Begin forwarded message: From: "Pierce, Karl" <karl_pie...@nps.gov<mailto:karl_pie...@nps.gov>> Subject: Guadalupe Mountains National Park News Release - Storm Closure Update Date: September 13, 2013 4:48:57 PM MDT To: undisclosed-recipients:; Bcc: <bels...@valornet.com<mailto:bels...@valornet.com>>
National Park Service Guadalupe Mountains 400
Pine Canyon Drive
U.S. Department of the Interior National Park
Salt Flat, TX 79847
915-828-3251 phone
915-828-3269 fax
Guadalupe Mountains News Release
Release date: Immediate
Contact(s): Karl M. Pierce
Phone number: 432-940-2440
Email: karl_pie...@nps.gov<mailto:karl_pie...@nps.gov>
Date: September 13, 2013
Release code: 13-08
Guadalupe Mountains National Park Storm Closure Update
(Pine Springs, TX) Park Superintendent Dennis A. Vásquez announced that
although most of the park areas closed by the recent storm will remain closed,
the park is beginning to open some areas, as park staff is able to assess
damage and begin effecting repairs from heavy rains and flooding.
The Pine Springs Visitor Center remains open to provide information and assist
visitors and motorists, and the Pine Springs Campground and the Pinery have
reopened. Frijole Ranch Road is open as far as the corral, and visitors may
hike from there to Smith Spring, from the west side only, and to Manzanita
Spring. The Smith Spring Trail remains closed between Smith Spring and
Manzanita Spring. The Guadalupe Peak Trail, the Horse Trail from Guadalupe
Peak, the Pinery Trail and the first mile, only, of the Devil’s Hall Trail have
reopened, as well. The Guadalupe Peak Backcountry Campground is also open.
However, most trails still have loose rocks and uneven ground, and many require
shallow water crossings, and hikers and backpackers should exercise
extreme caution. The park hopes to open the Frijole Ranch Cultural History
Museum tomorrow morning.
McKittrick Canyon, Williams Ranch, the Salt Basin Dunes, Dog Canyon and all
other ackcountry areas, unpaved roads and trails will remain closed, at least
through the weekend, as water levels continue to recede and the park begins to
dry out.
“This was a very unusual event. Even people who have been here a long time
cannot remember a rain event like this. The ground is still saturated in many
areas, and creeks, arroyos, springs and seeps are still running, even though
the water has receded. Williams Ranch Road and several trails have washed out
areas, which will take time to repair. We are continuing to monitor and assess
conditions, and will continue to open the closed areas of the park as soon as
it is safe to do so. As always, our primary concern is for the safety of park
visitors and staff,and for the protection of park resources,” said Vásquez.
The Texas Department of Transportation reported that FM 1437, FM 2249 and
FM1575, in the Dell City area, are now open. However, the New Mexico Department
of Transportation is reporting that NM 137 to Dog Canyon will remain closed
between mile marker 1 and mile marker 54 until early next week. There will be
no access to Dog Canyon until that road re-opens. The National Weather Service
reported that the Bowl recorded 12.41 inches of rain during a 24 hour period
from September 11-12, while Dog Canyon recorded 9.50 inches, McKittrick Canyon
recorded 7.32 inches and the Pinery recorded 5.12 inches. The Texas Tech
University West Texas Mesonet
(http://www.mesonet.ttu.edu<http://www.mesonet.ttu.edu/>) weather station,
located near the park’s fire cache, registered 15.73 inches of rain between
September 9 and 14, including 13.50 inches during a 24 hour period on
September 12-13.
Park information, including park conditions, closures or restrictions, weather
and program information, may be found on the park’s website at
www.nps.gov/GUMO/<http://www.nps.gov/GUMO/>, on the park’s Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/Guadalupe.Mountains/<http://www.facebook.com/Guadalupe.Mountains/>,
or by contacting the Pine Springs Visitor Center at (915) 828- 3251 x2124. The
Pine Springs Visitor Center is open daily (except for Christmas) from 8:00 AM
until 4:30 PM. The McKittrick Canyon, Frijole Ranch House, Dog Canyon and Salt
Basin Dunes (Dell City, TX) Visitor Contact Stations are open intermittently.
Please call the Pine Springs Visitor Center at (915) 828-3251 x2124 to find out
whether they are open. For Dog Canyon, call the Dog Canyon Visitor Contact
Station/Ranger Station at (575) 981-2418.
For the latest weather information for Guadalupe Mountains National Park, see
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TXZ258 or
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TXZ421. For the latest road
information, call 511, or visit www.drivetexas.org/<http://www.drivetexas.org/>
for Texas or http://nmroads.com/ for New Mexico.
-NPS-
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people
so that all may experience our heritage.
________________________________
UT Southwestern Medical Center
The future of medicine, today.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park News Release - Park Storm Closure Update 07-13-2013.pdf
Description: Guadalupe Mountains National Park News Release - Park Storm Closure Update 07-13-2013.pdf
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
