Chiricahua Mountains - Rustler Park Trailhead Fee Area

[jonathanpatt]

As of April 12, there is a $5 trailhead fee notice in place at the Crest Trail parking area outside of the Rustler Park campground gate.

[joebartels]

@jonathanpatt
remotely legal or a campground host playing taxman?

[SkyIslandHiker]

Speaking of Rustler Park:

Rustler Park Campground seasonal opening delayed

Tucson, AZ, April 11, 2017- For Immediate Release. The reopening of Rustler Park Campground, on the Douglas Ranger District, Coronado National Forest, for the summer recreation season will be delayed due to forest health issues.

The campground, high in the Chiricahua Mountains, typically reopens on or near April 1 following a seasonal winter closure. As recreation crews were readying the area for the scheduled opening date, personnel noticed a large number of trees in and around the campground that had been topped during recent wind storms as well as several trees that had been completely uprooted.

To determine the cause(s) of the damage, the Forest Service will conduct a more extensive assessment of the trees in the vicinity of the campground before opening it to public use. On April 18, silviculturalists from the Coronado and Coconino national forests will conduct a stand assessment in the area. They will inspect fallen trees, as well as trees that appear to be weakened by wind, insect infestations, disease or fire, to determine the extent of the problem. After the assessment is complete, and hazard trees which could fall and cause injury in and around campsites have been removed, the popular campground will be reopened. The date will be announced through a press release.

For further information, please contact the Douglas Ranger District office at (520) 364-3468 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays. The office is closed on weekends and federal holidays.

[jonathanpatt]

@jonathanpatt
remotely legal or a campground host playing taxman?

Presumably legal, the fee area there existed before the Horseshoe II fire, and makes sense that it would be restored again.