The
Dark Divide trails are extreme in every sense of the word
The trails can be extremely
narrow, often the width of a tire. Most of the trails have extremely
steep sideslopes with rocks and stumps hidden in the bushes. Hitting
one of these could result in highsiding and falling down steep hillsides.
It may be difficult or impossible to retrieve the bike. Riders should
be realistic about their abilities, have lightweight bikes and be
in good physical condition. Wear good gear, right for the weather.
Even the weather can be exteme. Read up on the trails, plan a route
and be realistic.
The riding season
starts in late summer
Many of the trails are
in high elevation areas and the snow is slow to melt out until late
summer. Even the basic loop around Blue Lake is not open by the
July 4th weekend. It is common to encounter fallen trees at
any time, even after the trails have been cleared out by trail crews
and volunteers. The trails are challenging and very scenic. If you
are going to visit the Forest and ride the trails, study the following
guide carefully and choose the right trails for your group's riding
ability.
License and equipment
required : Motorized users (motorcycles and ATVs) need
to meet the requirements of Washington State Law and Forest Service
regulations. State law requires current ORV stickers (issued
by the Department of Motorized Vehicles). Forest Service
regulations require approved spark arresters. Motorized users
must stay on designated trails.
You must be "street legal" to ride the roads.
Motorcyclists using Forest
Service roads must have a current state license and operator's license,
wear a helmet and the motorcycle must have a headlight, tail light,
brake light, horn, and left and right side mirrors. Forest
Service regulations state motorcycles must be equipped with turn
signals. Each turn signal must be at least 3.5 square inches, front
signals must be mounted at least 16 inches apart and the back blinkers
must be mounted at least 4 inches, edge to edge from the back light.
Red reflectors must be mounted pointing to the rear, red reflectors
mounted at the rear pointing to both sides and amber reflectors
mounted towards the front pointing to both sides.
A three- or four-wheeled
ATV cannot be made "street legal" according to Washington
State law.
ATV Trails on
the Forest: Blue
Lake Ridge Trail, Valley
Trail, Middle
Trail, Service
Trail.
Additional information;
Call Tom Savage, 360-891-5176 or email; tsavage@fs.fed.us
Volunteer trail
work:
The Forest has two current
ORV trail maintenance grants with the State of Washington, RCO (Recreation
& Conservation Office). Part of the aggreement is that volunteers
will do some of the work. You can help by volunteering.
Upcoming work parties;
Trail 80, July 12th, depart from trailhead at 8:00am. No saws needed,
just a strong back to roll pieces of logs off the trail. Bring tread
tools if you have them. Some will be provided. RSVP to tsavage@fs.fed.us
Volunteers can sign up
ahead of time by reading the Job
hazard Analysis description and sending an e-mail to; tsavage@fs.fed.us.
State that you have read the analysis and wish to volunteer. |