09/07/2023
Big win for the mountain bike community! 1918 is open to bikes again and Secret trail has been added to this protection closing the area to motorized and camping in sensitive habitat.
A closure order has been issued for Bear Wallow Riparian Area.
The purpose of this Order is to protect riparian ecosystem and water quality from the impacts of heavy recreational use in the Described Area. Recreation activities such as camping or offroad motor vehicle use can cause soil compaction and erosion, which is difficult to repair and can lead to downstream water quality degradation. There are very few riparian areas present on the district making them even more important to protect.
The Described Area is within Township 12 South, Range 16 East, Sections 5 and 6, and Township 11 South, Range 16 East, Section 11, located on the southwest (downhill) side of Forest Road (FR) 833, also known as General Hitchcock Highway, the main roadway that traverses Mt. Lemmon. Specifically, all lands within the boundary beginning at the junction of FR 833 and National Forest System Road (NFSR) 8; then following the southwest side of FR 833 in a southeasterly direction for approximately a quarter mile to the junction with NFSR 2; then following the southwest side of NFSR 2 in a southeasterly direction for approximately a half mile; then following the north side of NFSR 2 in a westerly direction around the switchback, then following the east side of NFSR 2 in a northwesterly direction through the Bear Wallow riparian area for approximately .5 miles to the junction with FR 833; then following the north side of FR 833 in a northwesterly direction for approximately an eighth of a mile; then following off road in a northwesterly direction for approximately an eighth of a mile to the junction with NFSR 8; then the south side of NFSR 8 in an easterly direction to the point of beginning, which is the junction of FR 833 and NFSR 8, as depicted in Exhibit A of this Order.
To read the complete closure order, click here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/coronado/alerts-notices/?aid=83103