Forest Service (FS) personnel placed gates and signs on FS Road 20N35, known locally as the Scales Road, to alert motorists about a closure, however, they have been illegally removed.  Travel on the road is not allowed due to a hazardous landslide.  The road closure is located about 1.5 miles southeast of the Strawberry Guard Station, in legal location T20N, R8E, Section 22 (northeast corner). 

The large slump and crack in the road bed are affected by winter moisture and may slide at any time.    Closure signs will be replaced, but motorists that choose to ignore the road closure and continue traveling on the Scales Road will be doing so at their own risk.

The alternate route for access is through the LaPorte area.  Passenger vehicles may access the Scales area via Plumas County Road 513 (21N28) from the town of LaPorte across the steel bridge, then across Slate Creek to Sierra County Road 791 to Queen City.  Turn right on Sierra Co. Road 690 (21N17) to Sierra Co. Road 691.  Continue on 691 to the town site of Scales.

The area has been greatly impacted by natural geologic processes along with groundwater saturation of the original fill, thus creating the potential for landslide.  An expensive and complex fix was completed in 2007, however, a large crack is forming again making the area unsafe for travel.

For more information, contact Herman Wendell at the Feather River Ranger District, (530) 532-7466.