In an ongoing effort to protect habitat of an endangered frog species, Angeles National Forest officials have continued the closure of the Williamson Rock area until Dec. 31, 2013.

This is an ongoing closure that limits access to about 1,000 acres north of Angeles Crest Highway near Eagles Roost, and has been in place since December 2005. The new Forest Service order for another year was effective Tuesday (Jan. 1).

This effort allows the Forest Service to protect the mountain yellow-legged frog, an endangered species. The closure was first announced after officials determined the area was critical habitat for the frog. And in June 2011, a U.S. district judge ordered the Angeles to close access to the Williamson Rock area as part of a larger lawsuit. Forest officials are preparing an environmental assessment to determine the best management strategy to stabilize the frog population.

The forest offers a hiking detour around the affected area. See the following Pacific Crest Trail Association link for more info:http://www.pcta.org/pdf/endagered_species_detour.pdf

Visitors should “Know before you go” about local conditions before traveling to any area of the Angeles National Forest. For more information, access our website at www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles or contact one of our offices:

Forest Supervisor’s Office – Arcadia, (Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) 626-574-5208

Los Angeles River Ranger District (Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) 818-899-1900

San Gabriel River Ranger District (Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) 626-335-1251

Santa Clara-Mojave Rivers Ranger District (Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) 661-269-2808

San Gabriel Canyon Gateway Center (Fri: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sat-Sun: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) 626-969-1012

Mount Baldy Visitor Center (Mon& Fri: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Sat-Sun: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) 909-982-2829

Grassy Hollow Visitor Center (Sat-Sun, Holidays:10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) 626-821-6737