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The Summer of our Discontent: Closing the Southwest

© Jill Florio

You've seen the signs: "Forest Closed". Do Not Enter. Go Away, Get Lost. All your grand plans for the summer - denied. Until monsoon rains relieve the threat of forest fires, you cannot mountain bike, run, hike, backpack or even sneeze, anywhere in most of the southwests' national forests.

Here on the verge of the Colorado Plateau, the news is grim.....

"May 20, 2002, VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER FORCES PARTIAL CLOSURE OF COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST (FLAGSTAFF, AZ) - For only the third time in nearly 30 years, fire danger is forcing officials to shut down public access to parts of the Coconino National Forest. Although much of the forest will stay open to the public, beginning Wednesday May 22 at 8 a.m., about 66% of the forest will be closed to all activities such as camping, hiking, biking, walking, jogging and picnicking. Campfires or charcoal grills of any kind will not be allowed in the remaining open sections of the National Forest. Much of the forest areas that have ponderosa pine are being closed to public access..." - from the Coconino Forest Hotsite Report

WHAT TO DO? If you're set to explore the outdoors in the Southwest, there's still a lot of outdoors left over for your jones. This is an ideal time to check out new places - like Marble Canyon, Sunset Crater, or Canyon de Chelley - and try new things - like disc golf.

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Hike the Big Ditch

The world's most famous canyon - el grande himself - is still open for business. Lots of hassle-free day hikes edging the north and south Grand Canyon rims are worth the drive. On the south rim, try hiking to Horseshoe Mesa (Grandview Trail), out to Plateau Point (Bright Angel), or across to Dripping Springs (Hermit Trail). Vow to run the full length of the South Rim Trail from Yavapai Point to Hermit's Rest (take the shuttle back). Plan a long, ambitious loop between Bright Angel and South Kaibab. Take lots of water, hike in the early morning and late afternoon, and stay in the shade. (see my article next month on summer hiking in the Grand Canyon)

Grand Canyon: http://204.29.171.80/framer/navigation.a...

Marble Canyon marks the upper range of the Canyon, an easy two-hour drive up Highway 89. Hike South Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs, Cathedral Canyon or the National Recreation Area trails at Lees Ferry (trails range from mild to super strenuous - grab a map at the entrance station)

There's always the Canyon	Cool off with a Fosters		Ashurst Lake	Blessed, cool, Colorado River
	just do it	Thumb Butte is closed

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