Here is the Trail update as of 12/16/09 from the desk of Chris Sabo...
DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST
2009/10 WINTER TRAIL CONDITIONS
Updated December 16, 2009
For additional valuable winter recreation information and maps see the Deschutes National Forest Website at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/Plan for Holiday Season Crowds at Deschutes National Forest Sno-Parks!
Fair to good snow conditions are expected at various Deschutes National Forest Sno-Parks over the holiday season with the lower sno-parks yet in need of more snow. A few reminders for weekends/holidays:
• Plan for overflow parking at sno-parks that have adequate snow; have a second, maybe third sno-park choice in mind for the coming weekends. Area favorites like Dutchman, Wanoga, Ten Mile, and Upper Three Creek Sno-Parks are likely to fill early.
• An increasingly favorite sno-park is the new Wanoga Snow Play facility; that's for sledding and tubing. This park lot is designed for diagonal parking in 4 rows (2 rows each lobe of the lot) with a center travel lane that is one way. Please park accordingly and be sure to follow the sledding safety rules posted on the information board. Enjoy the new warming shelter too!
• With recent snowfall, trail grooming has commenced and will continue with adequate snow conditions and volunteer availability. At peak grooming operations, Central Oregon Snow Busters, Sisters Sno-Go-Fers, La Pine Lodgepole Dodgers, and Walker Rim Riders Snowmobile Club volunteers groom 400-500 miles of snowmobile trails on the Deschutes National Forest. Some trails require 4-5 ft. of snow cover to safely groom. Tumalo Langlauf Club grooms up to 38 kilometers of nordic ski trails out of Meissner and Swampy Sno-Parks. 2 miles of dog friendly trails are groomed once/week at the Wanoga Snow Play Sno-Park. All grooming programs are snow and volunteer dependent.
• Winter trail signing: Presently we have 95% of the removable winter signing in place in the Dutchman Flat, Tumalo Mt., Moon Mt. and Three Creek Lake areas. Installation of this winter only sign system is snow dependent and is scheduled to continue into next week. Stick to the well traveled/signed trails if you are unfamiliar with the area or travel under less than ideal conditions.
• “NO PARKING” zones are posted for safe traffic flow into and out of snow parks. Please try another sno-park if you find your first choice sno-park full.
• Motorized users please use caution with speed and remain in control at all times. Slow down for pedestrians and other snowmobilers, especially in congested areas. Recommended “slow” speed near pedestrians and congested areas is 5-20 mph.
• Nonmotorized users, please be courteous when encountering motorized users on snowmobile trails (orange diamonds) and stay to the right to allow snowmobiles to pass safely; or avoid the heavily used snowmobile trails and stick to the blue diamond ski and snowshoe trails.
• Respect winter area dog closures either by leaving your pet safe at home or going to a dog permitted area. Wanoga Snowmobile, Wanoga Sno-Play, Edison, Skyliner, Ten Mile, Six Mile, Crescent Junction and Upper Three Creek Sno-Parks are open to dogs. Practice Canine Courtesy by maintaining control of your dog with a leash or if required in harness; and remove dog waste from trail and snow park areas.
• Go prepared for weather conditions and unexpected emergencies!
SPECIAL WINTER ACTIVITIES:
Elk Lake Logging in progress – Hazard tree logging is in progress along the East Elk Lake Road. For logging access, plowing of one lane of the 4525 road (between Road 45 and Hwy 46) and one lane of Hwy 46 from Deschutes Bridge north to Elk Lake is occuring. Snowmobilers should be aware of this as they approach the area as plowing berms will create rough trail conditions. Plowing may continue thru the end of December. For Elk Lake Resort winter opening and hours see their website.
Winter logging operations have potential impacts to snowmobile trails on Crescent Ranger District. For further details, see the section on Crescent Ranger District conditions below.
GENERAL SNOW AND WINTER TRAIL CONDITIONS AS OF DECEMBER 16:
The past several days have been a combination of cloudy to clear weather with moderate to heavy snowfall from Monday night thru last night at mid to higher elevations. Rain to slushy snow fell in most locations below 4,800’. During that period above 5,000’ we received 6-22” of new snow. General snow depths range from 2-10” at 4,500’ and 40-56” at and above 6,000’, west of Hwy 97. About 50% of those depths will be found east of Hwy 97. The forecast into the the weekend indicates mild temperatures with a “wintery mix” of weather including snow and rain. For more specific snow and winter trail conditions at the Forest’s snow parks, see Sno-Park and Trails section below.
Present snow conditions for many areas above 5,000’ involve deep and heavy snow on trails and backcountry locations. During and shortly after periods of heavy snowfall expect travel on ungroomed or tracked trails to be very difficult. Skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers will find conditions challenging and taxing for people and equipment. We have received wet snow to rain in many locations below 5,000’ which has created snow conditions to the consistency of mashed potatoes and in some cases with the gravy. Use extra caution and constraint during this time.
Avalanche potential increases with rapid snowfall and changing temperatures, and the avalanche hazard can escalate in a short time. Backcountry users venturing into avalanche terrain should be knowledgeable in recognizing potential avalanche conditions and act accordingly. Backcountry travelers are strongly urged to perform snow pack assessment and stability tests and continue to make safe route selections.
Backcountry users, heads up! For the Mt. Hood area, an AVALANCHE WARNING with a rating of 4 (4,000-7,000’) has been placed in effect for Wednesday,
http://www.nwac.us/forecast/avalanche/c ... ale-legend. Though Central Oregon Cascade conditions may vary, recent heavy snowfall and observations in the field indicate local backcountry avalanche conditions have also increased for the immediate future.
Danger Scale Legend
5 = Extreme avalanche danger
4 = High avalanche danger
3 = Considerable avalanche danger
2 = Moderate avalanche danger
1 = Low avalanche danger
BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT SNO-PARK AND WINTER TRAIL CONDITIONS AS OF DECEMBER 16:
The following snow depths are approximations for the area around each snow park area. Actual depths may vary depending on recent weather conditions.
* Meissner Sno-Park (Hwy 46 - Milepost 14, elevation 5350') – 18-26” snow depth. Fair to good snow depth for skiing and snowshoeing. Roads in this area are closed to highway vehicles December 1-April 1.
Access to 28 miles of easy to more difficult ski trails, 4 warming shelters (day use only), and connecting trails to the Swampy Lakes ski trail system. Trail grooming by Tumalo Langlauf Ski Club volunteers has commenced and will continue with favorable snow conditions. (541) 585-2289 or
http://www.tumalolangluaf.com for updated grooming report.
There are also 5+ miles of easiest to more difficult snowshoeing trails with a connecting snowshoe trail to the Swampy Snowshoe trail system and Swampy Sno-Park constructed especially for snowshoeing. Snowshoers using these sno-parks are encouraged to use the snowshoe trails over the ski trails as they were designed for the snowshoeing experience; and they usually have tracks set shortly after each new snowfall. If you choose to use the ski trails for snowshoeing, remember to stay at least 2 feet to either side of a set ski track. This will help avoid ruining the ski track and a walked on ski track is unpleasant and hazardous to ski in.
Parking at Meissner Sno-Park has now doubled in capacity. Please continue to “head-in” park as efficiently as possible. Also check out the approx. 8 miles of new groomed trails for classic and skate skiing. A new Meissner shelter also provides premier views of the area.
Updated trail maps will soon be available at sno-park info board and on the Deschutes NF website.
Area is closed to dogs November 1 until April 30. Warming shelters are day use only (no camping).
* Wanoga Snow Play Sno-Park (Hwy 46 - Milepost 15, elevation 5400') – 28-30” snow depth. Good snow depth for sledding at this time.
This snow park designed and constructed in 2007 for families and groups interested in nonmotorized snow play, i.e., tubing and sledding. The site provides a 97 car parking area, sledding hill, fully enclosed warming shelter, restrooms and fire rings. Provides a designated and relatively safe sledding hill option. Dogs are permitted on leash only and at all times while on the slope or in the sno-park. Please park diagonally, vehicle length limit of 24 ft. and trailers prohibited. State sno-park permit required for parking.
Also provided out of the snow play parking area are 3 kilometers of nordic trails that are groomed for dogs and their skiing or snowshoeing human guardians. Human visitors are not required to have a dog but, dogs must be accompanied by humans. Leashes are required in the sno-park area, clean up after your pet and please maintain voice or physical control of your dog while on the trails. The trail begins out of the north side of the new Wanoga Sno-Play sno-park mentioned above.
* Frank Ellis (Wanoga) Snowmobile Sno-Park (Hwy 46 - Milepost 15, elevation 5500') – 30-32” snow depth. Fair-good snow depth for safe winter activities. Watch for low snow hazards. As most of these winter trails are on summer roads, some trails may have vehicle tracks making them difficult or unsafe to snowmobile. For this reason, roads in the area are closed to highway vehicles December 1-April 1.
Access to 150 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, Elk Lake Resort and 4 warming shelters. Trail grooming by Central Oregon Snow Busters and Sisters Sno-Go-Fers Snowmobile Club volunteers has commenced and will continue with favorable snow conditions. Area open to dogs and RV camping.
PLEASE NOTE: DESIGNATED WILDERNESS AREAS, CERTAIN AREAS AROUND DUTCHMAN SNO-PARK and Tumalo Mt., THE BEND MUNICIPAL WATERSHED, SWAMPY NORDIC SKI/SNOWSHOE AREA, WANOGA SNOW PLAY AREA AND MT. BACHELOR PERMIT SKI AREA ARE CLOSED TO ALL MOTORIZED USE. IN HIGH USE AREAS, PORTIONS OF THESE BOUNDARIES HAVE BEEN POSTED, BUT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILY OF THE USER TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE AT ALL TIMES!!! JUST BECAUSE THERE IS NO SIGN DOES NOT MEAN IT IS OPEN TO MOTORIZED USE.
* Swampy Lakes Sno-Park (Hwy 46 - Milepost 16, elevation 5800') – 34-38” snow depth. Good, but deep snow conditions for skiing or snowshoeing at this time. Trail breaking may be difficult and knee deep on some trails.
Access to about 25 miles of easy to most difficult nordic ski trails, 5 warming shelters (day use only), with connecting ski trails to Meissner, Vista Butte, and Dutchman trail systems. Tangent Trail grooming (diagonal and skate skiing) with access to Meissner groomed trails is performed by Tumalo Langlauf Ski Club volunteers has commenced and will continue with favorable snow conditions;
http://www.tumalolangluaf.com for updated grooming report.
There are also 9+ miles of easiest to most difficult snowshoeing trails, with a connecting snowshoe trail to the Meissner Snowshoe trail system and Meissner Sno-Park constructed especially for snowshoeing. Snowshoers using these sno-parks are encouraged to use the snowshoe trails over the ski trails as they were designed for the snowshoeing experience; and they usually have tracks set shortly after each new snowfall. If you choose to use the ski trails for snowshoeing, remember to stay at least 2 feet to either side of a set ski track. Walking at least 2 ft. to the side will avoid ruining the ski track; and a walked on ski track is unpleasant and hazardous to ski in.
New trail maps available at sno-park info board and soon at Deschutes NF website.
Area is closed to dogs (November 1 until April 30) and snowmobiles.
* Vista Butte Sno-Park (Hwy 46 - Milepost 18, elevation 5900') – 38-46” snow depth. Good snow conditions for skiing or snowshoeing at this time.
Access to 6 miles of more to most difficult ski trails and connecting trails to Swampy and Dutchman trail systems. Area is closed to dogs November 1 until April 30. Area closed to snowmobiling except on the nearby snowmobile trail. There is no snowmobile access from Vista Butte Sno-Park.
* Dutchman Sno-Park (Hwy 46 - Milepost 22, elevation 6250') – 42-48” snow depth. Good snow conditions for non-motorized and motorized winter trail activities, watch for possible low snow hazards. Expect difficult travel on ungroomed or broken trails. Avalanche conditions in the backcountry have likely increased substantially for the immediate future. Presently, 95% of the temporary winter boundary, trail marking, and destination signs are in place and the remainder are scheduled for installation over the next week with favorable snow conditions. Without these signs, trail navigation can be difficult and hazardous, especially under adverse weather.
Dutchman Sno-Park and the Flat continue to be a multible use area (winter motorized and nonmotorized). First come, first serve basis. No changes have been implemented over the past few years. Please abide by area boundaries and respect other users.
Access to 150 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, Cross District Trail access to Sisters and Crescent Ranger District snowmobile trails, snowmobile warming shelters, Elk Lake Resort, 19 miles of easy to most difficult nordic ski trails with a connecting trail to the Swampy Lakes ski trail system and now 3+ miles of designated snowshoe trails. Snowshoers using this area are encouraged to use the snowshoe trails over the ski trails as they were designed for the snowshoeing experience; and they usually have tracks set shortly after each new snowfall. If you choose to use the ski trails for snowshoeing, remember to stay at least 2 feet to either side of a set ski track. This will help avoid ruining the ski track and a walked on ski track is unpleasant and hazardous to ski in.
Updated trail maps are now available at some sno-park info boards. All 2010 winter trail maps should be available at sno-parks and at Deschutes NF website in time for the Christmas Holiday period.
Snowmobile trail grooming by Central Oregon Snow Busters and Sisters Sno-Go-Fers Snowmobile Club volunteers has commenced and will continue with favorable snow conditions.
Important reminders when using the Dutchman Sno-Park and area:
• Special winter use regulations are in effect indefinitely in the Dutchman Flat and Tumalo Mt. area. Some of the area is now closed to motorized use and other areas and snowmobile trails are closed to non-motorized use. These closures are or will be signed on the ground and are noted on the Dutchman/Tumalo Winter Use Area Map found in the Deschutes National Forest Website:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/r ... hman.shtml • Dutchman Sno-park is very congested and parking is limited during winter holidays and weekends. The lot fills early on these days. Pay close attention to “No Parking” zones. To make more efficient use of the limited parking space, vehicles or vehicle/trailer combinations over 40 ft. in length are not permitted to park at Dutchman Sno-park. Oversized vehicle/trailer combinations must use Wanoga or Edison Sno-Parks. The lower and mid-elevation snowmobile trails offer good access to the upper elevation trails and areas when there is adequate snow.
• Overnight camping is not permitted at Dutchman Sno-Park. Please camp at the lower snowparks (or overflow parking area near Dutchman Sno-Park) to avoid overcrowding at this congested area.
• Overnight parking is not permitted from Tuesdays 6 pm to Wednesdays 6 am and Thursdays 6 pm to Fridays 6 am to allow for complete plowing of the snow park. Vehicles may be towed at owners expense.
• The area is often busy on winter weekends and holiday periods with snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and snow play. All recreationists need to practice extra patience and adhere closely to posted closures and trail etiquette.
• Skiers and snowshoers are to stay to the right side when using open snowmobile (orange diamonds) trails.
• Snowmobilers, please slow to 10-20 mph when passing skiers/snowshoers. Also, obtain an area trail map and familiarize yourself with the areas closed to snowmobiles/atvs. These areas include: The Three Sisters Wilderness, Todd Lake, part of Tumalo Mt./Bend Municipal Watershed and the Mt. Bachelor Ski Area. Snowmobile access to Mt. Bachelor's Sunrise Lodge is permitted from the east via a snowmobile trail.
• The area is closed to dogs November 1 until April 30 except working dogs in harness are permitted on groomed snowmobile trails with a permit. Call (541) 383-4000 for info on obtaining the free permit.
* Edison Butte Sno-Park (4 miles south of Hwy 46 Milepost 19 on Road 45, elevation 5000') – 18-22” snow depth. Fair snow conditions for winter sports. Watch for low snow hazards.
Access to 24 miles of easy to most difficult nordic ski trails, 2 ski warming shelters (day use only), 4+ miles of snowshoeing trails, 150 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 3 snowmobile warming shelters and Elk Lake Resort (via snowmobile trails). Snowshoers using this area are encouraged to use the snowshoe trails over the ski trails as they were designed for the snowshoeing experience; and they usually have tracks set shortly after each new snowfall. If you choose to use the ski trails for snowshoeing, remember to stay at least 2 feet to either side of a set ski track. This will help avoid ruining the ski track and a walked on ski track is unpleasant and hazardous to ski in.
Snowmobile trail grooming by Central Oregon Snow Busters and Sisters Sno-Go-Fers Snowmobile Club volunteers has commenced (at higher elevations) and will continue with favorable snow conditions. Area open to dogs and RV camping. If you do bring a dog to this area, please practice good canine courtesy while on the trails and in the snow park and maintain control of your dog and clean up after them.
* Skyliner Snow Park (Milepost 9 on Skyliner Road, elevation 4700') – 6-10” snow depth. Marginal to fair snow conditions for winter activities. Road 4603 to Tumalo Falls is closed to vehicle traffic for the season with 14” of snow at the Falls.
Access to 5 miles of easy to more difficult nordic ski trails. Area is open to dogs. If you do bring a dog to this area, please practice good canine courtesy while on the trails and in the snow park and maintain control of your dog and clean up after them. Snowplay activities (sledding, tubing, etc.) are NOT permitted in this area. The slopes are too steep, contain hidden hazards, and have little to no runout to safely allow this activity. See “New…” section above for information on the New Wanoga Sno-Play Sno-Park.
Tumalo Creek Nordic Loop is no longer a “loop”. The trail that crossed the creek about 1 mile upstream from Skyliner has been removed along with the log bridge crossing. The bridge was deemed unsafe do to decay and removed along with the trail. You can still make a loop trip however by using the yet existing nordic trail on the south side of the creek up to Tumalo Falls and returning on the road.
The West Loop Trail just out of Skyliner has been removed from the trail system. Much of this trail was located on a road normally blocked by snow in the winter months. The road is now being plowed on a regular basis for land owners just up the hill from Skyliner.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument Nordic Ski and Snowmobile Trails:
* Ten Mile Sno-Park (10 miles east of Hwy 97 on Road 21, to Newberry Crater, elevation 5560') 10-12” snow depth. Marginal to fair snow conditions around the sno-park with 24-30” of snow in the Crater, for winter trail activities. Watch for low snow hazards.
Access to over 100 miles of snowmobile trails and 10 miles of easy to most difficult ski trails. Snowmobile trail grooming by Lodgepole Dodgers Snowmobile Club volunteers will commence with favorable snow conditions. Area is open to dogs and RV camping. If you do bring your dog to this area, please practice good canine courtesy while on the trails and in the snow park and maintain control of your dog and clean up after them. The Monument is closed to ATV use year round.
* Six Mile Sno-Park (6 miles east of Hwy 97 on Road 21, to Newberry Crater, elevation 4400') – Patchy snow depth. Inadequate snow conditions for winter trail activities. Watch for low snow hazards.
Access to over 100 miles of groomed (by Lapine Lodgepole Dodger volunteers) snowmobile trails when snow conditions permit. There is now a warming shelter (installed by Lapine Lodgepole Dodgers Snowmobile Club and Deschutes National Forest) and restroom facilities at Six Mile Sno-Park. Area is open to dogs. The Monument is closed to ATV use year round.
SISTERS RANGER DISTRICT SNO-PARK AND WINTER TRAIL CONDITIONS AS OF DECEMBER 16:
Santiam Winter Recreation Trail Maps available! The 2007 winter trail maps covering winter trails east and west of the Santiam Pass area are on sale ($7) at the Deschutes National Forest Headquarters, Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District office in Bend and Sisters Ranger District office in Sisters. They are also available at a few Sisters and Bend outdoor sports stores.
The following snow depths are approximations for the area around each snow park area. Actual depths may vary depending on recent weather conditions.
* Upper Three Creek Sno-Park ( Forest Road 16 - Milepost 11, elevation 5200') – 12-14” snow depth. Fair snow conditions for winter trail activities. Watch for low snow hazards. Tempory winter sign installation is yet in progress. Not all boundary and trail signing is in place.
The gates have been closed at Milepost 11 on the 16 Rd and the 700 Rd to Jefferson View Shelter. Snowmobile trail grooming by Central Oregon Snow Busters and Sisters Sno-Go-Fers Snowmobile Club volunteers has commenced out of the Wanoga area and will continue with favorable snow conditions. As snow conditions and volunteer availability permit, will grooming to the Three Creek area occur.
Non-Motorized access to 12 miles of ungroomed nordic trails and the Jefferson View Shelter. Snowshoe opportunities are plentiful, please when using designated ski trails walk at least 2 ft. to either side of a set ski track. Warming shelter is day use only (no camping). Snowmobiles are not allowed on the nordic ski trail system or at the Jefferson View Shelter.
Motorized access to over 30 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and additional access to over 150 miles of snowmobile trails on the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District. Loss of a trail bridge has removed access to Ray Benson Sno-Park and trail systems at Santiam Pass. PLEASE NOTE: WILDERNESS AREAS ARE CLOSED TO ALL MOTORIZED USE. IN HIGH USE AREAS PORTIONS OF THE WILDERNESS BOUNDARY HAVE BEEN POSTED, BUT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILY OF THE USER TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE AT ALL TIMES!!! JUST BECAUSE THERE IS NO SIGN DOES NOT MEAN IT IS OPEN.
* Lower Three Creek Sno-Park ( Forest Road 16 - Milepost , 5000 ') – 3-6” snow depth. Indequate snow conditions.
* Corbett Sno-Park (Hwy 20 – 16 miles West of Sisters, elevation 4300') CLOSED – Due to continual vandalism, marginal snow, limited snow plowing budgets and hwy safety, Corbett will not be plowed this winter. Please use Ray Benson Sno-Park at the summit of Santiam Pass to access this trail system. Ray Benson provides access to 50 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 21 miles of groomed nordic trails, Hoodoo Ski Area, Suttle Lake Resort and 3 warming shelters (day use only). Area open to dogs and camping.
To get the most updated status on grooming at Santiam Pass please call the McKenzie Ranger District at 1-541-822-3381. PLEASE NOTE: WILDERNESS AREAS ARE CLOSED TO ALL MOTORIZED USE. IN HIGH USE AREAS PORTIONS OF THE WILDERNESS BOUNDARY HAVE BEEN POSTED, BUT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILY OF THE USER TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE AT ALL TIMES!!! JUST BECAUSE THERE IS NO SIGN DOES NOT MEAN IT IS OPEN.
• McKenzie Snow Park (undeveloped free site) (Hwy 242 - Milepost 6, elevation 4000') – No snow depth. Inadquate snow conditions, with access to the parking area good right now, although it can be sporadic due to the fact that there is no official snow plowing on 242, except by HTS to access their land. Watch for low snow hazards.
Access to about 45 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. Nordic and snowshoe opportunities are abound, but beware there are no marked nordic trails in this area. Many winter users like to ski, snowshoe or snowmobile along the McKenzie Highway to the Dee Wright Observatory which is 8 miles from the parking area. The observatory offers a spectacular 360 degree view of the Cascades.
Most of the Mckenzie Highway is bordered on both sides by Wilderness. PLEASE NOTE: WILDERNESS AREAS ARE CLOSED TO ALL MOTORIZED USE. IN HIGH USE AREAS PORTIONS OF THE WILDERNESS BOUNDARY HAVE BEEN POSTED, BUT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILY OF THE USER TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE AT ALL TIMES!!! JUST BECAUSE THERE IS NO SIGN DOES NOT MEAN IT IS OPEN.
CRESCENT RANGER DISTRICT SNO-PARK AND WINTER TRAIL CONDITIONS AS OF DECEMBER 16:
• Crescent Junction Sno-Park (Off Hwy 58, ¼ mile south on Forest Road 60, Milepost , elevation 4,750') – 12-14” snow depth. Poor to fair snow conditions. Report of snow consistency like “mashed potatoes” due to recent rain on snow. Watch for low snow hazards.
• Crescent Lake Sno-Park (Off Hwy 58, 2 miles south on Forest Road 60, elevation 4,700') – 12-14” snow depth. Poor to fair snow conditions. Report of snow consistency like “mashed potatoes” due to recent rain on snow. Watch for low snow hazards.
• Cresent Lake area trail grooming report:
Hotline...call (541) for more current trails information
Ben Sunderland, Grooming Program Chairman
Winter logging operations have potential impacts to snowmobile trails on Crescent Ranger District. The following information and actual impacts to winter recreation activities are subject to change; we will keep you posted as changes occur.
• 6020 Road - There is a small sale at the Boy Scout Camp that they plan on beginning next week. This would include plowing the 6020. There are restrictions related to eagles so this will likely shut down as of January 1. The 6020 will continue to be impacted off and on in future years by other stewardship and timber sales until 2013.
• 5825 Road - Only about .5 miles of this road where it is also snowmobile trail will be impacted. This will likely be on and off as well until 2013.
• 44 Road (new groomed section) - This is also the haul route for the NBD sale that can be operated in the winter, but we have not heard of plans this winter. Because of width of road this could be shared use as well.
• 4672 and 4680 - There is some potential that these roads could be used to grind landing piles this winter, but there are no firm plans yet.
Except for the 44 Road, which was not restricted at the time of sale, all roads are restricted meaning that hauling is allowed on weekdays only and plowing by the purchasers generally calls for leaving 8 inches of snow on the road to allow for dual use.
Based on recent concerns, the sale administrators have witnessed and purchasers have reported that plowing one lane creates some hazards. Apparently snowmobilers more often than not end up using the plowed side and then the snowmobile and trucks don't have options. The preference is to plow more than a lane with turnouts to give room for both snowmobilers and trucks to respond.
Use extra caution when riding thru these logging operations.
SPECIAL SAFETY NOTES:
Go prepared for changeable weather conditions. This time of year (as anytime) we can have very changeable weather from clear, sunny and warm in the morning to stormy, cold and wet or snowy. Be sure to go prepared with plenty of warm clothing, water, and food as well as other emergency essentials. Winter snows have begun accumulating and will only continue over the coming months.
For further Deschutes National Forest winter or summer trails information, please call:
Deschutes National Forest Headquarters: (541) 383-5300
Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District: (541) 383-4000
Sisters Ranger District: (541) 549-7700
Crescent Ranger District: (541) 433-3200
This report updated bi-weekly or as time permits!
Have a safe winter!
