Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Crooked River National Grassland

Recreation Report

Winter Recreation - Trails Report

Deschutes National Forest Snopark Table 4/21/09

Check the weather forecast at: www.wrh.noaa.gov/total forecast

Kapka Butte Snopark Project

Winter Trails Short Report - 4/29/09

Cold fronts over the past 2-3 days have brought a variety of precipitation to the Deschutes National Forest Trails. 1-6" of new snow covered most of the Forest's trails with the lower and mid elevation new snow melting off for the most part. The snow is a pleasant addition to the higher elevation winter trails only improving the yet good spring conditions above the 6,000' elevation. Looks like a quick turnaround over the next several days with the snow level bouncing around to just above/below 7,000' with chance of rain, snow level lowering a bit on Sunday before rising again early next week. Chance of rain and/or snow showers (depending on elevation) sticking around for most of the Deschutes at least into next week. The precip is a good thing as our lower elevations have been experiencing a dry spring so far. Let it rain/snow!

Effects of the recent precipitation on the trails have been mixed. Lower elevation trails have had time to set up from the winter freeze up/thaw so for the most part the recent moisture shouldn't increase the mud factor for long. The trails that are nearest the snow line and just thawing out are more susceptable to mudding up and early use damage to the trail tread. Please avoid those trails nearest the snow line to allow for some drying and setting up time. Your patience is appreciated by trail maintenance crews (employees and volunteers alike), and will pay off in healthier trail tread thru the summer trail season.

Winter Trails:

• Dutchman Sno-Park is your best bet for winter trail access. Trails in the area are reported as getting rough. Report of decent snowmobile access out of Wanoga Sno-Park came in earlier in the week, but expect snow/trail conditions out of there to decline substantially by next week. Might find fair snow conditions out of Swampy for the short term, but that too will be poor conditions by next week. All other Sno-park access is finished for the season.

• Elk Lake Resort is closed for the winter season
  Snow plowing is occuring north of Elk Resort and snowmobile travel south of Devils Lk is not recommended.

• Crescent and Sisters Ranger District snow park access is nonexistent. The gate above Upper Three Creek Sno-park on Road 16 may be opening in the next week. When is does, expect snow to be blocking the road further up.

Summer Trails:

• Deschutes River Trails are in good condition

• Phils Trailhead area trails are improving with each day; COTA volunteers have been quite busy with trail maintenance.

• Tumalo Falls Trailhead is open and the trails have started to show some bare ground, but for the most part are snow covered.

• The lower 3 miles of Peter Skene Ogden Trail along Paulina Creek has been cleared of blowdown. Expect snow and blowdown above that point.

• All Newberry Crater Trails are snowed in. No update on when Road 21 into the Crater will open. Latest report is there is still 2-4' of snow in the Crater area.

• Horse Butte area trails are in good condition with light blowdown reported.
  All Deschutes National Forest Wilderness trail access is yet blocked by snow along with trailheads and access roads to most trailheads. Road access to Pole Creek Trailhead is reported as blocked by snow 2-3 miles before the trailhead.

• Black Butte Trailhead access is reported snow free. Expect snow on the Butte's north aspect trail.
  Volunteer trail clearing projects have begun on the Metolius Windigo Trail out of Sheep Springs Horse Camp on the Sisters Ranger District.

• Suttle Lake Trail has been cleared of blowdown.

• Peterson Ridge Trails are improving and being worked on by local volunteers.
  Crescent Ranger District trails are just being to free up from winter snows.

• Reminder that the registration DEADLINE is May 1 for the Allingham Trail Work Skills Workshops and Crosscut and Chain Saw certification and recertification classes to be held May 29-31. PLEASE urge any you know who wish to attend to meet that deadline. Thanks.

• Reminder, CPR, Chainsaw, and Crosscut saw recertifications are required annually for those who wish to use those tools on Forest Service trails.

• Here is the link to information and registration.
  

• News release information on Lava Lands Visitor Center and Lava River Caves openings

Next trail condition update will be out week of May 11.

Deschutes National Forest Sno-Park Conditions - April 21, 2009

All sno-parks (except Skyliner and Hwy 242) are plowed with State funds and require a Sno-Park Permit

Special area restrictions or notations:

• 1 = Area/trails closed to dogs except working dogs in harness on groomed snowmobile trails and only with a permit
• 2 = Area/trails closed to motorized use
• 3 = Vehicles with trailers limited to 40’ overall length
• 4 = High to extreme use with special area/trail restrictions, see sno-park information board and area signing for full details. Very limited parking,try to avoid on weekends and holidays.

Loss of snow pack and blowdown:

• Be aware that low snow hazards are again a likelyhood for many locations and trails; until the snow pack begins to rebuild again. Recent high winds have also taken their toll along some trails, winter and summer. Hundreds of trees have been reported recently across many of the Deschutes NF trails. Many but not all of these trees will be cleared this winter. Most will be cleared by volunteers and during grooming of various winter trails.Snowshoe

Trails on Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District: (VIEW MAP)

• Trails that have been well groomed may be smooth and fast, but keep your speed in check as your stopping distance and ability to turn or stop on hard pack or icy trails will be negatively affected. Many of today's snowmobiles are engineered with high performance and speed in mind. They are lightweight, powerful and responsive motor vehicles and should be treated as such, especially by beginners. Go slow!

• Remember, things like trees, rocks, signs, etc. are fixed objects and are unlikely to move out of your way. Most of the recent accidents have been encounters between snowmobilers and one or multible of these objects. Again, whether on or off trail watch your speed and ride well within your limits and adjust for the unexpected.

• Watch for unexpected hazards such as: rocks, buried logs, holes in the snow, creeks and other water hazards, buried sign posts and gates, cliffs, icy slopes, other snowmobilers or traffic off and on the trails that may be on the wrong side of the trail, etc. Whether you're going 25 or 75 mph, bad things can happen fast.

• Always wear a certified snowmobile helmet! You don't have airbags or a seat belt to protect you. Becoming airbourne, head first, from hitting a fixed object is a real possibility and a helmet can provide life saving protection.

• Always ride within your own abilities and comfort zone. If you are uncomfortable with terrain, speeds, snow conditions, etc. be sure to tell others in your group. More advanced riders of the group should always take into consideration the least experienced riders skill levels when planning a trip.

Snowshoers - Avoid overextending yourself when on any trip. Remember, you have to consider your energy reserves to get back to your car.

All users - Go prepared with the "Ten essentials" . Even if you're out for a short 2-3 hour tour, consider what you might need should you become injured or lost. Try lying down in snow for 1-3 hours, only with what you're wearing at the time. Are you getting cold just thinking about it? A common factor with injured winter recreationists is: YOU HAVE A GOOD POSSIBILITY OF HYPOTHERMIA while waiting for help to arrive if you don't have extra clothing. Hypothermia further complicates any injuries a person may have from an accident and could even become more life threatening than the injuries themselves. File a "flight plan". Leave word with a reliable friend or family member on your LOCATION, DURATION, RETURN.

• Avalanche potential increases with rapid snowfall and changing temperatures, and the avalanche hazard can escalate in a short time. Backcountry users venturing into avalanche terrain should be knowledgeable in recognizing potential avalanche conditions and act accordingly. Backcountry travelers are strongly urged to perform snow pack assessment and stability tests and continue to make safe route selections. Be responsible for you and your party’s safety.

• Backcountry travelers should be aware that their safety and that of others in their party falls upon each individual within that group. Before traveling thru potential avalanche terrain, have at a minimum the ability to recognize avalanche terrain, suspect slopes and avoid them if there is any doubt as to their stability. Remember there are avalanche safe areas in the mountains during all levels of avalanche danger.

• For more information on avalanche conditions in the Northwest check out the Northwest Avalanche Center and avalanche forecasts for the area Mt. Hood and north into Washington State go to: http://www.nwac.us/ Additionally, there are numerous websites and publications on avalanche information and education thru the internet. So far, the '08-09 winter season for avalanche fatalities is looking grim in North America.

Road closures are now in effect through April for most roads around Wanoga, Meissner, Swampy Lakes, Vista Butte, and Edison Sno-Parks. These roads become snowmobile and ski trails this time of year and use of hwy vehicles on them causes rutting that is hazardous to winter trail users. Many other Deschutes National Forest Roads become winter trails, some which are closed by gates and/or signing and others not. Please avoid driving on any of these snow covered roads designated as ski or snowmobile trails.

When venturing out for a winter ski, snowmobile, snowshoe, hiking or other winter tour, whether for an hour or multible day; remember to file an accurate "FLIGHT PLAN" including:

• LOCATION - DURATION - RETURN
• Inform a reliable/responsible family member or friend of the area, trails, sno-park etc. you plan to visit. Leave a map with them if possible.
  Give a time you plan to return. Instruct family or friend on when to call 911 and search and rescue authorities should you not return as scheduled. Preferably well before nightfall as darkness during the winter seriously hampers searchers.
  Inform that individual (s) as soon as you return. This is every bit as important as location/duration.
• Also, depending on where and the conditions you are going in, GO PREPARED TO POSSIBLY SPEND ONE OR MORE NIGHTS OUT. Pack to survive should you get lost, be delayed by weather,deep snow or darkness, be injured, etc.! We'll cover more details on what to take and how to survive in future reports.

Trail Conditions Report Tables - Summer trails, will be updated in the spring of 2009

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

Deschutes National Forest's Trail Conditions Table

The information included in this table is an estimate of various trail conditions including clearing of blowdown (trees across trails) and snow conditions. As snow levels can change rapidly and some trails cleared by unknown volunteers this information may not fully reflect conditions on the ground but it should be a close estimate.

Some clarification on a few of the columns:

• Primary use - This indicates the type of use the trail was design and maintained for. While other uses are typically allowed, in some cases ie. Wilderness or Municipal Watersheds, some uses may be prohibited. Also in cases where a trail is designed/maintained primarily for bikers (for example), horse use may not be compatible with the expectations of most horse users on such a trail. The trail may be narrower, twisty, and have special biker features not of interest to equestrians. It may also be a very popular bike trail and horse traffic may not be expected by most bikers creating potential conflicts and safety issues. Likewise, some "Primary" horse trails may have heavy horse use and unappealing to bikers.

• Maint Priority - This indicates a maintenance rating applied to the trail. The rating may be based on popularity of the trail or its connectivity to other high use trails. Typically we try to maintain priority 1 trails before 2-5 trails, but depending on volunteer interest and Forest Service crew scheduling and snow access, some lower priority trails may be maintained first. We apologize if we are unable to maintain all rails within a given maintenance season due to staff limitations.

• % Logged Out - Indicates if maintenace has begun on a trail and how much clearing has been accomplished. If we know the degree of blowdown on a trail, we'll try to note that under "Comments".

• Est. % Snow Covered - Indicates approx. snow covering or blocking a trail. "Patchy" indicates there may be less than 10% snow coverage on the trail and that it may be passable but with some degree of difficulty.

• Comments - Notes on restrictions, special closures, where to go for further information, etc.

Bend Fort Rock Trail Conditions Table

Crescent Trail Conditions Table

Sisters Trail Conditions Table

Your National Forest Needs You!

Do you love the forest? Do you want to offer your skills and enthusiasm in service? The High Cascade Forest Volunteers sure hope so because the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests are seeking help monitoring and maintaining the wilderness areas and trails of the Cascade Mountains . Come alone, or bring your friends and family, and have some fun being a part of your National Forest. Volunteers are needed for a whole range of activities; some tasks are more strenuous, but there is plenty available for everyone’s interest. Tools and equipment will be provided. Horses or llamas will help carry in camping equipment for some of the organized summer projects.

• Clear rocks, brush trails
• Greet wilderness visitors
• Survey trails for winter damage
• Restore overused sites
• Monitor wilderness conditions
• Adopt your favorite lake/trail

In order to be a forest volunteer, we ask that you attend the training weekend scheduled for May 18 th through 20 th at the Westridge School in Oakridge. There is no charge for the weekend and free camping is available. Classes will cover trail maintenance, trail crew leadership, First Aid/CPR certification, x-cut and chain saw re-certification, wilderness stewardship, adopt a trail/lake programs, Compass/GPS, survival tips and more. There will be a dessert get together on Friday night and a delicious BBQ dinner on Saturday. Norm Coyer and Friends will entertain folks with their fabulous music after dinner on Saturday.

For the complete weekend schedule, and to register for the sessions, check the volunteer web page at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/admin/volunteer/index.html. This is a great opportunity to meet other Forest volunteers and Forest Service staff. Come learn new information or brush up on what you already know.

For more information about the National Forest Volunteer Program check out the volunteer web page at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/admin/volunteer/index.html, or contact Judy Mitchell, Willamette Volunteer Coordinator, at 541-225-6319 or jamitchell@fs.fed.us

Have a safe week!