Posts Tagged ‘snowmobiling’

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.”

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Winter Road Closures in Place on Gifford Pinchot National Forest (Washington)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Chris Strebig (360) 891-5005

VANCOUVER, WA – Due to the unusually low snowpack this year, officials with the Gifford Pinchot National Forest would like to remind all forest visitors that there is a winter recreation road closure from December 1 to April 1 that prohibits wheeled vehicles on certain roads. These closures are to protect wildlife during the winter period and to provide for winter sports such as skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. This closure helps to prevent damage to the surface of the groomed snowmobile and ski trails. Compliance with this closure will help save money targeted for snow grooming. Please check with your local Forest Service Office for the list of roads that are closed.

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Winter Logging Begins in Lion Gulch Near Liberty, Washington

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest – USDA Forest Service
Contact: Kim Larned (509) 852-1062
Website: www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee
Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/okawennf

Cle Elum, WA – Winter logging operations have begun in Lion Gulch near Liberty as part of the Liberty Wildland Urban Interface Fuels Reduction Project. Logging operations and log trucks will be working Monday – Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM. The road will be plowed for log trucks but enough snow will be left on the road to allow continued snowmobile use. The road will remain closed to all other wheeled vehicles. Snowmobilers are urged to use extreme caution when riding on FS road 9712 as they will likely encounter log truck traffic during the week. The logging is expected to last through February.

The need for the fuels reduction project came from unnaturally extreme fire conditions in the Liberty area are the result of a century of well-intended fire suppression practices that have allowed fuels to build to unacceptable levels. This project is a step toward returning the area to a healthy condition and will create fuel breaks by commercially thinning approximately 1,310 acres, opening the forest cover, and reducing fuels. The focus of thinning will be on smaller diameter trees. In the planned fuel breaks, fuels will be reduced using a variety of means, including hand- and machine-piling and burning piles, and/or underburning.

For more information, please call the Cle Elum Ranger District at (509) 852-1100.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/news/2009/12/01/index.shtml

Gifford Pinchot Forest Roads 25, 81, and 83 Gated for Winter Season (Washington)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Chris Strebig (360) 891-5005 cell (360) 901-2131

Vancouver, WA – Increasing snow at higher elevations is causing the closure of some Forest roads for the winter. Winter recreationists should keep in mind that roads to Sno-Parks will not be plowed until December 1 or later.

Forest Road 25 is now gated at the south end due to increasing snow levels at higher elevations. The north end of Forest Road 25 is gated at Benham Creek, five miles north of Forest Road 99, due to an ongoing landslide. Forest Road 81 is closed beyond Cougar Sno-Park, and Forest Road 83 is closed beyond Marble Mountain Sno-Park.

Forest Service Road 52 (Skate Creek Road), from Packwood to Highway 706, is still open, however, wintry conditions should be expected. Gates at both ends of the road will be closed when snow accumulates.

On the west side of Mount St. Helens, State Route 504 remains open east of the Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center as far Coldwater Lake recreation site. The Johnston Ridge Observatory is closed for the winter. Travelers on State Route 504 should watch out for ice in shaded areas and on bridges as well as for wildlife. The Washington State Department of Transportation plans to maintain State Route 504 for winter travel to Coldwater Lake and the Hummocks Trail as weather conditions and available equipment permit. Winter visitors need to be aware that road conditions can change quickly due to blowing snow. For the latest information on State Route 504 and other Washington State Highways visit WSDOT’s web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/Southwest/. Motorists can receive updates by calling 511.

As winter snows arrive many roads on the Gifford Pinchot will be closed for the winter months. As winter closures take effect, vehicular access will be restricted to many popular spots on the Forest. These closures are to protect wildlife during the winter period and to provide for winter sports such as skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. All closed areas, are open to the public with access by foot. Wheeled vehicles are restricted from all-winter sports travel routes. Snowmobiles are not allowed in wildlife winter range areas. Once implemented winter wildlife and winter sports closures will be in effect until April 1, 2010.

Please make sure you and your vehicle are prepared for winter travel. Remember to carry emergency equipment and chains. Your safety depends on good planning and good judgment. For updates on weather and road conditions, contact Forest Service offices and for statewide road information visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/.

http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/news/2009/documents/final-20091025a-Roads-closures.pdf

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

Snowmobilers Help Rescue Winter Recreation

Things were looking pretty bleak for snowmobilers who love to ride the dry winter powder on state trust lands near Yakima and Ellensburg.

Due to budget cuts earlier this year by the Legislature, DNR was planning to suspend its winter recreation program at five snow parks this season. Concerned about the possibility of not having access to their favorite winter recreation sites , the snowmobiling community decided to get proactive.

In a short few weeks, members of the Yakima Ski Benders collected the $25,000 necessary to keep the program alive.

Read more at Snowmobilers Help Rescue Winter Recreation