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July 28, 2011 9:00 a.m.

Here are the current closures and conditions on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest:

Pintler Ranger District (Philipsburg) - (406) 859-3211

Deer Lodge Work Center - (406) 846-1770

Several recreational sites in the Georgetown Lake area have been closed due to hazards or flood damage. Sites may be closed long term due to continued unstable weather patterns (wind), and unstable wet soil conditions. Crews are working to remove hazardous trees. Additional sites may be closed if warranted.

Piney Campground and Boat Launch- Due to wet unstable soil conditions and recent wind events the Pintler Ranger District will be closing the Piney Boat Launch, Day Use Area and Campground for the remainder of the year to provide for the public health and safety of visitors. In the past two weeks wind storms have caused numerous trees to fall in the campground. These trees have all been green and were not identified as hazard trees creating very unpredictable conditions for managing a safe recreation experience within this site. Alternative sites to use - Philipsburg Bay, Lodgepole and Spring Hill campgrounds (fee sites). Flint Creek, East Fork and Spillway campgrounds (non fee sites). Alternative boat launches are located at Grassy Point and Red Bridge.
Cable Campground-Closed due hazardous conditions. Numerous green trees continue to fall at the Cable Campground due to high winds and saturated soil. The campground will likely remain closed through this season, while Forest Service crews evaluate the area and vegetation to maintain a safe and quality recreation experience. Alternative sites to use - Lodgepole Campground, Philipsburg Bay Campground and Spring Hill Campground.
Rainbow Bay Picnic Area-Numerous green trees continue to fall along the access route into Rainbow Bay picnic area due to high winds, saturated soils and the nature of lodgepole pine trees. The picnic area will likely remain closed through this season, while Forest Service crews evaluate the area and vegetation to maintain a safe and quality recreation experience. These hazard trees along the access route will be removed as part of an existing timber sale that will occur this winter. Alternative sites to use - Pebble Beach, Badger Bay, Comers Point, Stewart Mill (FWP site), Echo Lake Picnic area.
Warm Springs Campground and Picnic Area-Closed due to damage from flooding. These sites will likely remain closed throughout the season. Alternative sites to use - Lodgepole Campground, Philipsburg Bay Campground, and Spring Hill Campground.
Douglas Creek Road #707-and the Douglas Creek Rental Cabin-road is closed from Forest boundary from Highway 1, and from the Forest Rose Mine south of Interstate 90. Closure also includes Roads #5153 and 1544. Road is closed due to damage from multiple washouts, culvert losses and slumps. Douglas Creek Cabin is not accessible.
Gird Creek Road #8402-Closed from junctions of road #666 and #78484 due to a landslide and culvert slumping.
Blue Eyed Nellie Road #5180-Road is closed due to multiple wash outs.

Falling trees are always a hazard when traveling in the forest. Here are some tips to help visitors minimize risks:

· Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid dense patches of dead trees. Dead trees can fall without warning.

· Stay out of the forest when there are strong winds. If you are in the forest when winds kick up, head to a clearing out of reach of any trees.

· Places tents and park vehicles in areas where they will not be hit by falling trees.

· When driving in remote areas of the forest, be aware that falling trees could trap your vehicle miles from a main road. Go prepared.

Butte Ranger District - (406) 494-2147

Hail Columbia Road #9485-Located approximately one-quarter mile west of Lowland Campground-closed due to road washed out.
Flume Gulch Road #85-Closed two miles north of Browns Gulch Road #674, due to sinkhole in middle of road.

Dillon Ranger District - (406) 683-3900

Grasshopper Campground-Closed due to reconstruction
Dinner Station Campground-Closed, hazard tree work and cleanup occurring.

Jefferson Ranger District (Whitehall) - (406) 287-3223

Boulder River Road #82-Road is washed out approximately three miles west of Whitehouse Campground at the junction of Indian Creek Road #5075. An alternative bypass past Carey's Corrals, along Lockhart Meadows may be utilized. Jefferson County will be repairing this washout once they receive a shipment of new culverts.
Fish Creek Road #668-Closed six miles southeast of MT Hwy 2 due to washouts.
Little Boulder #86-is open to Elder Creek Campground.
North Fork of Little Boulder #638-Road is washed out 1.5 miles north of junction with Little Boulder Road #86
Uncle Sam Gulch Road #8524-Culvert is washed out just north of Cataract Road #175. Jefferson County will be repairing this washout once they receive a shipment of new culverts.
Halfway Creek Road #8690-Road is closed at the junction of Delmoe Lake Road #222 to public entry due to bridge damage culvert washed out.
Spring Creek Trail #7093-Trail is washed out at its junction with Road #173.

Madison Ranger District (Ennis) - (406) 682-4253

Sheridan Work Center - (406) 842-5432

Warm Springs Road #163-Open to high clearance vehicles, trailers not recommended.
Ramshorn Road #159-Road is impassable due to a bog hole approximately three miles northeast of it junction with Current Creek Road #1218.
North Bear Creek Trail #6324-The trail is washed away and access to the road leading to the trailhead is washed out approximately 1/2 mile west of the trail head.
Smith Lake Camping Area (near West Fork Road #189) is closed for removal of hazard trees.
South Greenhorn Road #8322 in the Greenhorn Range-Road is washed out; access is possible by foot or horseback.
Current Creek Road #159- Caution to travelers there is a bog in the middle of the road approximately three miles above the Ramshorn and Current Creek road junctions.
Noble Fork Road/Trail #8300-located in the Tobacco Root Mountains is closed as bridge is washed out at the Forest boundary.
Johnny Ridge Road #324 - is open, however, there is a large mud hole located approximately one mile below the gate on the east end of the road. High clearance vehicles may drive around the mud hole, but, low clearance vehicles are not recommended.
Notch Cabin-Closed through August for maintenance work.

Wisdom Ranger District - (406) 689-3243

May Creek Cabin-is closed until Sept 1 for renovations.
Darkhorse/Cowbone Lakes road #7330-Is open to 1 mile below Darkhorse Lake, snow drifts still blocking road, closure will moved as conditions allow.
South Van Houten campground-Closed July 28 to spray for Mountain Pine Beetles, will reopen July 29.

Wise River Ranger District - (406) 832-3178

Canyon Creek Campground -Remains closed due to numerous hazard trees from Mountain Pine Beetle infestations.
Seymour Trailhead - Closed for logging operation to remove trees killed by Mountain Pine Beetle infestations. Will be closed approximately until August 15. Seymour Campground is open for camping and available for parking.