SFNF Issues Closure Order for Spence Hot Springs Trail

By SFNF

The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) today issued a closure order for the Spence Hot Springs Trail #130 on the Jemez Ranger District to protect public health and safety while a crew works on significant trail improvements.

The closure order will be in effect from 6 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, until noon Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, unless it is rescinded earlier.

The restricted area includes the Spence Hot Springs Trailhead parking area and a 300-foot buffer on both sides of the half-mile section of the trail from the trailhead to Spence Hot Springs.

The crew will be rebuilding existing rock walls, repairing fencing, doing treadwork and making minor bridge repairs. In addition to improving hikers’ experience on the trail, the work will also reduce erosion and sediment loading in the East Fork of the Jemez River.

Federal, state and local officers, members of an organized rescue team or firefighting force, and any others authorized by Forest Service permit are exempt from the closure order.

Signs will be posted to notify the public that the Spence Hot Springs Trail is closed to public entry. Violation of the closure order is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

The closure order and map are available at SFNF headquarters, the Jemez Ranger District Office and on the SFNF website. All current closure orders are posted on theAlerts and Notices page of the website.