Huntington Canyon restrictions continue

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Recreation use in Huntington Canyon is limited again this year. Although day use activities such as hiking, horseback riding, picnicking and fishing are allowed, camping is still banned from the Forks of Huntington Campground through North Hughes Canyon. Manti-La Sal Forest Supervisor Mark Pentecost recently amended the Seeley Fire order for the 2015 summer recreation season.
The Seeley Fire, which burned in 2012, has resulted in flood hazards during summer rains.
“Flashfloods and debris flows threaten public safety,” said Ferron/Price District Ranger Darren Olsen. “We have ordered the closures in response to that threat.”
Under the order, camping is banned for one-half mile on each side of SR-31 from the Forks of Huntington Campground through North Hughes Canyon. Nuck Woodward Road (FSR 0110) remains closed from the Nuck Woodward Trailhead to the head of the canyon.
Despite efforts by volunteers and forest service employees to rehabilitate most trails in the Huntington Canyon area, some trails and parts of trails remain closed.
They are Bob Wright, Pole Canyon, Second Water Canyon, Corner Canyon and the last 0.25 mile of the Castle Valley Ridge Trail just east of Nuck Woodward Road.
The lower four miles of the Left Fork of Huntington National Recreation Trail (below Scad Valley) will be open to foot travel, only.
Rehabilitation efforts on the Second Water, Corner Canyon, Castle Valley Ridge, and Left Fork of Huntington trails are planned for the 2015 season. As work is completed, these trails may reopen to use.
Post-fire landscapes are prone to falling trees, loose logs and rocks, burned-out stump holes, flash flooding and debris flows.
When recreating in Huntington Canyon, the public should be aware of potential dangers and always check weather before planning outings in the fire area.
The current forest order and accompanying map can be viewed on the Manti-La Sal website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/mantilasal/