Would someone please print here the person and address to write, to protest the closing of Deep Creek? I admit I don't feel like looking for it all over the web site, so could someone please copy it here?

I think that it is absolutely true that it is safer to have responsible people visiting the springs than having it closed so that only scofflaws, especially those who might build a fire, will visit it.

As for trash, I always carry some out in addition to my own, and if I saw someone with a fire, I would report it to the Park service.

I am waiting a while longer to see if they open the Springs, but if they don't open it in a reasonable time or convince me there is a very good reason not to, I will have to consider breaking the law. The springs belong to the people, and I consider myself a human being.

I do think that they could put signs up or block trails off, with threat of heavy fines, to keep people out of the dangerous parts of the forest. One time in the past, I visited the Springs, not knowing it was closed, and though there was a small piece of paper posted at the Bowen ranch entrance, I figured, "Well, if it's REALLY closed, there will be a sign up at the entrance way telling us so". (Admittedly I did not want to believe it was, as I had just driven 2 and 1/2 hours to arrive there, and was looking forward to a hot soak) There was no official sign, so I entered, and I wasn't the only one there.

I think if the Forest Service is serious about closing the forest they should at least put up a real sign at all known entrances!

But the bottom line is, if they are going to keep DCHS closed, they should have good reason to do so and they should make a case for that, to us, the people who use it and especially those who help care for it.