Three Creek Lake sits at the base of Tam McArthur Rim. Forest Road 16 is slated to close for five weeks starting this spring.

A major access to popular trails and recreation areas in the Sisters Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest will be closed for five weeks as crews rebuild a portion of Forest Road 16 this spring and early summer.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the unpaved portion of Forest Road 16 “has degraded to a condition that is difficult for vehicles, in particular those towing trailers, to safely navigate.”

Road crews plan to begin reconstruction as soon as the snow melts, which could be as early as late May. The work will take five weeks to complete.

During the reconstruction, Forest Road 16 will be closed to all access — including vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles and horses — between Upper Three Creek Sno-park south to Three Creek Lake to provide for public and operator safety due to heavy equipment and large truck traffic in the area.

Due to the closure, campgrounds at Driftwood, Three Creek Lake, Three Creek Meadow and Horse Camp will delay their openings to July 21. Permits for Park Meadow and Tam McArthur Rim trailheads will also be delayed until July 21.

Campgrounds and wilderness permits may be available earlier, if road work is completed ahead of schedule.

The reconstruction work will include restoring a crown in the road surface, which will allow rain to properly drain off the road and prevent erosion. Heavy equipment will then be used to haul in materials and resurface the road.

For more information, contact the Sisters Ranger District at 541-549-7700.