Date: June 8, 2005

CONTACT: Jamie Thompson, Public Affairs Officer, (775) 623-1500

BLUE LAKES, ONION VALLEY & KNOTT CREEK RESERVOIRS ACCESS LIMITED:
OTHER BLM WINNEMUCCA ROADS USABLE WITH CAUTION

Three popular Humboldt County fisheries open to angling on Saturday, June 11th, but the lingering effects of a very wet spring in the area have left roads into the Pine Forest Complex difficult to traverse. Onion Valley and Knott Creek Reservoirs and Blue Lakes are traditional hot spots when they open to angling each spring, but wet weather is making travel into the area difficult.

Only one route entering the Pine Forest Mountains is currently open to vehicle traffic. This is using the Knott Creek Road, Humboldt County 203, on the west side of the mountain range, then turning east-southeast on BLM Road 2083 (the turn-off is marked) to the Onion and Little Onion Reservoirs and Blue Lakes. Only four-wheel drive vehicles and no trailers are advised on 2083.

Travelers into the area are advised not to deviate from this route and are also warned that any further rain showers in the Pine Forest Mountains can quickly make roads treacherous and difficult to navigate. All other routes to the Pine Forest Range are closed and will remain closed until at least mid-summer to repair washouts or until the snow has melted.

DIRECTIONS FROM WINNEMUCCA TO KNOTT CREEK ROAD:
Hwy US-95 north to State Hwy 140. Follow Hwy 140 past Denio Jct. (no services) approximately 11 miles to the Knott Creek Road. About 10 miles south of Hwy 140 turn left on Sand Basin Road, BLM Road 2083, and then follow the road signs into the Pine Forest mountain range where the three popular fisheries are located.

OTHER WINNEMUCCA BLM FIELD OFFICE ROAD CONDITIONS:
Water Canyon Road, immediately south of Winnemucca, is open to all vehicles all the way to the locked gate at the upper end of the canyon.
Jungo Road or the “High Road”, connecting Winnemucca with Gerlach, is open but travelers are advised to slow down and use caution due to frequent stretches of “washboard” and some unexpected dips.

Sulphur-Jackson Road, BLM Road 2049 between Jungo Road and State Hwy 140 has some rough areas requiring high-clearance in the first 25 miles north of the Jungo Road and is all right north of that point. BLM is currently conducting road maintenance work along the rough stretch.
Humboldt County Road 202 that connects Knott Creek Road through the Summit Lake Paiute Indian Reservation and Soldier Meadows with Gerlach is passable but very muddy near Summit Lake. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended.

UPDATES ON ROAD CONDITIONS:
Recent reports on road conditions in the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area as reported by travelers including BLM staff is available on-line at http://www.blackrockhighrockinfo.net/conditions.asp.
Conditions for BLM roads throughout the Winnemucca BLM District are available by calling the Bureau of Land Management at (775) 623-1500.

NOTE: Map of Pine Forest Range open roads