Weeks after the passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto, the United States Forest Service announced that, starting this Sunday, the public will be able to visit some areas of El Yunque National Forest in Río Grande, which had been closed due to the cyclone’s damage.
“To our returning visitors, please be cautious and considerate of others as you return to your favorite national forest. Safety from a physical, social, and psychological perspective is always our number one priority,” expressed Deputy Forest Supervisor Mathias Wallace.
Visitors will be able to enjoy the Angelito Trail and the Puente Roto recreational area in Luquillo; the El Portal de El Yunque visitor center; and the PR-191 North recreational corridor in Río Grande, up to the Yokahú Tower, where a traffic checkpoint with a safe turnaround area will be set up.
Additionally, people can admire La Coca waterfall, though the trail of the same name will remain closed until it is cleared of vegetative material or aerial elements that pose a danger, the federal agency indicated in a press release.
Furthermore, those who wish to experience walking inside a tropical forest will have the following options available: the Explore and Discover trails, and the Science and Research trail, located in El Portal de El Yunque, as well as the Angelito trail.
The federal agency clarified that, on the other hand, those looking for an area to cool off and take a dip could do so in the Puente Roto recreational area. Additionally, those who wish to appreciate the stunning views of the rainforest from above will have the Yokahú Tower as an alternative.
The Forest Service reminded the public that the main access to the Angelito Trail and the Puente Roto area via PR-988 remains partially closed due to construction work.
“Visitors would need to take the alternate route from PR-3, heading East, take the ramp at kilometer 37.8 towards PR-922. Continue on PR-922 to PR-983, and then, connect at the intersection with PR-988 KM 6.6,” clarified the agency.
Response efforts in El Yunque began on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 14, when the rains associated with Tropical Storm Ernesto started to subside.
The agency said that since then, the El Yunque team has worked tirelessly to reopen the forest and ensure a safe visiting experience.
“Passionate, hardworking, empathetic, and united—there are no better words to describe the men and women who answered the call of duty to help El Yunque National Forest, our home, when we needed them. I sincerely thank each one of them for making the sacrifice to help assess the damage, eliminate hazards, and restore access to our crown jewel in Puerto Rico. Your efforts and love for El Yunque National Forest do not go unnoticed, and we couldn’t have done it without you,” expressed Wallace, in recognition of the response team’s work.
