New Plan for Ahtanum State Forest Will Help Improve Recreation Safety and Sustainability
Today, DNR released the Ahtanum State Forest Recreation Plan. For the past two years, DNR staff worked with a citizen group to develop the plan. Members of the Ahtanum Recreation Plan Work Group included representatives from a broad range of motorized and non-motorized recreation interests, as well as a wildlife biologist, a conservationist, and a neighboring landowner to DNR-managed land.
Read more at New plan for Ahtanum State Forest will help improve recreation safety and sustainability
Categories: Access Tags: ahtanum state forest, dnr, washington, washington state, washington state department of natural resources
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
State DNR to hold public meeting on Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting to provide information and receive public comments on a draft recreation plan for the Reiter Foothills Forest.
Reiter Foothills Forest is a popular recreation area located in eastern Snohomish County near Gold Bar and Index.
When: Wednesday, November 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: The Commons, Monroe High School, 17001 Tester Rd., Monroe
In 2007, the Washington State Legislature recognized the challenges of managing recreational use at Reiter Foothills Forest and funded DNR’s development of a sustainable recreation plan. For the past two years, DNR has worked with a diverse group of stakeholders – including citizens, user groups, representatives from conservation groups, and local officials – to create a recreation plan that identifies long-term recreation uses and addresses problems in the area.
In addition to Reiter Foothills Forest, DNR is also doing sustainable recreation planning for two other forest areas in Washington State: Ahtanum State Forest near Yakima and the western portion of the Yacolt Burn State Forest, north of Washougal.
DNR will release the draft Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan on its web site on Tuesday, November 10. DNR is requesting feedback from the public about the findings and recommendations in this plan. In conjunction with the public review of the plan, DNR is also conducting an official State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process. The public comment period runs from November 10 through December 4.
For more information about the meeting, contact Candace Johnson, 360-854-2803 or candace.johnson@dnr.wa.gov .
The public can provide all written comments about the Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan or the SEPA environmental analysis to:
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
SEPA Center
PO Box 47105
Olympia, WA 98504
sepacenter@dnr.wa.gov
Recreation On DNR-Managed Lands
DNR manages more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, aquatic, agricultural, conservation and urban lands. Most recreation on these lands takes place in the 2.2 million acres of forests that DNR manages as state trust lands. By law, state trust lands are managed to produce income for schools, universities, prisons, state mental hospitals, community colleges, local services in many counties, and the state’s general fund. State trust lands are also managed to provide fish and wildlife habitat and educational and recreational opportunities.
DNR-managed lands provide 1,100 miles of trails, 143 recreation sites, and a variety of landscapes throughout Washington State. Recreational opportunities include hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping, motorized vehicle riding, mountain biking, and boating.
DNR’s main recreation focus is to provide trails, trailhead facilities, and a primitive experience in a natural setting.
Media Contact: Toni Droscher, Recreation Program Communications Manager, 360-902-1523 or toni.droscher@dnr.wa.gov .
Categories: Press Releases Tags: ahtanum state forest, boating, camping, department of natural resources, dnr, fishing, gold bar, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, motorized vehicle riding, mountain biking, recreation, recreational, reiter foothills forest, snohomish county, washington, washington state, washington state department of natural resources, washougal, yacolt burn state forest, yakima
Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.11.2009
Day Five – Saturday, July 11, 2009
The day we had to depart Conconully, Washington had arrived. It was time to pack up the Toyota Land Cruiser and be checked out by Noon.
After saying our goodbyes, we headed into Okanogan for fuel and started heading South on US-97. We then made unplanned route change and decided to go home over the more scenic North Cascades Highway (SR-20).
From Okanogan, SR-20 climbs over Loup Loup Summit and then descends into the Methow Valley at Twisp where we stopped for lunch. After leaving, we drove through WInthrop and got coffee at a local stand. While waiting for coffee, I spoke to a reader of this site (who is also an 80-series land Cruiser owner) who was attending a Subaru club run. As usual for a sunny summer Saturday, Winthrop was very busy. Without stopping we continued on Westbound, following the Methow River with all rafters and tubers floating the river.
From Mazama, SR-20 steadily climbs into the North Cascades with beautiful views of the Alp-like mountains and Ross Lake on the West side. We stopped at one of the Ross lake viewpoints and realized how hot the temperature really was. It was warmer there than during any of our time in the past week in Eastern Washington.
Near Rockport, we drove past the Cascadian Farms where there was sign for “homemade ice cream” so we had to make a stop. I had organic strawberry ice cream which I had to say was probably the best I’ve ever had. It was very hot in Rockport as well, just add the humidity. I’ll take the dry heat over the humid heat any day. From Rockport we, followed SR-20 to Burlington and then South on I-5 to our home in Edgewood.
We only had a few days to spend in Conconully and I could have easily spent weeks exploring the area. There is so much history in the area that I only sampled a few sites. It’s nice to visit an area that most of the roads are open to vehicle travel with very few restrictions. In fact, many of the forest service roads (and the town of Conconully) are open to quads, making to it an ATV paradise. I only wish some other government agencies and private land owners in Washington state would open up access to some of the other available lands.
The town of Conconully probably has a higher mule deer population within the town limits than permanent residents. I saw more three three point or better mule deer bucks on this trip than in my entire life combined. I’m sure these prized bucks know when to disappear in the Fall.
The whole family made the decision that we’re all going back next year for sure. Just got to budget for a little longer stay next time around.
Note: This is the fifth and final installment of a five part series on our family trip to Conconully, Washington in July 2009.
Part 1: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.07.2009
Part 2: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.08.2009
Part 3: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.09.2009
Part 4: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.10.2009
Part 5: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.11.2009
Categories: Adventures Tags: Access, atv, burlington, cascadian farms, conconully, eastern washington, edgewood, forest service, land cruiser, loup loup summit, mazama, methow river, methow valley, mountains, mule deer, north cascades, north cascades highway, okanogan, quads, roads, rockport, ross lake, toyota, twisp, washington, washington state, winthrop
Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.07.2009
A few months back, my cousin Frank invited my family to come over to Conconully, Washington for a few days in July. Every year for the approximately the past ten years, his family has been spending their summer vacation at the Shady Pines Resort on the shores of the Conconully Reservoir. Having only drove through the town a few years ago on my Washington Cascade Overland Adventure, I knew it would be a fun place to hang out and explore for a few days. Luckily, there was a cabin available for four nights so we booked it.
I spent the week prior to the trip getting prepared. My daughter had never been fishing and I hadn’t gone for a long time myself, so new fishing poles and tackle were in order. I also borrowed my son’s ARB Freezer/Fridge for the trip to keep the frozen goods nice and cold for the trip. I then had to figure out how to pack three people, a large dog crate, the freezer, tools, recovery gear, spare parts, fishing gear, food and personal stuff for three people for five days into the Land Cruiser. Good thing we were not camping (still have to figure that one out).
This trip also marked the first real test of my Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser since I installed the rebuilt 3FE engine. The engine had just recently logged 2000 miles on the new rebuild and it was time to put it through the test.
Day One – Tuesday, July 7, 2009
My goal was to be out the door by 6:00 AM for the trip to Conconully. To my amazement, we actually were out the door five minutes early. I think my daughter was excited for the trip. We fueled up at the local coffee stand and headed East.
From our home in Edgewood, Washington, we headed East over SR-19 to I-90 to Cle Elum, Washington. We stopped at the Cottage Cafe in Cle Elum for a very large and delicious breakfast (as usual). From Cle Elum, we headed over US-97 Alt over Blewett Pass to US-2 to Wenatchee, Washington. From Wenatchee, we drove North on US-97 to Lincoln Rock for the first fuel stop. We drove a little further and stopped at the Beebe Bridge Park to let the dog out and to take a little break from the drive. Our next stop was in Omak, Washington were we topped off the fuel tank and picked up some perishable groceries for the week. From Omak, Conconully is about a twenty-something mile drive. We arrived at the Shady Pines Resort a little after 2:00 PM, said our hellos and checked in our cabin.
Shady Pines Resort is located on the West shore of the Conconully Reservoir. There are lake side RV spaces, a log cabin duplex (where we stayed) and then across the road, there are several individual cabins to rent. Our cabin was equipped with two queen beds, a trundle bed to sleep a few extra people, a dining table, a full size refrigerator, a full size range, a fully equipped kitchen, a 3/4 bathroom and an excellent view of Conconully Reservoir (if you look past the RVs down below you).
We spent our first day just visiting and relaxing. It had just cooled down to the mid-70’s from the weekend where the temperature was in the upper 90’s. That night we watched the nearly full moon rise over the lake.
Note: This is the first installment of a five part series on our family trip to Conconully, Washington in July 2009.
Part 1: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.07.2009
Part 2: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.08.2009
Part 3: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.09.2009
Part 4: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.10.2009
Part 5: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.11.2009
Categories: Adventures Tags: beebe bridge park, blewett pass, cle elum, conconully, conconully reservoir, okanogan, omak, pacific northwest, shady pines resort, washington, washington state, wenatchee
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Travel Management Plan
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (OWNF) is proposing changes to motor vehicle use on specific roads, trails and areas within the non-wilderness portion of the Forest.
Details of the proposed action, maps as well as a calendar of public meeting dates are available at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/okawen/travel-management/
Comments will be acceptrd until May 7, 2009. See the above site for details.
Categories: Access Tags: Access, forest, forest service, land use, national forest, ohv, okanogan, recreation, travel management plan, usfs, washington, washington state, wenatchee
Colville National Forest Wants Input on Motorized Routes
Colville National Forest
Public Affairs Office
765 South Main Street
Colville, WA 99114
Contact:
Franklin Pemberton (509) 684-7177
Elsha Kirby (509) 684-7174
For Immediate Release: March 11, 2009
The Forest Service will be holding the first in a series of public meetings to develop a motorized recreation management plan for the “South End” portion of the Colville National Forest. The “South End” area includes the Chewelah, Calispell, and Tacoma Creek drainages, roughly between Chewelah and Cusick, Washington. The first brief meeting will be setting the stage for continued collaboration. Forest Service staff will provide information about the project and how the rest of the meetings will be conducted, and will be held at the Chewelah Peak Learning Center, located at 3215 Flowery Trail Road, near the 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort ski area. The meeting will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2009.
