Sonora, Calif., (Dec. 11, 2014)…The Forest Service announced today that most forest roads and trails on the Stanislaus National Forest will be closed to public travel from December 16 through April 14, 2015.

A revised Stanislaus National Forest (NF) Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) is now available to the public. Some Forest roads are open year-round while other roads and trails are normally open to the public from April 15 through December 15.

Additionally, roads may close due to local weather conditions as necessary. The Summit Ranger District has closed all Forest Service roads on the District as of 4 p.m.  Thursday, due to severe wind and storm predictions with expected snow levels to be low enough to affect public safety and resources; all applicable gates are also currently closed.

Be advised that Forest roads are not maintained for winter or wet weather use. Use caution and drive defensively when traveling on open roads in the forest through the winter. Rocks, snow and ice may be encountered in the roadway. Wet, saturated roadbeds are easily damaged, causing the need for costly repairs to roads and adjacent resources.

Contact your local Ranger District office for current information on roads and conditions before traveling on the Forest: the Stanislaus NF Supervisor’s Office at:  209-532-3671; Calaveras Ranger District (RD) at 209-795-1381; Groveland RD 209-962-7825; Mi-Wok RD at 209-586-3234 or Summit RD at 209-965-3434.