Major closures to impact visitor access this weekend

Visitors to San Bernardino National Forest are urged to plan ahead before heading out this weekend. Damage from the winter storm on Thurs., Feb. 14, prompted the closure of several mountain arteries and U.S. Forest Service roads. And with more storms predicted for over the weekend, more impacts could occur.

Damage to highways 18, 38, 74 and 243 has prompted Caltrans to close routes leading to the Idyllwild and Big Bear areas. Currently, Idyllwild and surrounding communities are inaccessible to non-residents and the only way into the Big Bear Valley is via the backside of Highway 18 from Lucerne Valley in the Mojave Desert. However, Caltrans is scheduled to reopen Highway 38 this evening. As the situation is fluid, the public is urged to keep checking Caltrans’ Quickmap tool at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ for new closings and any re-openings over the weekend and beyond.

The highway closures, if they remain, mean popular areas on the forest will be largely inaccessible, including the snow play area in Snow Valley along Highway 18, Bee Canyon, a popular target shooting and off-highway vehicle area off Highway 74 and Idyllwild-area trails into the San Jacinto Wilderness. Additionally, the visitor center in Idyllwild at the San Jacinto Ranger Station will be closed throughout the weekend. The Big Bear Discovery Center will reopen on Saturday, but phones and internet are out.

In Lytle Creek, on the eastern edge of the San Gabriel Mountains, numerous Forest Service roads are closed:

• 1N33 (leads to West End Gun Club)
• 1N34 (San Servaine)
• 2N56 (Sheep Cyn)
• 2N58 (Middle Fork)
• 2N79 (Penstock)
• 3N06 (Stockton Flats)
• 3N29 (off Lone Pine Cyn)
• 3N31Y (Upper Lytle Divide)
• 3N33 (Stockton Flats area)
• 1N34 (San Sevaine)

Despite the closures, the Lytle Creek Visitor Center will be open.

In addition to the annual winter road closures, a few Forest Service roads in the San Bernardino Mountains have been impacted:

• 1N12 (leading to Thomas Hunting Grounds)
• 2N43 (Sawpit Canyon)
• 2N49 (Sugarpine Mountain)
• 3N14 (Coxey)

The public is urged to use caution when on all Forest Roads, especially after storm events, as conditions may change. To report damage, use the Feedback Form. More closures unrelated to the recent storm are listed on the forest’s Alerts & Notices webpage and mobile app for iPhones and Android devices.