Locals are itching to get on the mountain but what is even open? Well Ashley National Forest has announced that there have been some areas around Flaming Gorge opening up. The lower gate on the geological loop was just opened. This will allow access to Palisades picnic area, Sheep Creek cave and Big Springs! Please note that there is a small area just before Big Springs that has a bit of snow. The Carmel Campgrounds and Manns Campground have been opened and are $15 per night. Also to note is that NONE of the Forest Roads are open due to snow. As for Flaming Gorge there is still ice that is slowly melting but boats are able to launch at Mustang Ridge and Cedar Springs, with ice starting to break up at Sheep Creek Bay. “Priorities are as follows for the Flaming Gorge, as soon as weather/ice allows access to the lake our team will start placing courtesy docks, campground docks, and then camp docks, while our water treatment team is waiting for the thaw to access their pipes,” shares the announcement. “Our goal is to have everything on the National Recreation Area up and running by Memorial Day. The higher elevations are still to be determined.”
