Big Piney campgrounds temporarily closed
Road washout closes access to Sacajawea and Middle Piney Lake campgrounds
by Bridger-Teton National Forest
July 23, 2008
(Big Piney) – Big Piney District Ranger Greg Clark of the Bridger-Teton National Forest has temporarily closed the Sacajawea and Middle Piney Lake Campgrounds due to the access road being completely washed out. The road flooded approximately 300-feet below the Middle Piney dam, preventing vehicles from making it to the Middle Piney Lake.
"We have closed the road at the second bridge," stated Clark. "Adequate parking at the second bridge is available and right now foot traffic is allowed to the lake from the parking area," he said. The area is accessible by foot for day use recreation. The hike from the parking area at the bridge to the lake is approximately one and a half miles. All visitors have left the Middle Piney campground and overnight camping is not allowed.
Presently, the Sacajawea Campground is also closed due to the fact that the culvert just before the entrance to that campground is plugged as a result of the high water volume and debris. "That road also has the potential to wash out," commented Clark. "I have ordered a back hoe crew to work on the area and to attempt to unblock the culvert and clean out the logs that are building up behind the first bridge going up to the lake," said Clark. "If we can get the culvert cleaned out and reduce the potential for wash out, I will reopen the Sacajawea Campground," he said. There are no campers remaining at the Sacajawea Campground as of today (Wednesday, June 23).
There is no estimate as to when the Sacajawea or Middle Piney campground will be reopened. Forest officials will be evaluating the extent of the damage and looking at what the time, cost and labor needs will be to repair the roads so that they are suitable for access. For information on the current condition of the road, contact the Big Piney Ranger District at 307-267-3375.
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