CREEDE – Forest Service Roads 600 and 600.3A to Wheeler Geologic Area have been temporarily closed to all motorized use due to extremely muddy road conditions. The area has received a lot of rain recently including more than an inch of rain on Wednesday.

“Temporarily closing the motorized roads to Wheeler Geologic Area is not a decision I take lightly,” said Divide District Ranger Martha Williamson. “I know this will impact many people’s plans, but as people who have gotten stuck know, it doesn’t take much rain to turn this road into a mud bog. Temporarily closing these roads now will keep them useable later in the season.”

Fine-textured soils that make up sections of Forest Service Road 600 turn into slick mud when the area receives heavy rains. Past use during wet periods have created deep ruts, which then collect and channel water creating even muddier conditions and accelerating degradation of the road.

Forest Service Roads 600 and 600.3A will be open as soon as the roads dry out enough to allow motorized use.

See www.fs.usda.gov/riogrande or call the Divide Ranger District at 719-657-3321.