Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Crooked River National Grassland

Summer Trails Short Report - Deschutes

Trail Conditions Tables Report:

• Bend Fort Rock Trail Conditions Table
• Crescent Trail Conditions Table
• Sisters Trail Conditions Table

Current COHVOPS Report

Summary 9/9/2008:

• Presently experiencing great Sept weather for trail activities. Just a reminder for this time of year, the weather can change in short order as plenty of trail users found out over Labor Day weekend.

  • Well over 100 South Sister hikers found out just how fast as the morning of Aug. 31 started out cool but sunny and ended up with snow, winds and low visability developing at higher and even some mid elevations. Snow flurries were reported that evening down to 5,400'. Most South Sister hikers opted on the side of safety and turned around before reaching the summit, but a few did persist. The earlier hikers made the summit before visability dropped with snow starting falling about 1 pm. Most hikers bailing after the snow started were not prepared for the conditions.

• Three hikers chose to continue to the summit late in the afternoon in degrading conditions; they too were not prepared for snow/wet/windy conditions. On reaching the summit at about 5 pm in near zero visability, they become disoriented and were unable to locate the trail they had just climbed. The trio came off the top somewhere to the west of the trail and soon realized they were lost. About 2:30 am (8 hours after calling in on a cell phone that ultimately lost battery life) a Deschutes County Sheriff Search and Rescue team and Forest Service located the hikers who were wet, cold, lost and stuck at the base of a cliff. In the end, they were warmed, recovered and led out by rescuers after sunrise. The situation could have been quite different had one or two of the hikers taken a fall and been injuried or killed, stumbling around in the dark with snow flurries. Fortunately for them, where they were stopped by a cliff was also a good bivy spot mostly out of the weather. Had they spent much more time wandering in the cold and dark, advanced hypothermia and frostbite likely would have been the price they paid. Again, these hikers were not fully prepared for the conditions, hiking in mostly cotton clothing and light weather gear and pushing the conditions.

• On other trail safety issues over the holiday weekend, canoeists attempted to run Pringle Falls and unfortunately one drowned in the attempt. A mt. biker too ended up taking a crash on Flagline Trail, breaking his collar bone and being assisted out by rescuers. Last weekend a trail accident ended in a horse having to be "put down" near Green Lakes after taking a fall and reportedly breaking a leg.

• These recent accidents are a reminder to all trail users, whether by foot, paddle, peddle or hoof, to take extra care in being prepared for expected and unexpected conditions. Please be safe and remember:

  • If the trail or water you are using is unfamiliar to you, seek out the conditions and what you're up against and if it's even doable.

  • Keep your limits and the limits of others in your group in mind. This time of year the days are getting shorter and nights colder; adverse weather, even snow, can be come in with little warning. Think about if you were forced to spend a night out with freezing temperatures, do you have the gear and knowledge on any given trip?

    • Did you remember to file a "flight plan" with a friend or family member and what they should do should you not return on time?

    • What if you or someone in your party are injured or fall ill, can you handle it?

    • Cell phones and other high tech communication devices are helpful and even life savers, when they work and you have reception. If they fail, are you prepared?

    • Search and Rescue teams work hard to reach those in need in a timely manner. But, they may take several hours or more to organize and access many remote (even some close in) locations. If directions are fuzzy or not known, weather poor, it could be a day or several before locating those in need. Again, in some instances be prepared to spend a night out.

• The good news on the trail front is the mosquitoes are pretty much nonexistent and fall conditions some of the finest for getting out. The summertime crowds have about disappeared.

Volunteers

• What many folks may not realize is that the Deschutes National Forest relies more and more on volunteers to complete much of our seasonal trail work. As recreation budgets continue on a downward trend (Northwest Forest Pass funds only a portion of the summer recreation program, not winter) and overall use and demands on the Forest's trails and trailheads/snow parks increases maintenance needs.
• Increasingly, volunteerism becomes a bigger piece of our winter and summer trails program. Without volunteers, many miles of trails wouldn't be cleared (even constructed), signs installed/maintained, shelters stocked with firewood, hundreds of winter trail miles groomed for snowmobiling, nordic skiing and snowshoeing, winter trail maps printed and provided free to the public, etc. And right now, it's especially important for volunteers to step forward and help with winter preparations or your favorite shelter may not have firewood, trails brushed as well as you would like, signs in place and maps available.

How can you get involved?

• For those not involved in one of the local summer or winter trail clubs and actively volunteering already, check into joining a local ski, snowmobile, snowshoe, hiking, biking, running or horse club. These clubs promote and organize periodic trail work parties that coordinate trail maintenance efforts with Forest Service and BLM employees.
• For those not interested in joining a club, you can volunteer as an individual or with friends/family directly with your local Forest Service or BLM. Contact your local office for more information. For those interested in volunteering on winter trails here on the Deschutes National Forest, contact Shelly Hakanson at (541) 383-5576 or Todd Cardin at (541) 383-4794. Shelly and Todd can get you started in the right direction with information on volunteering in our local trails programs.

Summer trail users:

• Don't leave home without the proper clothing, emergency gear and attitude for the weather. We've had at least 2 folks in the past 2 weeks who have spent an unexpected night out in the cold.
• Expect trail conditions to be on the muddy side and remember, riding or hiking on very soft and muddy sections of trail can increase trail tread damage and erosion greatly. Avoid using those trails that are prone to mud developing.
• 2 trail accidents involving serious injuries occurred over the past week. Be sure to stay well within your limits and watch out for others on the trails. Recent nice weather has really brought out plenty of trail users across the Forest; not likely the case this week though.
• Recent winds have brought down trees across some trails. Be aware that fall and winter storms will result in more windthrow

Weather forecast

Check out TripCheck (Oregon Department of Transportation) for more road conditions and travel route information.

USDA Forest Service - Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Last Modified: Wednesday, 10 September 2008 at 16:02:20 EDT