SFNF Revises Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Closure Order
SFNF Revises Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Closure Order to Open
Pecos Canyon Corridor, More of Pecos Wilderness
SANTA FE, NM – Sept. 2, 2022 – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) today reduced the size of the temporary area and road closure for the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire, reopening an additional 214,000 acres that were closed to public access under the previous closure order. The reopened areas include the Pecos Canyon corridor and the Pecos Wilderness west of Skyline Trail 251.
Most of the popular campgrounds, dispersed camping sites and trails along the Pecos River corridor are reopening in time for the Labor Day holiday weekend. Hunters will also have access to a significant portion of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish game management unit 45 and 49 in time for the beginning of bow season.
The Field Tract Campground remains closed for maintenance. The area around the Barillas Lookout, all of Gallinas Canyon and a portion of the Pecos Wilderness east of Skyline Trail 251 remain closed to protect public health and safety.
The revised closure order prohibits members of the public from entering Forest Service lands and roads within two areas:
- The Capulin area, an isolated part of the forest roughly situated between Morphy Lake on the north and Rociada on the south. The Capulin area, which includes Forest Road (FR) 632, is surrounded by private property.
- All Forest Service lands in the Gallinas/Tecolote/Barillas areas, including the southeastern portion of the Pecos Wilderness and a portion of the forest between the Skyline Trail 251 and the easternmost forest boundary south to Dead Horse Canyon. FR 261, 203 and 203A remain closed to traffic. See the map for additional detail.
The SFNF will continue to monitor the closure area and reopen areas to public access when it is safe to do so.
Federal, state and local officers, members of an organized rescue team or firefighting force and any others authorized by permit are exempt from the closure order. Violation of the closure order is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.
The revised closure order and map are posted on the SFNF website, and copies are available at SFNF headquarters and the Pecos and Las Vegas Ranger Stations. For additional information, please contact the Pecos office at 505-757-6121 or the Las Vegas office at 505-425-3534. All current closure orders are posted on the Alerts and Notices page of the website.