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SEELEY LAKE - The following over-snow vehicle use routes / snowmobile trails will be temporarily closed during the week, Monday – Friday, for winter logging activities and for public safety while the Westside Bypass Wildfire Resiliency project is implemented. The trails will be open for weekends (Saturday – Sunday). The project will help address existing fuel and vegetation conditions that contribute to an increased risk of severe wildfire in areas adjacent to state and private lands. Tra...
SEELEY LAKE - On Aug. 2, an intense rain shower event occurred in the Monture area, on the Seeley Lake Ranger District just north of Ovando, Montana. The combination of intense rain, very steep slopes, geology and 2017 post-burn conditions resulted in debris flows within the tributaries of Spread, Falls, Bill and Yellowjacket Creeks. Debris flows impacted the Monture Campground, Monture Outfitter and Guide camp and Monture Creek Trail (#27) at Spread and Bill Creeks. No people were injured in...
SEELEY LAKE - On Aug. 2, an intense rain shower event occurred in the Monture area, on the Seeley Lake Ranger District just north of Ovando, Montana. The combination of intense rain, very steep slopes, geology and 2017 post-burn conditions resulted in debris flows within the tributaries of Spread, Falls, Bill and Yellowjacket Creeks. debris flows impacted the Monture Campground, Monture Outfitter and Guide camp and Monture Creek Trail (#27) at Spread and Bill Creeks. No people were injured in...
SEELEY LAKE - The Forest Service invites the public to provide feedback on the Westside Bypass Wildfire Resiliency Project on the Seeley Lake Ranger District located northwest of Highway 83 and Seeley Lake. The project focuses on addressing hazardous forest fuel and vegetation conditions that contribute to an increased risk of a severe wildfire on national forest lands. Forest Service managers and partners from the Montana Department of Natural Resources met with the public two weeks ago for a virtual engagement session focused on the project...
SEELEY LAKE – The Forest Service invites the public to participate in a virtual meeting on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The goal of this meeting will be to share information and gather input about the Westside Bypass Wildfire Resiliency Project on the Seeley Lake Ranger District. The project is located north and northwest of Seeley Lake in Missoula County and focuses on improving forest health and hazardous fuel conditions that have increased the concern of severe wildfire and f...
The Lolo National Forest announced the following campground and recreation site seasonal closures and updates: Seeley Lake Ranger District: • Seeley Lake and Lakeside Campgrounds closed on Sept. 8 • Extended season! River Point Campground will remain open free of charge until Sept. 28. • Big Larch Campground will remain open and free of charge until snowfall with camp hosts. Water services will be available until the end of September. • Big Larch dock will be pulled for the season on Oct. 1...
SEELEY LAKE - The Lolo National Forest Supervisor has signed the Record of Decision for the Center Horse Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Center Horse project includes restoration activities and road treatments to improve water quality, restore or enhance fish and wildlife habitat, and conserve and improve soil resources. The project will also set the transportation network within the project area to meet public and administrative needs. The project area is in Missoula and Powell Counties on the Seeley Lake Ranger District. It...
SEELEY LAKE - Construction for the Smokes Cabin bridge replacement project will begin at the end of July and last through Sept. 1. The Smokes Cabin bridge crosses the North Fork of the Blackfoot River via Hobnail Tom Trail #32 at milepost 3.1. The current bridge has reached its appropriate lifespan and needs to be updated. During construction, the bridge crossing will be closed for public safety. The District’s goal is to complete the project ahead of the majority of hunting season. Trail #32 will remain open for use. Outfitters and the g...
SEELEY LAKE – Multiple bridge and culvert replacement projects are in progress or scheduled to begin within the next 2-3 weeks on the Seeley Lake Ranger District. Temporary road closures will be in place for public safety due to heavy machinery operations and temporarily impassable road segments in the project areas. “We thank the public for their patience and understanding as we work on these critical repairs,” said Quinn Carver, Seeley Lake District Ranger. “These repairs will ensure recreational access and long-term road integrity as well...
Although spring has officially arrived, unpredictable weather is creating variable conditions across the Seeley Lake Ranger District. Large amounts of snow remain at high elevations, while lower elevations may be experiencing spring melt. Melting snow and ice creates soft roadbeds and poses challenges and risks to driving out on the Forest. The District is asking the visiting public to avoid driving on roads that are wet. Traveling on soft roadbeds can lead to expensive repairs, longer-term closures to fix problems and potentially vehicles...
SEELEY LAKE - The second phase of timber management for root disease around the Big Larch Campground will start within the next two weeks. Bull Creek Forestry, a local contractor, will work to remove dead, dying and diseased trees around the campground to prevent further spread. While work will not be happening directly in the campground, machinery and crews will be working in the vicinity. The public is advised to be aware of heavy equipment and crews of workers nearby. The work is expected to be completed before the campground opens for the...
SEELEY LAKE – Beginning this week, winter salvage logging operations will resume on parts of the Seeley Lake Ranger District and some areas will be closed to snowmobile use for public safety due to large equipment operating in these areas. Operations will be ongoing throughout the winter until early spring; associated snowmobile trail closures will be signed. The following snowmobile trails will be closed to complete the Dark Horse and Left Mule salvage operations (within the Rice Ridge Fire b...
SEELEY LAKE - Variable snow conditions exist throughout the Seeley Lake Ranger District with limited snow at low elevations and larger snow accumulations at high elevations making Forest travel hard to plan and predict. The District is preparing to transition to Winter Motor Vehicle Use (MVUM) with some exceptions. These exceptions are to provide the public some wheeled vehicle motorized access until snow conditions change and are favorable for over the snow use and associated trail grooming. The following roads will be open to wheeled...
SEELEY LAKE - The Forest Service released the Decision Memo for the Liberty II Fire Salvage project, located on the Seeley Lake Ranger District approximately 10 miles southwest of Seeley Lake within the 2017 Liberty Fire burned area. The objectives of the Liberty II Fire Salvage project are to improve the recovery, health and resiliency of forest vegetation and support the economic vitality of local communities. In 2017, the Liberty Fire burned 28,686 acres across multiple jurisdictions including 9,440 acres of National Forest System Lands....
SEELEY LAKE – The northern one mile section of Dunham Creek Road #4388 on the Seeley Lake Ranger District will be closed beginning Oct. 29 for repairs following a summer debris flow. In late July, the Spruce Creek drainage which typically flows under the Dunham Creek Road by way of a culvert, experienced a large, natural debris flow event that temporarily closed the road. Although emergency repairs were quickly made after the debris flow in July, follow-up assessments by engineers and h...
SEELEY LAKE - Road decommissioning work associated with the Rice Ridge post-fire response is underway on the Seeley Lake Ranger District in the Black Canyon, Little Shanley, Dunham Creek, and Morrell Creek areas. These roads were previously closed to public motorized use and were historically used for administrative use and vegetation management. However, portions of these roads are no longer needed and will be decommissioned for sediment reduction, slope stabilization, cost reduction and...
SEELEY LAKE - The North Fork Cabin bridge that provides access over the North Fork of the Blackfoot River, near the North Fork Cabin on Trail 32 in the Scapegoat Wilderness, will be replaced beginning July 22. Due to the new bridge reconstruction, a trail closure will be in effect July 22 - Sept. 15. To avoid the closure during this time frame, please utilize a flagged reroute on Trail 364, which includes a river ford, to bypass the closure. This reroute will take visitors around the bridge...
SEELEY LAKE – Trail closures continue on the Seeley Lake Ranger District to assist with the salvage logging operations on the Rice Ridge and Liberty Fires. Travelers on all of these routes should be mindful of truck traffic and use caution. Questions or for the most up-to-date information please contact the District, 677-2233. • East side of Rice/Richmond Ridge Loop (FS road 4353): Closure from 12 a.m. Monday to Friday at 12 p.m. for snowmobiles. The road is plowed to the junction with the Pyramid Pass Road from the Cottonwood Lakes Road. Thi...
Due to existing weather conditions (limited low elevation snow) the Seeley Lake Ranger District is notifying the public of some exceptions to the 2015 Lolo National Forest Visitor Use Map. These exceptions are to provide the public some wheeled vehicle motorized access until snow conditions change and are favorable for over-the-snow use and associated trail grooming. The following roads will be open to wheeled motorized use until Dec. 15 unless snow conditions change: • Cottonwood Lakes Road (FSR 477) – Open to just past the gun range on the...
SEELEY LAKE –District Ranger Rachel Feigley announced that Matthew Walter has been selected as the recreation staff on the Seeley Lake Ranger District. This position is responsible for developed and dispersed recreation, trails, Wilderness, recreation events, and outfitter/guides on the District. Walter will begin his new position Jan. 7, 2019 replacing Katie Knotek who took a position in Missoula this fall. Walter began working for the Forest Service in 2000 in Leadville, Colorado on the P...
The Lolo National Forest is proposing the Morrell Stream Restoration Project located approximately seven miles northeast of Seeley Lake. The project area is situated within the upper reaches of the Morrell Creek watershed and is located entirely on National Forest System lands. Morrell Creek is an important tributary to the Clearwater River and is designated as Bull Trout Critical Habitat by the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. The purpose and need for this project is the result of past riparian and valley bottom timber harvest practices....
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Ranger District has announced a Nov. 30 deadline for submitting 2018/2019 winter/spring Recreation Event Special Use Permit applications. Applications received past this deadline will not be accepted for review. A Recreation Event Special Use Permit is required for organizing any use or activity on National Forest System lands that meets either of the following criteria, regardless of whether the use or activity is intended to produce a profit: • Where an entry or participation fee is charged. Donations are c...
SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Ranger District is wrapping up their summer activities and turning attention to fall projects. Many fall projects are in the works and are dynamic. For the most current information contact the Ranger District at 406-677-2233. Road Work Morrell Bridge, the road to Morrell Falls trailhead, will be fixed this fall and the old bridge removed. The Henry Mountain road #5407 within the Marshall Creek Wildlife Management Area is now open. The District is currently working o...
SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Ranger District opened areas east and west of Boy Scout Road from Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 for personal use firewood cutting. Firewood cutting is subject to all terms and conditions of the firewood permit. The areas of special consideration are located in T17N, R16W Section 20 on the east of Boy Scout Roadd, west of Boy Scout Road to Westside Bypass Road in Section 18, 19, 20 and 29. While the area is scheduled to be open for the next month, it may be closed sooner if...
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Ranger District is planning to conduct prescribed burning this fall if weather, fuel and air quality conditions allow for safe and effective operations. The project areas with planned burning are located in four locations, two of which are directly adjacent to Seeley Lake. One is located just south of Seeley Lake within the Horeshoe Hills area, while the other is just north of Seeley Lake at the Auggie project area. The other two areas are near the Colt Summit and Swan Face project areas. All project areas have mul...
