Storm Damage Forces Closure of Some Recreation Areas and Roads in Western Washington

[Steve]

N E W S ...R E L E A S E

No. 07-142
December 7, 2007
Contact: Princess Jackson-Smith, 360-902-1066, Contact: princess.jackson-smith@dnr.wa.gov

Storm Damage Forces Closure of Some Recreation Areas and Roads in Western Washington

DNR is continuing to assess conditions

OLYMPIA – Following a preliminary assessment of impacts from the December 3 storm, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has determined that there is significant damage on the trails, roads, and recreation sites it manages over a wide area of Western Washington. As a result, campgrounds, trails, and roads in various locations are temporarily closed to protect public safety.

“DNR region staffs are working with the recreation groups and volunteers to inventory sites and facilities and assess damages,” said Assistant Division Manager Mark Mauren. “We will be actively working on getting the resources and organizing our volunteers to get all our facilities open as soon as possible.”

Recreation Facility Closures

Capitol State Forest
All campgrounds and day-use facilities in Capitol State Forest are closed until April 1, 2008. The trails are closed to equestrian and ORV use until April 1, 2008. Hikers, mountain bikers and other visitors are asked to use extreme caution on forest roads and recreation trails throughout the forest in the next several months as damage assessments continue. To report damage to the recreation trails and facilities throughout Capitol Forest, or assist with trail damage assessments, send an e-mail to: christine.redmond@dnr.wa.gov.

Tahuya, Green Mountain, and Hood Canal State Forests
The Tahuya, Green Mountain, and Hood Canal State Forests are temporarily closed to public access. Flooding has caused severe trail system and campground damage, resulting in hazardous trail and campground conditions. A number of trail bridges were washed out, and there is severe rutting of trail and forest road surfaces. From initial assessments it appears that extensive repairs will be needed to reopen the entire trail network, but segments of the trail systems may be re-opened as sections are repaired and deemed safe for public use. To report damage to the recreation trails and facilities throughout these forests, or assist with trail damage assessments, send an e-mail to: sam.jarrett@dnr.wa.gov.

Green Mountain State Forest: Green Mountain Trail System, Green Mountain Campground, Wildcat Trailhead, and Gold Creek Trailhead.

Tahuya State Forest: Tahuya State Forest Trail System, Robbins Lake Day Use Area, Aldrich Lake Campground, Twin Lakes Campground, Howell Lake Day Use Area, Tahuya River Horse Camp, Kammenga Campground, Spillman Campground, Kammenga 4X4 Trail Entrance, Elfendahl Staging Trailhead, Camp Pond Trailhead, Mission Creek Trailhead.

Hood Canal State Forest: Lilliwaup Campground, Melbourne Campground.

Sol Duc Area: Bear Creek Campground.

Road Closures

Forest roads on DNR-managed land have sustained a tremendous amount of damage, causing the closure of numerous roads in Grays Harbor, Thurston, Mason, Kitsap, Lewis, and Pacific Counties. There is extensive blow-down along the coast range and debris slides in the higher elevations. DNR Engineers are assessing the roads, and have started to repair the most important ones.

If you have questions about access to a specific areas, call the Region Offices.
Grays Harbor County: Olympic Region, 360-374-6131
Mason and Kitsap Counties: South Puget Sound Region, 360-825-1631
Thurston, Lewis, and Pacific Counties: Pacific Cascade Region, 360-577-2025

Updates

Visit http://www.dnr.wa.gov/htdocs/lm/recr...ecreation.html for updates on closures.