From November 20, 2023 through March 1, 2024, work crews will employ heavy machinery within the river floodplain and the El Rio Research Trail Area at Estrella Mountain Regional Park. They will work to remove tamarisk trees and shrubs, a task that will be executed using a bobcat and a masticator. The masticator will be utilized to effectively grind and transform the vegetation into wood chips, which will then be left on-site.
Parking and Research Area closures
For safety reasons, please be aware that the El Rio parking lot will be inaccessible during this operation. The area will remain closed and recreationists may not enter the area while this work is in progress.
Trail closures and alternatives near El-Rio
The Gila River Trail which traverses the work area’s closed section will be affected by the mandate and remain closed until March 2, 2024, unless updated leading up to that date.
Many other trails in Estrella Mountain Regional Park are slated to remain open. Some other short trails rated as easy near El Rio are:
- Baseline Trail (Northeast Trailhead), a 2.3-mile loop.
- Horseshoe Trail, a 2.1-mile loop.
- Gila Trail, a half-mile loop.
Contact for more information
For more information, contact the Natural Resource Specialist at (602) 506-9519 or (602) 506-2930.
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