Rev up your engines all you off-road enthusiasts. The forestry departments of the Stanislaus National Forest began opening forest roads on April 15.
Not all forest roads opened last Monday on April 15 due to some roads being deemed unsafe by the forestry department from either debris or snow at higher elevation.
Lisa Lienen, a forest ranger at the Mi-Wuk Forestry Department, says there is a chance that all forest roads could be opened at some point this year, which is not common.
“We have a low snowpack level right now,” Lienen said. “This is unfortunate for the rivers and lakes, but great for being able to open forest roads early.”
Forest roads are closed in the winter time to preserve the ground during winter months to help prevent truck tires digging into the soft ground. The roads are closed between Oct. 15 and April 15 weather permitting.
A popular motorcycle riding area which did open up on April 15 is the Crandall Creek to Deer Creek trail. With 40 miles of signed trails and 140 miles of road open, there is plenty of room for any size Jeep, truck or ATV. The riding area ranges in elevation of 3500 feet at Deer Creek to 5500 feet at Crandall Peak. A camping area located at Crandall Peak near Spring Gap, off Forest Roads 4N01 and 4N88, offers a place to rest your head after a long day of riding.
The Hunter Creek area also opened up on April 15. East of Tuolumne City, Hunter Creek offers 100 miles of roads open to off highway vehicle use. The riding area ranges in elevation of 2500 feet at Hunter Creek to 5800 feet at Duckwall Mountain. River Ranch Campground off Cottonwood Road offers full service camping facilities near the riding area seasonally. OHV use is not permitted within the campground or on Cottonwood Road.
If you do choose to head out to the backcountry of the Stanislaus National Forest on your ATV, Jeep or Truck, be advised that any damage to the forest is a federal crime. It is recommended that you treat it lightly and not leave “ruts” on the forest roads. The forest roads allow visitors to explore the forest without having to hike or horseback ride through.
Like many things, one explorer who tears up the forest could lead to road closure and ruin it for the rest of us.