Category Archives: Access

The Forest Services has announced that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Ochoco Summit Trail System project on the Ochoco National Forest is now available for public review and comment. The proposed action in this EIS includes designation of a 170-mile motorized trail system, including separate areas designed for use by Class I (ATVs), Class II (jeeps and 4x4s) and Class III (motorcycles) vehicles.

Continue reading at http://www.sharetrails.org/node/15585

Orofino, ID – Motorists planning to travel Morris Creek Road No. 1969 need to find an alternate route from September 1 through October 15, 2010, when the road will be closed to all motorized traffic due to construction work.

According to District Engineer Dave Brady, the Morris Creek deep fill culvert installation project will take place during that period. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the work will include deep excavation in the roadway along with culvert installation and embankment reconstruction.

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The Forest Service has closed the Mt. Loop Scenic Byway between Mt. Pugh trailhead and North Fork Sauk, Forest Road 49, to vehicle traffic Aug. 23-26, and Aug. 30-Sept. 2.

Visitors can access Mt. Pugh trailhead and the White Chuck Overlook from Darrington. Forest Road 49, North Fork Sauk Trail #649, Bedal Campground, Goat Lake trailhead and Barlow Pass will be accessible through Granite Falls.

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Naches, WA – Unusual storm patterns during the winter of 2006 brought a variety of weather conditions ranging from snow, wind and rain to unusually warm conditions across the Cascade Range that caused extensive damage to mountain roads and trails across the Naches Ranger District.

The worst hit was Deep Creek Road or Forest Service Road 1808, and the Bumping River Road or Forest Service Road 1800. Both roads were washed out from high water creating new channels and eroding outlets below culverts to the point critical fish habitat was destroyed, rendering passage to spawning grounds impossible.

The washout has meant only hikers and horseback riders can access the popular Twin Sisters Trailhead at the end of the Deep Creek Road.

The Granite Lake, Swamp Lake and Fish Lake Trailheads along the Bumping River Road are also restricted to foot and horse traffic, and closed to motorized travel.

“This doesn’t mean you can’t hike, ride a mountain bike or go in on horseback,” said Visitor Services Information Assistant Doug Jenkins. “Those opportunities are still open. The problems we are dealing with regarding this closure are motorized users disregarding the closure, signs being torn down and gates being ripped up, which creates a problem for everyone working on this project.”

Read more at Deep Creek and Bumping River Roads Status

Orofino, ID – Motorists should be aware of logging traffic on several Clearwater National Forest roads.

According to Timber Contracting Officer Mark Craig, activities are gearing up on the Palouse Ranger District’s Gold Bug Timber Sale. That project is located approximately five miles northeast of Potlatch, Idaho.

Read more at Logging activity prevalent on some Forest roads