Pine Canyon Restoration Project Area & Trails Temporary Closure Order

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Payson Ranger District, Tonto National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area and Trails”):

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e)
2. Being on the Described Trails. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a)

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit, form FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
3. Forest Service volunteers and partners operating under a signed volunteer agreement or partnership performing official project work (i.e. sign installation, trash pickup) in the Described Area and Trails.

DESCRIBED AREA and TRAILS

The Described Area is within Township 12 North Range 8 East Sections 12, PB40, and PB47, Township 12 North Range 9 East Sections 7, 8, 19, PB41 and, PB45-PB47. It consists of all National Forest System lands and trails within the boundary starting at the Reference Point 34° 24.911' N x -111° 27.096' W along Trail #13 Bearfoot, then following directly north approximately 1 mile to the Reference Point 34° 25.838' N x -111° 27.101' W, on the National Forest boundary, then following generally northeast along the National Forest boundary approximately 3.35 miles to the Reference Point 34° 26.768' N x -111° 25.415' W, then following directly south approximately 0.3 miles to the Reference Point 34° 26.490' N x -111° 25.414’, located on the Pine Canyon Trail, then following directly south approximately 0.4 miles to the Reference Point 34° 26.168' N x -111 ° 25.412' W, on the National Forest boundary, then following generally south along the National Forest boundary approximately 2 miles to the Reference Point 34° 24.917' N x -111° 25.472' W, then following directly west approximately 0.6 miles to the Reference Point 34° 24.915' N x -111° 26.059' W, on Trail #26, Pine Canyon, then following directly west approximately 0.4 miles to the Reference Point 34° 24.913' N x - 111° 26.454' W, on the Non-Forest Service Ownership boundary, then following north, west, south, and west along the Non-Forest Service Ownership boundary approximately 1 mile to the Reference Point 34° 24.912' N x -111° 26.977' W, then following directly west approximately 0.1 miles back to the point of beginning at Reference Point 34° 24.911' N x -111° 27.096' W, located on Trail #13 Bearfoot.

Described Trail sections that are closed include:

Trail #13 Bearfoot - Beginning at Reference Point 34° 24.911' N x -111° 27.096' W heading generally northeast approximately 1.65 miles to the intersection with Trail #26 Pine Canyon. Trail #26 Pine Canyon - Beginning at Reference Point 34° 24.915' N x -111° 26.059' W heading generally north approximately 3.35 miles to Reference Point 34° 26.490' N x -111° 25.414' W.

PURPOSE

To protect National Forest System resources and for public health and safety of volunteer participants and Forest Service partners during a large-scale clean-up and restoration project within the Described Area. 

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from October 1, 2025, at 5 a.m. through April 30, 2026, at 5 p.m., unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area and Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/tonto/alerts.
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Payson Ranger District in Payson, AZ, (928) 474-7900 for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in or on the same Described Area and Trails.