[pct-l] Forest To Be Closed To Protect Endangered Frog

[matt at mattmaxon.com (Matt Maxon)]

Forest To Be Closed To Protect Endangered Frog
(CBS) ARCADIA, Calif. Access to area north of the Angeles Crest Highway will be limited to the public, starting Tuesday, to protect the endangered mountain yellow-legged frog.

Caltrans will lock the gate at Cedar Springs on Angeles Crest Highway near mile marker 62, east of the turnoff to Buckhorn Campground and west of the tunnels, an area that includes about 1,000 acres in the vicinity of Cooper Canyon, according to the Angeles National Forest.

Access to Eagles Roost Picnic Area will be only by walking and a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail lies within the impacted area. Hikers can detour by departing the northbound trail at Eagles Roost and taking the highway to Cloudburst Summit, a distance of 4.5 miles.

The affected area also includes Williamson Rock, an area frequented by rock climbers, and the U.S. Forest Service has been meeting with rock climbing groups to work out a proposal that will allow climbing to continue at Williamson Rock.

A biological assessment will be undertaken to analyze the effects of human activities, including recreation.