JACKSON - Off-road vehicles riders will have one fewer trail to use off the Greys River Road, as forest officials closed the Spring Creek Trail Monday because of extensive damage.

Riders will be able to access the drainage - south of the Corral Creek Guard Station southeast of Afton - by using the adjacent Spring Creek Road.

Sid Smith, recreation planner for the Greys River District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, said the closure is due to extensive damage to the trail, often caused from riding the trail when it is wet. The extensive ruts made the trail difficult to ride, she said.

The closure is temporary.

Troy Johnson, owner of TJ Sports in Alpine, said he hadn't heard of the closure Monday, but "to me it's a big deal if they close any trail."

"Every off-road vehicle has to buy a permit," he said. "Isn't that money to maintain and make new trails, not to close trails?"

Johnson said if the trail has damage, trail managers should perform maintenance.

Smith said the Forest Service intends to rehabilitate the trail, which has a number of springs along it causing wet conditions. She said the Bridger-Teton is undergoing a travel plan revision for forest trails, and the trail will be reviewed for use then. That revision is ongoing, and the southern portion of the Bridger-Teton should see travel plan revisions next year.

Smith said the trail is popular during hunting season, and hunters will be able to access the terrain through the Spring Creek Road.

Environmental reporter Whitney Royster can be reached at (307) 734-0260 or at royster@tribcsp.com.