Sweet Home Ranger District ~ Recreation Update

SWEET HOME RANGER DISTRICT RECREATION UPDATE

WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM THE HIKERS AND CAMPERS AND OTHER FOREST VISITORS. IF YOU WANT TO REPORT ON TRAIL OR CAMPGROUND CONDITIONS, OR LET US KNOW HOW YOUR VISIT/EXPERIENCE WAS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL, CALL, OR DROP IN TO THE STATION. IT IS SO GREAT TO HAVE SO MANY OF YOU GIVING US INPUT AND FEEDBACK! THANK YOU!

Conditions cited below are the last known conditions. All of the Sweet Home Ranger District campgrounds are CLOSED for the winter. Instead of listing every campground and trail individually at this time, only those that may have changed recently will be listed. Call Sweet Home Ranger Station at (541)367-5168 for more details.
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January 12,2009

Subject : Quartzville Rd. 11000 000

Reports From the BLM indicate the slide is expected to be cleard within a two week time frame.

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January 8,2009

Subject: Quartzville Rd. 11000 000

Quartzville road is closed at approximately the 15.9 mile marker.This will prevent northern access from Quartzville Rd 1100 000 to Forest Service Roads 1125,1133,and 1131. The slide is located on BLM land.They are in the process of assessing the situation. At this time no date is available as to the removal schedule.


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Date 11-25-2008

Subject: Christmas Tree Permits

We are now selling Christmas tree permits. The permits are $5.00 for one tree. Each household my purchase up to 5 permits.The permits will be issued through December 24th.The office will be closed Thursday Nov.27th, and open on Friday the 28th. Christmas tree permits may also be purchased through two Sweet Home retailers. Midway Grocery 3239 Highway 20.Store hours are M-F 4:00am-8:00pm, Sat.7:00am-8pm and Sunday 8:00am-6pm. Lakeside Grocery and Deli 5401 Highway 20. Open seven days a week 5:00am-10:00pm


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Date 11-25-2008
Subject: Sno Park Permits

You must have a valid Sno-Park permit displayed in the windshield of your vehicle if you park in designated winter recreation parking areas (Sno-Parks) between November 1 and April 30. The Sweet Home Ranger District does not issue these permits.These permits may be purchased the DMV and by permit agents in resorts, sporting goods stores, and other retail outlets.

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Date: 9-12-08
Subject: Status of Canyon Creek Road Closure

Canyon Creek Road (Forest Road 2022) has been cleared and is OPEN!

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Date: 11-20-2008
Subject: CAMP GROUNDS
On this website, under RECREATION, see Trip planning section > South Santiam Travel Corridor > "List" tab, for campground/camping information.
---> Campgrounds are closed

--> Fernview - Sept 15;
--> Lost Prairie - Oct 18;
--> Trout Creek, House Rock, and Yukwah - Sept 30.

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Date: 9-12-08
Subject: TRAILS

As stated earlier, all trails are currently clear and accessible, although there is likely some blow down from recent thunder storms. We did have a few specific trail updates recently:

--> Gordan Peak trail (3387) has been logged out.
--> Swamp Peak trail (3401) - the "non-wild" portion has been logged out.
--> Scar Mountain trail (3402) has been logged out except for a large, perched root wad on a steep sidehill that the trail crew was not comfortable cutting.

In August, we had one email report from a hiker regarding the MCQUADE CREEK TRAIL (3397) which connects with the CHIMNEY PEAK TRAIL (3382), and I have not had any further updates on these. The hiker and several others hiked these trails on August 23rd and said that the "trail condition is pretty good, although there is a lot of blow down (large and small) that would benefit from a trail crew. A couple of particularly large trees were difficult to get over and would be a pretty major challenge for a backpacker. About 3/4 mile above the McQuade Shelter the trail is completely overgrown with salmon berry, making the trail quite difficult to follow," (which apparently kept these hikers from reaching the top of Chimney Peak). "The two main creek crossings were doable but the water is still pretty deep in spots. Plenty of wildflowers. The shelter was only found because prior hikers left a small marker in the trail; signage would be helpful."

Thanks to this hiker for the email report on these trails. It is very much appreciated!

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IT IS HUNTING SEASON ONCE AGAIN, SO BE CAREFUL OUT THERE AND STAY SAFE!!


Again, your input is always appreciated if you are hiking the trails and have current information on the conditions of the trails. Our employees get out to as many places as possible, but they can't be in all places at all times, so your reports are valuable to us and always welcome!

For more information: call 541-367-5168

See our Forest Offices page for hours this office is open.