Forest recreation areas, Spearhead Trails closed

The Clinch Ranger District announced Friday morning that to protect public health and safety and follow federal and state health guidelines, the following facilities will be temporarily shut down:

• Bark Camp, Cave Springs, Cane Patch, Phillips Creek, Hanging Rock, High Knob and Keokee Lake recreation areas.

• High Knob and Birch Knob observation towers.

All trails and trailhead parking areas remain open, although restrooms are closed.

“These recreation areas have the potential to draw large numbers of people into close proximity to each other”, said District Ranger Michelle Davalos. “I appreciate everyone’s patience and compliance with these temporary closures as we work together to protect the health and safety of our communities.”

For more information, contact the ranger district at 276/679-8370.

SPEARHEAD TRAILS

The regional all-purpose trails organization announced Thursday that all of its trails would close effective at the end of the day April 5.

The closure will be re-evaluated June 10.

“Understand that this closure is being done with the best interest and well-being of our riders, employees, retailers and communities at heart,” Spearhead Trails said in a press release. “We ask that you comply with our request in order to help lessen the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our region.

“This temporary closure is essential to help keep safeguard the health of our communities and promote the Governor's recommendation to limit non-essential travel within our area,” the release continued. “During this time, our trails will be patrolled by our employees. We are going to make the most of this time by maintaining and expanding our trail systems to make them bigger and better for our riders once they are re-opened.”