Bessey Re-Opens Trails To Public - Local News

Bessey Re-Opens Trails To Public

By AJ Williams.

After two and a half weeks, the trails at the Nebraska National Forest of Halsey are re-opened.

District Rangers worked overtime to make them passable for the public. Williams reports.

Heavy rains in the month of July have closed the trails at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey not once but twice.

Having to keep up with Mother Nature this year, was something that newly appointed District Ranger, Terry Baker , the disrtict ranger, wasn't expecting.

“We've just had the issues of rain and flooding out and washing out the trails, and we've done a lot of work, both here on the district and on the supervisor's office, and regional office to try and get the trails in better shape for riders to access them,” said Baker.

All of the roads in some form or fashion were damaged.

Baker says, “We had several places like that through the forest, some large chunks of roads that were washed out, so it was some significant damage that was barely passable even for us to get equipment in and safely work on.”

Now, the roads are bladed down as much as possible in order for ATV's and other recreational vehicles to pass through.

It's a process that forest officials performed once already.

Baker says, “It was just very time consuming, a little disheartening when we did it once and it got washed out and having to do it again, but everyone's kept their spirits up, and worked very hard and been very safe about the work that they've done.”

With a couple of months left for summer, Baker is unsure whether or not they will have to re-close the trails do to the weather.

“I would prefer not to have any other closures but that is completely up to Mother Nature at this point,” said Baker, “She showed us earlier this summer when I opened the first time that we can get 4 inches of rain and be back in a similar situation. So, right now, I honestly don't know.”

The public has been very cooperative throughout the process.

Baker says, “If anyone sees anything or any concerns about the trails or the roads, or the forest in general, please stop by the office & let us know if they see an employee out on the weekend, inform them of any concerns you might have, as far as safety issues.”

Attached Files: Trails Reopen.jpg

The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.