Updated (9-22-20): Bighorn Fire Closure Order
Good news!
The Catalina Ranger District has updated the Bighorn Fire Closure Order (again!) to include an increased number of open sites and areas. The updated order can be found here, and the new map is here.
CASA has been in communication with the Forest Service to ensure we understand the meaning and purpose of this order.
The order allows access to any area outside of the burn scar, including all Bear Canyon, Windy Point and Lower Highway climbing areas. Please carefully consult the map to see the boundary of the burn scar.
The order closes all established trails within the burn scar, and therefore restricts access to some popular areas, including but not limited to:
- All Summit crags (The Fortress, Rappel Rock, The Ravens, Avalon, Wilderness of Rocks)
- Some Upper Highway crags, including The Steep and Ireland.
- Some Mid-Mountain areas including Ridgeline and Boneyard
Closed trails of note include: Aspen, Lemmon, Marshall Gulch, Meadow, Butterfly, Incinerator Ridge, Box Camp, Finger Rock, Pontatoc and Sunset.
While off-trail travel within the burn scar is not is not explicitly prohibited, CASA asks climbers to avoid the burn scar area to prevent erosion, reduce user risk, and allow new plants and trees to grow and get established.
Please do not use any of the closed trails listed in this current order. The Forest Service would also like to remind users that as part of its Management Plan for the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, “Cross-country travel should be discouraged to limit impacts to vegetation, soils, water, and wildlife.” This is especially the case post-fire. Please give the land some time to heal and for the plants and animals to get re-established.
Thank you and see you at the crag!
The Catalina Ranger District has updated the Bighorn Fire Closure Order (again!) to include an increased number of open sites and areas. The updated order can be found here, and the new map is here.
CASA has been in communication with the Forest Service to ensure we understand the meaning and purpose of this order.
The order allows access to any area outside of the burn scar, including all Bear Canyon, Windy Point and Lower Highway climbing areas. Please carefully consult the map to see the boundary of the burn scar.
The order closes all established trails within the burn scar, and therefore restricts access to some popular areas, including but not limited to:
- All Summit crags (The Fortress, Rappel Rock, The Ravens, Avalon, Wilderness of Rocks)
- Some Upper Highway crags, including The Steep and Ireland.
- Some Mid-Mountain areas including Ridgeline and Boneyard
Closed trails of note include: Aspen, Lemmon, Marshall Gulch, Meadow, Butterfly, Incinerator Ridge, Box Camp, Finger Rock, Pontatoc and Sunset.
While off-trail travel within the burn scar is not is not explicitly prohibited, CASA asks climbers to avoid the burn scar area to prevent erosion, reduce user risk, and allow new plants and trees to grow and get established.
Please do not use any of the closed trails listed in this current order. The Forest Service would also like to remind users that as part of its Management Plan for the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, “Cross-country travel should be discouraged to limit impacts to vegetation, soils, water, and wildlife.” This is especially the case post-fire. Please give the land some time to heal and for the plants and animals to get re-established.
Thank you and see you at the crag!
CASA's Statement Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic (6/8 Update)
CASA would like to encourage members of our community to continue to be respectful of others as the world rolls back measures taken to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and the summer heat begins to shrink the pool of temperate crags.
Climbing is a source for exercise, fresh air, and camaraderie which make it fundamental for the mental and social well being of many in our community. It is important that while maintaining our own well being we also continue to practice hygienic measures to ensure our personal safety. It is equally important to remember that the measures we feel comfortable taking may not align with the measures required to make another person feel comfortable.
Please be considerate of those we share our natural and wild areas with while recreating outdoors.
Stay safe and stay considerate.
Climbing is a source for exercise, fresh air, and camaraderie which make it fundamental for the mental and social well being of many in our community. It is important that while maintaining our own well being we also continue to practice hygienic measures to ensure our personal safety. It is equally important to remember that the measures we feel comfortable taking may not align with the measures required to make another person feel comfortable.
Please be considerate of those we share our natural and wild areas with while recreating outdoors.
Stay safe and stay considerate.
