Mariana Dale/KJZZ

Flagstaff, Arizona.

The Coconino Forest Service closed access to Dry Lake Hills and Mount Elden area in northern Arizona in February. Popular hiking trails in northern Arizona will remain closed this summer as part of the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project.

George Jozens with the Coconino National Forest said everything from Schultz Pass south to the northern side of Flagstaff will be closed.

“Because it's a highly populated or highly recreated area, we want to keep people safe. Helicopters flying over that area with trees attached to it on a cable, we want to make sure that nobody is endangered by that," Jozens said. "And so that's why the closure’s in effect.” 

Jozens said the closure order is in effect until December 2020, but the contractor would like to finish ahead of schedule.