Logging operations to begin on the Seeley Lake Ranger District

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 burned area) and to begin operations for the Liberty II project (within the Liberty Fire burned area).

Rice Ridge fire area snowmobile trail closures:

• Snowmobile trail 63.01 (Seeley Lake-Monture): Closed from milepost 11.4 at the junction of Forest Road 477 (Cottonwood Lakes) and Forest Road 9976 (Kozy Korner) to milepost 16.0 (Junction of Forest Road 477 (Cottonwood Lakes) and Forest Road 602 (Shanley Creek).

• Snowmobile trail 63.13 (Cottonwood- Rich Ranch): Closed from milepost 1.1 (Forest Boundary north of Kozy Korner near Rich Ranch) to milepost 3.4 at the junction of Forest Road 477 (Cottonwood Lakes) and Forest Road 9976 (Kozy Korner).

Liberty Fire area snowmobile trail closures:

• Snowmobile trail 63.07 (Placid Creek-Jocko Pass): Closed from junction of Forest Road 349 (Placid Lake) and Forest Road 60348 (Shining Shirt Road) to junction of Forest Road 349 (Placid Lake) and Forest Road 9974 (Gold Creek).

• Snowmobile trail 63.14 (Gold Creek): Closed from junction of Forest Road 349 (Placid Lake) and Forest Road 9974 (Gold Creek) to junction of Forest Road 4341 and Forest Road 16340.

• Snowmobile trail 63.41 (Elk Meadows): Junction of Forest Road 9974 (Gold Creek) and Forest Road 4341 to junction of Forest Road 9974 (Gold Creek) and Forest Road 4344 (Elk Meadows)

As a reminder, winter travel regulations are now in place on the Seeley Lake Ranger District. Winter motor vehicle use maps are available for free at the Seeley Lake Ranger District. For more information please call the Ranger station at 406-677-2233 or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lolo/alerts-notices.