UTAH COUNTY, Utah, May 23, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Several canyons in Utah County will remain closed through the coming Memorial Day Weekend and at least into June, officials said Thursday.
The U.S. Forest Service gave updates related to several canyon closures Thursday, said a news release from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
They are:
- Alpine Loop Road and other roads above Tibble Fork remain closed. The Forest Service anticipates opening these roads some time in June but a date is not estimated.
- American Fork Canyon: Above Tibble Fork Reservoir is still closed due to snow and muddy conditions.
- American Fork/Provo Canyon: Alpine Loop Road (SR-92): Still closed due to snow.
- Hobble Creek Canyon: Left Fork: Closed above private land, but below is snow packed with muddy conditions.
- Hobble Creek Canyon: Right Fork and Diamond Fork: Open over the top and to Springville Crossing/Diamond Fork/Sheep Creek.
- Nebo Loop Road: Parts of the Nebo Loop Road are open. The road is open from south end of the road to Devil’s Kitchen. The road is also open from Payson to the Old Ski Lift parking, two miles from Payson Lakes. Anticipated opening is June 10, but that date is dependent upon weather.
- Santaquin Canyon Road is open to the Trumbolt Day use area. It is closed at Trumbolt due to the large avalanche in the canyon. Forest Service crews are working with Utah County to remove debris as the snow melts. Anticipated opening is June 10, but that date is dependent upon weather.
- Grotto trail: The Grotto Falls Trail and trailhead in Payson Canyon are temporarily closed for public safety. The fired that burned through this area during fall 2018 damaged a bridge and retaining wall. Forest Service crews will need to wait until the high water flows have diminished before repairs can be completed.
“The U.S. Forest Service and the Utah County Sheriff’s Office ask people to exercise good trail stewardship when enjoying the outdoors,” the news release said.
“When hiking, stay on designated trails. Illegal routes created to access areas behind closures can cause resource damage and hazards to visitors. Please respect closed gates. They are closed for good reason and when people hike or climb around them they risk causing further damage to gates, roads and vegetation. Vehicles may also get stuck, necessitating additional resources to remove them.”
