Damage temporarily closes road in eastern Ochoco NF

Several miles of road south of Black Canyon Wilderness are temporarily closed to the public while workers repair the hole left behind after a large tree fell.

This week, forest employees discovered a 10-foot deep and 20-foot wide hole in Forest Road 5850400 that occurred when an adjacent Ponderosa pine recently fell. The tree’s roots were directly under the road’s surface, and when the tree fell, the roots tore out a large section of road.

The road is located about 3 miles south of Black Canyon Wilderness and 2 miles southeast of Mud Springs Campground, within the Paulina Ranger District.

Traveling east from the closure, the road extends for less than 2 miles through public land before entering private property.

Road closure signs are in place at the road’s junction with Forest Road 5850, and the closure will remain in effect until repairs are complete. Repair work is scheduled to begin on Friday, April 22.