LEAVENWORTH — The U.S. Forest Service today shut down public access to Upper Icicle Creek and the gateway to the Enchantment Lakes due to the manhunt for Travis Decker.
The closure order forbids the public from entering or using 17 trail systems, 21 Forest Service roads and eight campgrounds in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, including the routes to the Enchantment Lakes.
The restricted area is more than 220 square miles, and intruding on the land would amount to a federal crime punishable by up to $5,000 in fines and six months in jail.
“Authorities are searching for a suspect, and we encourage visitors to the forest to remain alert,” the agency said in an online notice of the shutdown. The restriction on public access could last as long as two weeks, the notice warns.
The closure starts at roughly the Snow Lakes Trailhead, about five miles up Icicle Road outside Leavenworth. Forbidden trails include routes to Snow Lakes, Eightmile Lake, Colchuck Lake, Stuart Lake, Fourth of July Creek and the Icicle Gorge.
Campgrounds put off-limits include Eightmile, Bridge Creek, Chatter Creek and Rock Island — the developed campground closest to where the bodies of Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia Decker were found three days ago.
A complete list follows:
Developed Campgrounds Closed
Eightmile CampgroundBridge Creek CampgroundIcicle Group CampgroundJohnny Creek CampgroundIda Creek CampgroundChatter Creek CampgroundRock Island CampgroundBlackpine Horse Camp
Roads Closed
FSR 7600000 from the junction with FSR Trail head Snow Lakes toFSR 7600100 from the junction with FSR 7600000FSR 7600800 from the intersection with FSR 7600000 and 7609000FSR 7600900 from the intersection with FSR 7600000 and 7608000FSR 7600020 from the junction with FSR 7600000FSR 7601112 from the junction with FSR 7600000FSR 7601112-A from the junction with FSR 7600000FSR 7601112-B from the junction with FSR 7600000FSR 7601111 from the junction with FSR 7600000FSR 7601113 from the junction with FSR 7600000FSR 7603000 from the junction with FSR 7600000FSR 7603175 from the junciton with FSR 7603000FSR 7605000 from the junction with FSR 7603000FSR 7605113 from the junction with FSR 7605000FSR 7600315 from the junction with FSR 7600000FSR 7600415 from the junction with FSR 7600000FSR 7600415-A from the junciton with FSR 7600415FSR 7600615 from the junction with FSR 7600000FSR 7600616 from the junciton with FSR 7600615FSR 7600800 from the junction with FSR 7600000FSR 7600810 from the junction with FSR 7600000
Trails Closed
Trail No. 1553 Snow LakesTrail No. 6723 Bruces BoulderTrail No. 1552 Eightmile lakeTrail No. 1570 Icicle Ridge (upper portions, See map)Trail No. 1599 Stuart LakeTrail No. 1599.1 Colchuck LakeTrail No. 1554 Eightmile Trout CreekTrail No. 1579 Forth Of JulyTrail No. 1580 Chatter CreekTrail No. 1596.1 Icicle Gorge uppper loopTrail No. 1596.2 Icicle Gorge upper loop tieTrail No. 1596 Icicle GorgeTrail No. 1558 Jack CreekTrail No. 1555 Trout CreekTrail No. 1597 Jack PineTrail No. 1565 BlackpineTrail No. 1551 Icicle Creek
