[Az-Geocaching] First Water ?

[loran @cox]

Maybe that's why I had Peralta Trail all to myself this morning. I noticed
that there were no signs that this was a pay area as it had been in the
pass. But there where no signs that said the trail was closed or being
closed. There were other three other cars in the parking area when I came
down but since I did the loop to get the caches I never ran into anyone on
the trail.

It was a great day to hike as the temps stayed low, and I got all four
caches.

Loran (Team Sand Dollar)

----- Original Message -----
From: Jerry Nelson <peakbagger2@juno.com>
To: <listserv@azgeocaching.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 1:58 PM
Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] First Water ?


>
> Yes, it's closed.  Below is a press release I was just sent from the FS.
>
> Jerry-Offtrail
>
>
>
> NEWS           United States       Tonto National Forest
>                     Department of        2324 E. McDowell Rd.
>                     Agriculture          Phoenix, Arizona 85006
>                                    (602) 225-5200
>                                    www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/
>
> For Immediate Release
>                               Contacts:  Jim Payne (602) 225-5291 or
>                                           Ken Palmrose (602) 225-5229
>
>                  TONTO CLOSES MAJORITY OF FOREST TO ENTRY
>
> Phoenix, Ariz--- May 20, 2002---Due to extreme wildfire conditions
> coupled
> with the increased risk of human-caused fires, Tonto National Forest
> officials are implementing the most severe fire restrictions in the
> Forest's history.  "Effective Wednesday, May 22, 2002 at 8:00 a.m.,
> approximately 80 percent of the Tonto NF will be closed to entry except
> by
> permit," stated Karl Siderits, Tonto National Forest Supervisor.
>
> The only exceptions to the closure are the "Chain of Lakes," the area
> west
> of the Verde River, the Goldfield Mountain area south of Saguaro Lake,
> and
> The Rolls area north of Saguaro Lake.  With the exception of the Chain of
> Lakes, campfires are banned throughout the entire Tonto National Forest.
> Campfires will be allowed in the Chain of Lakes only in developed
> recreation sites with the exception of the Bagley site at Saguaro Lake.
> (The Chain of Lakes refers to Roosevelt, Apache, Saguaro, Canyon,
> Bartlett,
> and Horseshoe lakes and includes the Lower Verde and Lower Salt rivers).
> Arizona State highways within the Tonto National Forest remain open.
>
> Fee campgrounds along Highway 260 east of Payson will also remain open;
> however no fires will be allowed. The open campgrounds are Ponderosa,
> Upper
> Tonto Creek, Christopher Creek, Sharp Creek, and Houston Mesa.
>
> "This has not been an easy decision, especially with the upcoming
> Memorial
> Day weekend.   This short-term inconvenience will help prevent possible
> long-term effects from large destructive wildfires.  My staff and I have
> received overwhelming public support for restrictive closures," Siderits
> added.
>
> Currently, escaped and illegal campfires are occurring across all public
> lands in Arizona.  According to Tonto NF Law Enforcement Officer Tom
> Lister,  "Officers from national forests around the state are reporting
> the
> continued occurrence of illegal campfires and smoking violations.  These
> illegal fires increase the chances of major wildfires and cause a drain
> on
> local firefighting and law enforcement resources that must respond to
> every
> new start.
>
>                                   -more-
>
> Tonto NF closures-2
>
> We are working closely with the US Attorney's Office concerning the
> issuance of citations for illegal campfires and also to recover the
> suppression costs from those found guilty of such criminal carelessness."
>
> Violators may be subject to a $5000 fine, six months in jail, or both.
> People who start wildfires may be liable for the entire suppression cost.
>
>
> For further information regarding Tonto National Forest fire closures,
> restrictions, and recreation information, please call (602) 225-5200.
>
> For general information on fire activity and restrictions in Arizona call
> toll free 877-864-6985, or visit the Southwest Region website at
> www.fs.fed/r3/fire, or the statewide Fire Prevention Team at
> www.azfireinfo.com.
>
>
>
>                                     ###
>
>
> On Tue, 21 May 2002 13:30:05 -0700 Chelby Geiss <chelby@desertsol.com>
> writes:
> > Is anyone more familiar with First Water Trailhead?  We took
> > advantage
> > of the weather and took a hike.  Got to the horse staging are to pay
> > our
> > fee and the fee boxes are gone.  I didn't know if they did this
> > every
> > year during the summer.  Am slightly worried that they may be
> > getting
> > ready to close this area.
> > Just curious!
> > C:)
> > Team desertSol
> > Chelby & Kevin
> > +
> > Kiva and Lancer (German Shepherds)
> > Apache Junction, AZ
> > www.desertsol.com/~chelby/geocaching
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Az-Geocaching mailing list
> > listserv@azgeocaching.com
> > http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching
> >
> > Arizona's Geocaching Resource
> > http://www.azgeocaching.com
> >
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