The timber harvest in the northern section of Stonehouse Forest is now complete! With minimal snow and periods of frozen ground, it was a challenging winter for logging. Given the conditions, we are happy to have been able to conduct the entire harvest in a compressed timeframe and look forward to seeing how the forest responds over the coming years.
While the harvest is over, some trails remain closed. Due to the varied and often unseasonable weather we’ve had this winter, the Marison Trail from the trailhead to the landing at the upper junction with the Bog Trail remains wet and soft. At this time, traveling on the surface of the trail is very unpleasant and would be very damaging to the treadway. Remediation work for the woods road will occur mud season has ended, and the soil is firmer.
To minimize additional impacts to the road, the Marison Trailhead, upper Marison Trail, and the Bog Trail will remain closed until the work can be completed. They will reopen after mud season, once the ground has firmed up and remediation work is finished. Note: the Marison West Trail to the lower Marison Trail (the loop off Marsh Road) has been reopened and “Trail Closed” signs have been relocated.
As soon as the Marison Trail is in better condition, we will reopen the trails and parking area for folks to enjoy this area again, which will be towards the middle or end of May. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we do what is best for the land!
