Seasonal reopenings
Highway 108 slated to open to Kennedy Meadows by Monday
With springtime in full bloom, snowmelt underway, and warmer-than-normal temperatures on tap this weekend, at least 19 Stanislaus National Forest roads remain closed, including popular Crabtree Road, while Caltrans District 10 workers as of Thursday planned to reopen Highway 108 to Kennedy Meadows Road to the public by noon Monday.
In addition, Sonora Pass at the top of Highway 108 might open early next week, Caltrans District 10 staff said on Thursday. Remaining work to prepare the paved highway for the summer season included clearing drainage pipes underneath the road; crack-sealing the road surface where needed; fixing signs and guardrails; and dealing with boulders, hazard trees, and other safety issues.
Conditions and circumstances could change for Sonora Pass, Caltrans District 10 staff said. At 9,624 feet above sea level, the pass is the second-highest paved route over the rugged spine of the Central Sierra.
Due to lingering snow, wet conditions, and erosion concerns, a federal Forest Service order issued Wednesday prohibits use of motor vehicles on eight roads in the Summit Ranger District, and 11 roads in the Calaveras Ranger District, effective April 15 to May 31.
Closed roads in Summit Ranger District, which includes forest areas off Highway 108 in Tuolumne County, are Herring Creek Road, also known as Forest Road 4N12; Eagle Meadow Road, Forest Road 5N01; Forest Road 5N11; Forest Road 5N40Y; Crabtree Road, Forest Road 4N26; Crabtree Cutoff Road, Forest Road 4N06Y; Gooseberry Road, Forest Road 4N34; and Forest Road 4N47.
Crabtree, Crabtree Cutoff, Gooseberry and 4N47 provide access to popular trails leading to the Emigrant Wilderness.
Closed roads in Calaveras Ranger District, which includes forest areas off Highway 4 in Calaveras County and Alpine County, are Spicer Road, also known as Forest Road 7N01; Slick Rock Road, Forest
Road 7N17; Forest Road 8 N12 to Pacific Valley; Forest Road 8 N02 to Deer Valley; Highland Lakes Road, Forest Road 8N01; Forest Road 7N93 to Mount Reba/round Valley; Forest Road 7N09 to Cabbage Patch; Forest Road 17EV485 to Corral Hollow; Forest Road 7N23 to Blac Springs; Forest Road 7N02 to Sand Flat; and Forest 6N58.
On-duty local, state and federal law enforcement, fire, and searchand-rescue personnel are exempt from the current order. Individuals with a Forest Service permit exempting them from the current order are also allowed on closed roads in the Stanislaus National Forest.
Road reopenings and closures are key for mountain-based businesses in Calaveras, Alpine and Tuolumne counties every spring.
Aspen Meadow Pack Station, five-and-a-half miles from Highway 108 off Crabtree Road, southeast of Pinecrest and Dodge Ridge, is expected to reopen around June 1, a phone message at the business said Thursday.
Further east on Highway 108, Dardanelle Resort is now taking reservations for RV and tent camping. Dardanelle Resort is not accepting cabin or motel reservations for the 2021 season.
People at Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station, a mile south of Highway 108 and 10 miles below Sonora Pass, are planning to be reopened for business on April 23. Baker Campground and Deadman Campground will also open that day, according to Kennedy Meadows staff. The store, cabins and saloon will be open, and the restaurant will be open for breakfast and lunch on weekends.
“Very little snow around the resort and the river looks great for trout season opener,” Kennedy Meadows staff said in an announcement on Wednesday. Also known as Fishmas, the trout season opener is scheduled for April 24.
Horses won’t be available at Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station until the Memorial Day weekend, a phone message said Thursday.
Matt Bloom, the owner at Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station, said Thursday he and his staff plan to begin reopening Kennedy Meadows on Monday.
Locations and access that staff with the Stanislaus National Forest have received the most questions about in the past month include Clark Fork Road and Kennedy Meadows Road, and in Alpine County, Spicer Reservoir and the reservoir called Lake Alpine.
Stanislaus National Forest roads in the Groveland Ranger District, which includes forest areas off Highway 120, are all open to the public, Forest Service staff said Thursday.