Caribou-Targhee National Forest winter travel regulations for eastern
Idaho's Ashton/Island
Park Ranger District went into effect Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, the day after the
Thanksgiving Day holiday.
The official Travel Map for the Ashton/Island Park Ranger
District describes winter travel opportunities for both winter cross-country
use and winter designated routes. This map along with the snowmobile map
produced by the Island Park Chamber of Commerce shows winter recreationists
groomed snowmobile trails; groomed cross-country ski trails, areas with
seasonal closures and areas closed to protect wildlife winter ranges or
designated Wilderness. Maps may be obtained through the Ashton/Island Park
Ranger District or the Island Park Chamber of Commerce.
Light snow conditions may still allow passenger vehicle
traffic on National Forest roads open to summer motorized travel. Vehicle
travel will be allowed until snow depth prevents cars and trucks from using the
roadways or Fremont
County begins snowmobile
trail grooming. Roads maintained by Fremont County
are not open to snowmobile use.
Most of the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District is open to
winter cross-country motorized use. However, there are a few areas
displayed on the map in purple hues that are closed to winter cross-country
motorized use. The area known as Big Bend Ridge is closed to winter
cross-country use until Jan. 1 for the security of the elk and deer
migrating to their winter range west of the Forest.
Another large area closed to over-snow motorized vehicles is an area from the
south side of the Island Park Reservoir east to Henrys Fork
River, south to Highway
20 and Green Canyon Road. This
area is the Thurmon Ridge area and Harriman
State Park. Winegar
Hole Wilderness and Jedediah Smith Wilderness are closed to snowmobile
use.
People recreating on snowmachines are asked to be respectful
of private property. The groomed snowmobile trails in Fremont County
depend on the approval of private land owners to allow the trail to cross their
property to connect the trails to the National Forest. Unless identified
as a designated route, users should always ask before entering private
property. Trespassing or inappropriate behavior could result in a loss of
easement trail privileges, affecting connectivity of the trail system for
Ashton and Island
Park.
Persons should be aware of avalanche conditions before
planning their outing, for Wyoming
information contact (307) 733-2664. Having a sound plan, providing someone
at home your itinerary could prevent tragedy. To report an avalanche
observation call (307) 739-2607. If you need information for the north end
of the district or you have any snowpack or avalanche observations, drop a line
to mtavalanche@gmail.com or
call (406) 587-6984.
For more information on winter recreation opportunities on
the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, contact either the Ashton Ranger
Station at (208) 652-7442 or Island Park Ranger Station at (208) 558-7301.