Washington State DNR Releases Final Recreation Plan For Ahtanum State Forest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2010
DNR, Citizen Group Work To Improve Recreation Opportunities And Access
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today released a recreation plan for the Ahtanum State Forest, a 76,000-acre block of forested state trust land about 20 miles west of Yakima.
The Ahtanum State Forest is a popular year-round recreation area for visitors from both sides of the Cascade Mountains. Over the years, the area has experienced increased use from a variety of recreation activities including off-road vehicle riding, hiking, hunting, and horseback riding.
“This plan provides the foundation for creating safe, sustainable, and enjoyable recreation opportunities in the Ahtanum State Forest,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. “The strength of the plan lies in the collaborative efforts of citizens representing diverse recreation interests who helped develop a vision for the forest.”
Categories: Access Tags: ahtanum state forest, biking, cascade mountains, cross-country skiing, dnr, four wheel drive, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, motorized recreation, non-motorized recreation, off road, public lands, recreation, sno-park, snowmobiling, state forest, washington, washington state, washington state department of natural resources, winter recreation, yakima
Echo Ridge Nordic Area Opens (Washington)
News Release – USDA Forest Service – Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Contact: Joe Kastenholz, Chelan Ranger District Resource Assistant, 509-682-4900
Ken Dull, Chelan Ranger District Winter Recreation Manager, 509-548-4962
Website: www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee
Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/okawennf
Chelan, WA- This week’s winter storms have brought deep powder snow to the Chelan area, allowing the winter season’s beginning of cross country skiing. The Chelan Ranger District is happy to announce that Echo Ridge Nordic Area is officially open for cross country skiing with most of the system trails already flat packed with a corduroy surface. Fantastic scenery may be seen from many of the trails that will have tracks set as snow conditions allow. Almost all trails are open. “Zoom” and the “Inner and Outer Rim Trails” are scheduled to be open before Christmas.
Ski passes are required and available on-site at Echo Ridge Trailheads. Fees for Day Passes are $10.00 per adult, with no charge for skiers and snowshoers age 17 and under. Season passes are $70.00 and are available at the Chelan Ranger Station located at 428 W. Woodin Avenue. The Chelan Ranger Station is open Monday – Friday from 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM.
For current winter trail information, please contact the Chelan Ranger Station at 509-682-4900.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/news/2009/12/04/index.shtml
Categories: Press Releases Tags: chelan, cross-country skiing, echo ridge, echo ridge nordic area, forest service, recreation, washington, wenatchee national forest, winter
Winter Weather Closes Upper Section of Steens Mountain Loop Road (Oregon)
HINES, OR. – Changing weather patterns, recent snowfall and heavy drifting closed the upper section of the Steens Mountain Loop Road for the winter season. Effective November 13, the gates just below Jackman Park Campground and Big Indian Overlook were closed, preventing vehicular travel around the entire Loop Road until next spring.
Despite the closure, all Steens Mountain area campgrounds except Jackman Park remain open. Deep snow may prevent some travelers from reaching Fish Lake Campground at times. South Steens and Page Springs Campgrounds are still fully accessible, but have been winterized. Page Springs will be the only campground open throughout the winter season, with reduced fees of $4 per vehicle per night.
Remember – when recreating this time of year, your chance of finding someone in trouble or
having trouble yourself is an ever present danger. For your safety:
- check weather reports and find out about road and access conditions before starting your trip;
- stay on designated, maintained roads and avoid wet, muddy or snow-drifted areas;
- be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions;
- always start your trip with a full tank of fuel;
- let someone at home know where you plan to go and when to expect your return;
- do not rely on phone service for emergency communication; and
- pack survival gear in your vehicle or on your person.
In the coming weeks, snow levels are expected to drop into the lower elevations, eventually resulting in closure of the remaining portions of the Loop Road for the winter. As snow accumulation increases, winter recreation opportunities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and limited snowmobiling on Steens Mountain will be available by permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
For current road and access conditions on BLM-administered lands in Harney County, call the
Burns District BLM Office at (541) 573-4400.
About the BLM:
The BLM manages more land – 256 million acres – than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/burns/files/upperloopclosed111309.pdf
