In order to support local tribal community requests, the Carson NF will be issuing a temporary closure for traditional and cultural purposes for the period of August 20-26.
The following trails/areas will be closed to all public under this closure order.
· Williams Lake Trail
· Wheeler Peak Summit Trail
· Lost Lake Trail at Horseshoe Lake to the ridge.
· Bull of the Woods Trail from La Cal Basin to the ridge.
· Ridgeline from Taos Cone east to Lake Fork Peak and north to Kachina Peak.
· Williams Lake Basin.
Closed areas will be signed at trailheads and along key access points to the National Forest to help the public with compliance with this order.
“It’s important that the Carson National Forest works to support local traditional communities to continue a traditional way of life that makes the culture of Northern New Mexico so rich and truly unique,” said James Duran, Carson Forest Supervisor. “We appreciate the public’s patience and willingness to support our local tribal communities in maintaining long standing connections to these mountains during this unique period.”
We recognize the temporary inconvenience that this presents to Forest users and visitors to the Williams Lake area. During this closure we encourage visitors to the Carson NF to visit these other trails if in the Taos Ski Valley area:
Highway 150 Trails:
Gavilan, Italianos, Manzanita and Yerba, all trails are accessible from highway 150. The trails will take hikers into the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness and provide access to ridgelines above tree line.
Trails in the Taos Ski Valley (TSV) parking lot:
The Bull of the Woods trail to Long Canyon. This hike will take visitor to Gold Hill in the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness
On the Red River side of the mountain visitors can still do the Lost Lake loop accessed from the East Fork or Middle Fork Trailheads.
Should you have questions or concerns, you are encouraged to call or email the Public Affairs Officer, MaryAnna Clemons PAO at 575-999-5548 or maryanna.clemons@usda.gov.
