After kicking off the summer recreation season Memorial Day weekend with summer like weather, conditions this week returned to cold, wet and even snowy on the Plumas National Forest and aren’t expected to warm until after the weekend.
With the return to spring weather, Forest visitors should be prepared for changing conditions, cooler temperatures and the possibility of thunderstorms.
Nearly all recreation sites on the Forest are now open for the season, including at Antelope Lake, Bucks Lake, Frenchman Lake, Gold Lake, Lakes Basin and Lake Davis. Recreation sites could be accessed earlier than usual this year due to periods of hot weather and melted snow pack. This is allowing many to open for the summer season ahead of schedule.
Gold Lake 4×4 Camp and Hutchins Group Camp open for the season June 6. Reservations are required for both locations at www.Recreation.gov.
Reservations can be made online or by calling 877-444-6777. The reservation phone number is staffed daily 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. PDT. Approximately 40 campgrounds on the Plumas National Forest have reservations available through www.Recreation.gov.
At Little Grass Valley Reservoir near La Porte, Wyandotte, Peninsula Tent Camp and Tooms campgrounds on the peninsula opened for the season yesterday, as well as Horse Camp on the northeast side of the lake. Typically these sites don’t open until mid-June or early July due to snow.
Red Feather Campground at Little Grass Valley Reservoir Recreation Area is being operated by concessionaire Royal Elk Park Management again this year. The campground is scheduled to open June 26 with reservations available on www.Recreation.gov.
Also on the Feather River Ranger District, Sly Creek Campground opened for the season last weekend, earlier than scheduled. There is not an estimated date for Strawberry Campground.
The Plumas National Forest has already had reports of a few small wildfires this season as fuels are drying. Area residents and visitors are asked to use caution with anything that can spark a wildfire.
There are currently no fire restrictions in place. But campfires should never be left unattended and should be dead-out and cold to the touch before leaving.
Trailer chains should be secured and not dragging, and spark arresters should be functioning properly on motorized equipment, including off-highway vehicles, generators and chainsaws.
The recent cold, wet weather over the forest created conditions which may affect access. Drivers need to be aware that they may still encounter icy or muddy conditions, especially on roads and trails on the northern sides of mountains and in shaded areas.
These areas increase the risk of getting stuck, as well as potentially damaging roads. If tread tracks are visible in the rearview mirror, drivers are asked to park and walk or turn around and find another area to visit.
Hikers should be aware of these same conditions on area trails and are encouraged to avoid hiking on muddy trails.
Early season weather can be widely varied, ranging from warm and sunny during the day to cold at night. Late spring storms can come on suddenly. Being prepared with layered clothing, plenty of food and water, good footwear and the right gear is highly recommended.
It’s always good for any forest adventure to make sure in addition to the right supplies that you let someone know where you are going, when you plan to be back and start with a full tank of gas.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/r05/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.
