Bridgeport Ranger District Announces Opening of New Winter Trail System
Bridgeport, Calif. – January 12, 2022 – The Bridgeport Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in coordination with Mono County will seasonally close to motorized wheeled vehicles a portion of Buckeye Road from Twin Lakes Road to the Buckeye Campground to allow for winter sports activities including Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, winter fat biking, and Over Snow Vehicles (OSV). The Bridgeport Winter Trail System pilot program is expected to be in effect from January through April of 2022.
“Volunteers approached District recreation employees with a proposal to open new Nordic skiing opportunities in the Bridgeport area,” said Recreation Special Uses Permit Administrator Alex Van Raalte. “After considering a range of potential locations, the southern portion of Buckeye Road was selected as the best option to provide a safe corridor for winter recreationists. The trail will be groomed and maintained by volunteers as weather permits.”
Amenities will be limited. The vault toilet near Buckeye Hot Spring will only be open if weather allows. The only available parking is near Doc & Al’s Resort off Twin Lakes Road. The northern portion of Buckeye Road is not plowed and will remain inaccessible during the winter. Recreationists should be self-sufficient and prepared for winter weather including avalanche conditions by checking https://bridgeportavalanchecenter.org/.
Grooming updates will be available at https://monocounty.ca.gov/sustainable-recreation/page/bridgeport-winter-trail-system once operations begin. Wheeled vehicle operators are asked to respect the seasonal closure to allow winter recreationists a safe forest experience and to protect the road and other resources.
“If this pilot program is successful,” concluded Van Raalte, “it may allow other areas of the Bridgeport Ranger District to be considered for cross-country skiing opportunities as well.”
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