Parts of Guadalupe Mountains to stay closed

From the Carlsbad Current-Argus - CARLSBAD — Although the Lincoln National Forest reopened for public use last Thursday, certain areas in the Guadalupe Ranger District in the Guadalupe Mountains of the LNF remain closed to all hiking and camping. The purpose of the closure is the health and safety of the public as natural processes stabilize the terrain in the specified areas of the Guadalupe Mountains. For those areas open to the public, Stage 2 Fire Restrictions remain in place for all districts. Those specified areas in the Guadalupe Mountains remaining closed are within the boundaries of the Last Chance and Queen fires. The boundaries are the forest administration line or boundary to the east; Highway 137 from near X-Bar Ranch road west to the Rim Road (F.S. Road 67); the Rim Road north to National Livestock Road (F.S. Road 277); National Livestock Road east to the forest boundary. The Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Site is within the closure boundaries along with the rock climbing area at the head of Last Chance Canyon accessed by Forest Service Road 525A off of Highway 137. Hiking trails in the closure area are 68, 68A, 212, 214, 215, 217 and 226, all within the Last Chance, White Oaks, Sitting Bull Canyon and Sitting Bull Falls trail system area. Read more