| Use caution snowmobiling on Forest Road 302 |
| January 7, 2011 |
|
Recent private timber management operations
being conducted on Forest Capital lands north of
Nordman are resulting in logging trucks and
snowmobilers sharing Forest Road 302 for
approximately 4 miles. Snowmobilers and other winter recreationists are being urged to use caution and keep an eye out for log trucks when traversing the 4 miles of Forest Road 302 between the Snowmobile Trailhead and the junction with Forest Road 311. “Rather than issuing a temporary closure for snowmobile users during the private timber operations we feel the forest can safely provide access for both logging traffic and winter recreational users during this short period of logging access on private lands,” said Priest Lake District Ranger Glen Klingler. In order to provide required access for trucks to the private lands, one side of Forest Road 302 has been plowed to allow passage for trucks while leaving snow on the other side of the road to allow snowmobile users access to popular recreational areas north of Priest Lake. However, slow speeds and extra caution is advised throughout this shared stretch of road and especially as snowmobile riders approach Forest Road 311 where the road width narrows significantly. The private timber operations are expected to be completed by mid-February, at which point logging traffic will cease and the full road width will be available to snowmobile use until the end of the season. For additional information about this road or other information on the Priest Lake Ranger District, please contact (208) 443-2512, or visit the Idaho Panhandle National Forests website. |