimming is completed before Dec. 31, the order will be rescinded. People with written authorization from the Forest Service are exempt from this order. Federal, state, and local law enforcement and firefighting teams are also exempt from this order. For more information, please contact the Mount Taylor Ranger District office in Grants, New Mexico at 505-287-8833.