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California Storm-Struck Parks and Forests Still Closed
Big Basin Redwoods State Park in California
The list includes some of the state’s most beloved natural wonders.
(CNN) – One of California's biggest draws is the exquisite scenery in its state parks, national forests, and other related natural sites. But because of the waves of storms that have dumped a year's worth of water on drought-plagued lands in a matter of weeks in some spots, various outdoor recreational areas remain closed.
Especially hard hit was Los Padres National Forest, which is almost 60 miles (97 kilometers) away from Santa Barbara by car.
Damage there was so bad that a 60-day closure was ordered for four ranger districts (Monterey, Santa Lucia, Santa Barbara, and Ojai). The Mt. Pinos District was not in the order.
The order was issued on January 13 because of “extreme winter weather events in early January that caused flooding, debris flows, bridge, road, and trail failures.”
\u201cLos Padres National Forest officials today issued a 60-day closure order for four ranger districts in response to the extreme winter storm that delivered punishing rain and wind across the Forest this week. This closure order takes effect immediately. https://t.co/Vmhz1aoswC\u201d— Los Padres NF (@Los Padres NF) 1673664354
On Tuesday, a tweet posted by Los Padres showed some of the damage that was still being assessed.
It’s possible there will be a reprieve on the 60-day decision.
The closure order said that it would be “superseded or terminated when conditions and recreational access improves.” Los Padres got more 100 percent of its annual rainfall along with high-wind damage earlier this month, the forest’s website said.
On top of that, stretches of the roads to get to the national forest are compromised.
Other closures in California
California’s state park system also took a big hit from the deluges, and some of its sites are closed.
Twenty-one state parks, beaches, reserves, and related sites were fully closed as of 6:45 p.m. PT on January 24, and another 40 places were partially closed.
The damage and the closures have been widespread.
Some of the closures included El Capitán State Beach in Santa Barbara County and Limekiln State Park in Monterey County, some 165 miles (265 kilometers) away on a partially closed highway.
Click here for the most current updates from the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
Other kinds of full and partial closures
It’s not just the recent wicked winter rainstorms that have closed down natural areas. Others are closed for more normal seasonal weather, previous weather events, or both.
At Death Valley National Park, an access road to a trailhead is partially closed because of snow. And “many other roads remain closed due to damage and debris from major flooding this summer,” according to park management.
Meanwhile, Devils Postpile National Monument, near Yosemite National Park in the heart of the Sierra Nevada range, is closed for the long winter season and is only open during the summer months.
Speaking of Yosemite, you’ll need a reservation to drive into the park on February 10-12, February 17-19, or February 24-26 because of the popular "Firefall" event at Horsetail Fall.
With so many partial and full closures, you should check the status of any state or national park before committing to travel plans.
The-CNN-Wire
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