USFS sets trail, road closures for West Bend Project

Beginning Monday, the Deschutes National Forest will be closing sections of two trails immediately west of Bend in the Phil’s Trail System area.

Storm King Trail will be closed f or about 1.7 miles from its junction with FS 4615 to its junction with FS 4615-200. Grand Slam Trail will be closed for about 0.9 miles west of its junction with FS 4615-200 to its junction with Storm King Trail.

Trail users on Grand Slam Trail can use a temporary reroute along FS 4615-200 south to reconnect with the Storm King Trail.

In addition, portions of roads FS 4615-800 and FS 4615-810 will be closed to all use. These trails and roads will be closed Monday through Friday, with access reopening at 5 p.m. on Friday through Sunday evening. Trails and roads will also be open on federal holidays including Labor Day. Closures on these trails will likely last through fall.

The public is reminded that operators are working with large equipment cutting and moving trees and cannot see people or dogs walking through the area and may not be able to prevent an accident. During logging operations, woody debris can be flung over 500 feet from equipment, presenting a danger to the public within the closure areas. For both public and operator safety, please respect all signed closures.

While the closure is in place Monday through Friday, the public is encouraged to plan ahead and ride in other areas.

Please check the online interactive map for the latest closures within the West Bend project area: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/west-bend/