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Drivers, hikers urged to use caution due to road, trail damage from recent rain

Submitted to the Tribune

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Parts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada and eastern California have experienced numerous rain events, and more are expected. Visitors are reminded to use caution when traveling on U.S. Forest Service roads and trails, especially those that cross or parallel waterways.

Forest users should always use defensive driving techniques by adjusting vehicle speed to current weather and road conditions and watching out for flooded roadways, washed-out culverts and bridges, and fallen rocks and trees. Hikers also need to look out for similar conditions on trails and tread carefully on muddy slopes, slimy rocks, and rain-slickened logs.

Be prepared to seek alternate routes, if necessary, but keep in mind that if the main route to your destination has been closed because of road or trail conditions, alternative routes will most likely be impassable. 



Forest Service officials also want to remind the public to never attempt to drive or hike through an area that has been flooded or a debris flow has occurred. These types of events hide dips in roads or trails and other obstacles. Worse still, there may not be a road or trail at all. Flooding and debris flows can wash away the entire road or trail surface and a significant amount of ground beneath. 

In addition, the wet weather has made unpaved Forest Service roads or trails highly susceptible to surface damage. Forest’s roads and trails can become damaged or erode when used during wet and saturated conditions. Proper and responsible use of Forest roads and trails are important to ensure they remain in good shape for other visitors. Causing damage to roads and other forest resources can be a violation of federal regulations, which could carry a fine up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail. 



To report damage to Forest Service roads or trails on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, contact the local ranger district office or Troy Jorgenson at troy.jorgenson@usda.gov. Helpful information includes: Ranger District, Forest Service road or trail number, Location or directions (e.g. mileage from the start of the road/trail or intersection), If possible, map or GPS coordinates, County, Description of damage (culvert out, flooding, ruts, slide, washout, etc.), Name, telephone number, and email of person reporting damage (in case Ranger District has additional questions.)

Provide any cell phone photos (if possible one photo showing scale of the damage)

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest posts road and trail conditions, as they are reported, at https://bit.ly/Road_TrailConditions. For more information about road and trail conditions, contact the local office at https://bit.ly/HTNFOffices.  

For more information, contact https://fs.usda.gov/htnf.


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