Southern Roads On Pole Mountain Open

Southern roads on Pole Mountain have been reopened for public use by the Laramie Ranger District. The routes on the Medicine Bow National Forest between Laramie and Cheyenne had been temporarily closed for the last couple weeks, but reopened Friday.

Routes opening on the south end of the unit will include Forest Roads 700 (Vedauwoo Glen), 705 (Blair-Wallis), and 707 (Headquarters). Most spurs off of these roads will also reopen, however, visitors will notice that some areas are still closed until further drying and road repair takes place.

Roads on the north side of Wyoming Highway 210, also called Happy Jack Highway, remain closed and are being evaluated by Laramie Ranger District specialists on a weekly basis. Wheeled motor vehicles are temporarily prohibited on these roads. Non-motorized access for activities such as hiking, bicycling, hunting, skiing, and rock climbing is still allowed.

The closures were implemented this spring to protect public resources during a fragile time of year, after a combination of wet conditions and years of illegal off-road travel had damaged roadbeds, as well as soil and vegetation resources.

Forest Service officials would like to stress that even with roads beginning to dry and reopen; users must stay on designated routes and may not travel off-road. Help protect public lands so that they may be enjoyed by the entire public.

For more information on the Pole Mountain unit, contact the Laramie Ranger District at (307) 745-2300.