Sulphur Canyon, Cienega Canyon, and Doc Long Picnic Grounds have been officially closed due to increased bear activity

Release Date: Aug 12, 2017

Albuquerque, NM, August 12, 2017 - Three picnic sites and several trails have been closed to protect public health and safety on the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands.  Bear activity has increased in these areas and there have been several confirmed interactions involving both bears and humans.

Bear activity has increased in areas where there is an abundance of water and food, likely because sustenance is scarce elsewhere.  In particular, bear activity has increased in the Sulphur Canyon, Cienega Canyon, and Doc Long picnic grounds.  Historically, these areas have provided acorns, choke cherries, and bear corn, making closures necessary at this time of the year. 

The following trails are also closed since they provide access or are in close proximity to the picnic grounds: Trail # 148-Cienega Spring, Trail # 196-Bill Spring, Trail #281-Sulphur Canyon, and Trail #266- Horse By-pass from parking lot west to Faulty Trail.

“I recognize that these closures impact the public but it is imperative that we take action to minimize the potential for negative human/bear interactions.  Public safety is a much higher responsibility,” said Sandia District Ranger, Crystal Powell.

The NM Game & Fish Department offers the following suggestions for bear country:

• Never leave fruit from trees or bushes to rot on the ground since these will attract bears.
• Remove bird feeders since bears see them as treats.
• Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps such as melon in your compost pile.
• Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outside at night.
• Clean and store outdoor grills after use since bears can smell grease for miles.
• Keep your campsite clean and store food and garbage properly.
• Use bear-proof containers when they are available; if they are not available, hang your food, toiletries, and garbage from a tree limb that is 10 feet off the ground and 6 feet out from the tree trunk.
• Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of food smells; remove the clothes that you cooked in and store them with your food.
• Sleep a distance from your cooking area or food storage site; 100 yards is recommended.
• Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing.

If you see a bear:

• Make yourself appear large by holding out your jacket. If you have small children, pick them up so they don’t run.
• Give the bear room to escape so it doesn’t feel threatened or trapped.
• If a bear attacks you, fight back using anything at your disposal such as rocks, sticks, binoculars or even your bare hands. Aim for the bear’s nose and eyes.
• If the bear has not seen you, stay calm and slowly move away, making noise so the bear knows you are there.
• Never get between a mother bear and her cubs.

For more information about living with bears in New Mexico visit www.wildlife.state.nm.us and consult the publication “Living with Large Predators.”  For information on alternate recreation opportunities, visit recreation.gov or https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/cibola/recreation.  Remember that hunting is never allowed in or within 150 yards of any developed recreation site.  Since these sites may be closed until October 31, 2017, here are some suggested alternatives:

North of I-40

• Canyon Estates- Access to Faulty Trail 195, Upper Faulty Trail 195A-which connects to South Crest Trail 130S
• Tree Spring Trail #147-which can connect to 10K Trail #200, Tecolote Trail # 264
• Capulin, Balsam Glade, Nine Mile
• 10K Trail, Ellis Trail #202
• Crest Spur #84, North Crest Trail # 130N- connects to Osha Spring Trail #247 and Osha Loop Trail # 201, Crest Nature Trail

South of I-40

• Oak Flat #637
• Pine Flat #635
• Otero Canyon #236
• Coyote Trail #462
• Cedro #542

The order will remain in effect until October 31, 2017 or until rescinded, whichever comes first. Violations of this order are punishable by a fine of $5,000 for individuals or $10,000 for organizations, or by 6 months of imprisonment, or both. (36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b)).

For more information about this closure, please contact the Sandia Ranger District at 505-281-3304.