Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area now open for snowmobiling
The Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest's Bridgeport Ranger District is now open for snowmobiling as of Dec. 23. Currently, the snow depth is approximately 24 inches deep throughout most of the BWRA, which meets the minimum requirement of 24 inches that is needed to open the area.
The People's Gate on California State Route 108 has 0 feet of snow, beyond the Leavitt Lake turnoff snow depths are highly variable with approximately 2 to 4 feet at Sonora Pass.
The BWRA snowpack should hold with cool temperatures and snow is forecasted for the weekend, but more snow is needed to build the base. U.S. Forest Service officials remind winter recreationists to beware of obstacles.
Permits are required for each person entering the BWRA. They are free and can be obtained at the People’s Gate kiosk, Bridgeport Ranger District (HC62, Box 1000, Bridgeport, California) and Carson Ranger District (536 S. Carson St., Carson City, Nevada) or online at:
www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/htnf/recreation/wintersports/recarea/?recid=7074...
Again this year, a beacon checker will be mounted on a Forest Service trailer parked on State Route 108 just west of People’s Gate. It produces audio and visual signals when individuals pass by wearing a transmitting beacon. It was funded by a California State Parks Off-Highway Vehicle Education Grant.
To find out about BWRA snow and avalanche conditions and FREE snowmobile-specific 2017 avalanche awareness clinics, please visit the Bridgeport Avalanche Center’s website at:
http://bridgeportavalanchecenter.org/
Starting the week of December 26th, the Bridgeport Ranger District welcomes our new avalanche forecaster Kyle Van Peursem. Kyle will be posting updates and snow summaries to website as soon as possible. BWRA users are encouraged to post their snow pack and avalanche observations to the website as well. The Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest Bridgeport District is also looking for volunteers to help support our winter recreation program, if interested please contact Adrianne Thatcher, Bridgeport Ranger District’s Recreation Manager, at 760-932-5812 or athatcher@fs.fed.us.