E. Side Reservoir road closed during the week; open weekends to snowmobiles

A timber sale on the east side of the Hungry Horse Reservoir means the East Side Reservoir and Emery Creek Roads will be closed through the spring to snowmobiles during the week, but they will be open on weekends.

The Flathead National Forest is conducting work on the Royal Tiger timber sale near the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

The Forest anticipates that the roads will be closed to vehicle traffic through early spring to protect public and crew safety during cutting and hauling operations on and near the plowed roads. The Forest asks the public to avoid parking in front of closed gates.

Over snow vehicles will be able to use the East Side Reservoir Road to milepost 37.5 and Emery Creek Road on Saturdays and Sundays while the closure is in effect. The East Side Reservoir Road is closed beyond milepost 37.5 to all motorized use annually from Dec. 1 to May 14 to protect winter wildlife habitat.

Winter recreation parking on Road No. 38 (East Side Reservoir) will be available at the Desert Mountain parking area just outside Martin City or at the junction with Abbot Bay Road, Forest Road #5301, approximately five miles south of Martin City.

Snowmobilers who plan on using East Side Reservoir Road on the weekends should use caution on the plowed road by staying to the right side and riding single file at a moderate speed. Timber sale operators will not haul on weekends but may be plowing or conducting other work. The road will be open to snowmobilers each weekend from 5 p.m. on Friday to 12:01 a.m. Monday.

People who choose to use Desert Mountain trails as an alternate route should be aware that hauling will also occur on that road as well, and the Flathead Snowmobile Association will be grooming a route adjacent to the roadway for snowmobile use.

Snowmobile access information maps and groomed trail maps are available at on the Forest’s website.