Access to the Middle Fork Feather Restored!

Milsap Bar Road was closed on April 7th due to storm damage, and Plumas National Forest projected that the road would remain closed until mid summer. Milsap Bar is the only access road to the famed Devils Canyon and Bald Rock Canyon runs on the Middle Fork Feather, which are considered classics in California and around the world. The river is also one of the original eight Wild and Scenic Rivers. After receiving news of the closure, AW California Stewardship Director Dave Steindorf put in a call to the Forest’s District Ranger, and worked to ensure that Forest Service staff understood that after four years of drought, having access to the Middle Feather was a very high priority. The Ranger explained the budget challenges that they face in maintaining a 4000-mile road system on the Plumas National Forest alone. He thought they might have some funds available, but they would not arrive until mid summer. He also recognized just how important the Middle Feather is for paddlers and other recreationists, and he agreed to see whether the road could be made passible from the south side of the river.   

Plumas National Forest notified us this week that they had made the road passible to high clearance vehicles. American Whitewater appreciates that Forest Service staff went the extra mile to get Milsap Bar Road open for the boating season. We recognize that the issues of shrinking budgets are very real. With fire fighting efforts consuming 60% of the USFS budget, and Congress not allocating any additional funds to make up the budget shortfall in other areas, recreation is often the first thing to get cut. Many thanks to the Plumas National Forest for their efforts to make it a priority to provide access to this crown jewel of the Wild and Scenic River System!

Here’s the announcement from the Forest Service:

Milsap Bar road temporary closure/alternate access

Quincy, Calif – April 20, 2016 – Alternate access for high clearance vehicles is now available to the Milsap Bar (Middle Fork Feather River) area in northern Butte County. The Milsap Bar road (Forest Service road #22N62), is temporarily closed because of storm damage.

The road is closed from milepost 3.7 (T 21N, R 6E, Sec. 2), continuing northeast to the west side of Milsap Bridge.

Alternate access for high clearance vehicles only is available by traveling from Lake Oroville on Butte Co. Road #27672/ Forest Highway #173 to the town of Feather Falls.  Continue on Lumpkin Ridge Road (#22N27) northeast 6.7 miles to the Hartman Bar Road (#22N94). Continue on #22N94 north 11.2 miles to the Milsap Bar road (#22N62). Travel (high clearance vehicle travel will be slow) southwest 7 miles on #22N62 to Milsap Bar Bridge.

Barring further unexpected impacts, the Milsap Bar road (# 22N62) is estimated to be reopened in mid-summer, 2016.

Contact the Feather River Ranger District at (530) 534-6500 for current information about access.