Pole Mountain seasonal road closures start Feb. 1 to protect forest resources

“Annual, seasonal road closures on the Pole Mountain unit begin Feb. 1 to protect resources in the Medicine Bow National Forest.” The U.S. Forest Service announced the yearly restriction to limit damage during snowmelt and wet conditions, a move that will change travel plans for drivers and recreationists between Laramie and Cheyenne.

The closures take effect Feb. 1 and come under the Pole Mountain Travel Management project decision signed in July 2017. “The decision to seasonally close roads on Pole Mountain during snowmelt and/or wet conditions is a result of the Pole Mountain Travel Management project decision, signed in July 2017. Reduction of resource damage is the intent of the seasonal closures.” All roads on Pole Mountain will be seasonally closed except specific thoroughfares and access points, so local commuters and weekend users should note the allowed routes.

Exceptions include Interstate 80, Wyoming Highway 210, Forest Road 700 west of Vedauwoo Campground, Tie City parking area, Happy Jack parking area, and Forest Roads 719 and 719.A. Signage and gates will mark closed routes; some notices refer to “signage and swinging gates” at key points to ensure easy identification of closed roads.

Pole Mountain remains open for foot and other non-motorized travel. “Pole Mountain is still available for public use with the road closures in place. Non-motorized access for a wide variety of activities and uses is permitted during the closure period.” Cross-country skiers, snowshoers, hikers and equestrians can still use the landscape, but drivers must follow route rules closely. “Even when roads begin to dry and reopen, motorized users must remain on designated routes and are not permitted to travel off-road.”

Parking and trailhead guidance aims to concentrate motor vehicle use at established lots. Three Highway 210 junctions serve as parking access for non-motorized recreation: the junctions with Forest Road 700 (Vedauwoo Road), Forest Road 707 (Blair-Wallis Road) and Forest Road 712 (Telephone Road). Tie City is described as a heavily-used winter trailhead; when the Tie City parking lot is full, visitors are advised to use Happy Jack or the I-80 rest area. “Parking along Highway 210 is not allowed.”

The closure end date is not fixed. “The end date of the annual closure is flexible, as it is dependent on weather and road conditions. District staff will monitor and evaluate conditions on Pole Mountain during late spring to facilitate the re-opening of all roads as soon as practical.” Laramie Ranger District staff will assess drying and road conditions and reopen routes when practical.

For more information about roads on Pole Mountain, contact the Laramie Ranger District at (307) 745-2300. To report first-hand information about incidents of resource damage caused by unauthorized motorized vehicle use, call the Medicine Bow National Forest - Laramie Ranger District anonymous tip line at 307-745-2392. The Forest Service Public Affairs contact is aaron.voos@usda.gov.

The closures reflect a long-term management choice to protect soils, vegetation and trails as snowmelt turns roads into vulnerable corridors. Expect limited motor access through late spring and plan trips around designated parking areas and non-motorized recreation opportunities until district staff confirm full reopenings.