News Release
Eightmile Road Temporarily Closed to All Vehicles
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USDA Forest Service
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December 11, 2008
Activity has started on the Flat Earth Timber sale in the Eightmile area of the Methow Valley Ranger District. The timber sale is removing hazardous trees from the campgrounds and improving forest health by thinning trees to reduce the threat from wildland fire.
“For safety reasons, we will need to keep the Eightmile road closed to all vehicles, including snowmobiles while harvest activity is occurring,” said John Newcom, Methow Valley District Ranger. “The road will be re-opened to snowmobiling as soon as possible from a safety standpoint.”
To continue allowing groomed loop opportunities for snowmobiles in the area, an interim route will follow the First Creek Road out of Cub Creek then connect to the Sherwood Forest snowmobile route ( Forest Road 5130-100) near Buck Lake . The Sherwood Forest trail and the Cub Creek road will be groomed.
Cub Creek road, ( Forest Road 5200) is a groomed snowmobile route. The first mile also serves as the Cougar Bait cross country ski route. Winter recreation enthusiasts using this route should expect to encounter snowmobilers and skiers.
“This area has been successfully shared by cross country skiers and snowmobilers for many years,” said Newcom. “This is a workable short term solution that provides a loop route for snowmobilers out of the Goat Creek Snowpark while work is being done on the Flat Earth Timber Sale.”
Maps of the interim route are available at the Methow Valley Ranger District Office and will be posted at the snowparks. For more information about the Flat Earth Timber Sale please contact the District at 509-996-4000.
