Deschutes National Forest

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Phebe Florence Gaines
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Deschutes National Forest Winter Trail Access and Conditions Update KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Updated December 19, 2014 Christmas Holiday Report! Backcountry users, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO and go prepared.

This new sno-park is now serving as a higher elevation alternative to Wanoga Sno-Park. Big capacity for big rigs! Dogs Overnight camping permitted.

1 Deschutes National Forest Winter Trail Access and Conditions Update KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Updated December 19, 2014 Christmas Holiday Report! Backcountry users, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO and go prepared. Unsettled weather, rain on snow, increasing avalanche danger and water/slush hazards likely. New Kapka Butte Sno-Park currently has snow and is plowed. This new sno-park is now serving as a higher elevation alternative to Wanoga Sno-Park. Big capacity for big rigs! Dogs Overnight camping permitted. Winter Trail Highlights Weather forecast calling for moderate snow high saturday then moderate to heavy rain at most elevations across the Deschutes. Watch for high water! Holiday break is here and expect high to extreme use at snow parks with adequate snow. Low elevation summer trails may also see high use. Summer trails are snow free-50 snow depth. Some trails have become soft, soggy snow to muddy with freeze/thaw temperatures and rain. Most Deschutes snow parks do not have adequate snow. Dutchman Flat on 12/18 had snow depth; Kapka 10-12, Swampy 8-10, Meissner and Wanoga Snow Pks, 3-6, Three Ck, 10 Mile and Crescent are patchy to bare. Currently, 75% of the approx. 600 winter snow pole signs are in place in the Dutchman Flat to Moon Mt. area. Seasonal closures of Hwy 46, Hwy 242, Road 21, 370 Road and Road 16 to Three Creek Lk are now in effect for the winter season. Additional road closures in effect starting Dec. 1. Watch weather forecasts closely. Go prepared with your Ten Essential Systems: Navigation (map and compass) Sun protection (sunglasses/sunscreen) Insulation (extra clothing) Illumination (headlamp/flashlight) First-aid supplies Fire(waterproofmatches/lighter/candles) Repair kit and tools Nutrition (extra food) Hydration (extra water) Emergency shelter

GENERAL SNOW, WINTER TRAIL CONDITIONS ON DECEMBER 19: Wanoga Snow Play Hill currently has 6 snow depth and not recommended. Slope needs a minimum of 16-20 snow depth to begin the sledding season.

2 GENERAL SNOW, WINTER TRAIL CONDITIONS ON DECEMBER 19: Wanoga Snow Play Hill currently has 6 snow depth and not recommended. Slope needs a minimum of snow depth to begin the sledding season. Know before you go! Currently, snow conditions at most Deschutes National Forest snow parks are inadequate for winter trail use. Dutchman Sno-Park currently has fair-good snow conditions but early season conditions exist. Vista Butte, Swampy Lakes and the new Kapka Butte Sno-Parks have fair snow conditions. Edison, Wanoga snowmobile, Wanoga Snow Play, Meissner, Skyliner, Three Creeks, Ten and Six Mile and Crescent Sno-Parks vary from bare ground to patchy or maybe 6-8. EARLY SEASON/LOW SNOW HAZARDS EXIST ON AND OFF TRAILS in those areas with snow access! Snow depths/conditions can vary day to day and we attempt to provide weekly updates on snow conditions and access into the winter season. Weekend forecast indicates light to moderate snow above 4,000 on Friday/Saturday then turning to moderate to heavy rain at times for many locations up to and above 7,000 on Saturday night and into Sunday/Monday. This will likely make for very poor snow conditions beginning Sunday with very water saturated snow pack increasing avalanche danger and creating very hazardous water/slush hazards in low basins and drainages. High winds are also in the forecast for this period of unsettle weather.

Be aware that strong/fast moving fall and

3 Be aware that strong/fast moving fall and winter storms can change conditions very quickly. Reports of moderate blowdown across trails with limited clear on winter trails in progress. Check weather forecasts closely and go prepared! Water/slush and down trees are just a few of the hazards on and off trail users may encounter during the winter season.

Meissner Nordic Club volunteers will continue over the coming weeks to add signing and a

4 The new Meissner Sno-Park warming shelter is now open and provides a warm and dry place to get out of the cold and meet with fellow skiers/shoers and have lunch. Meissner Nordic Club volunteers will continue over the coming weeks to add signing and a few finishing touches. Currently, BYOS, bring your own snow! 3-4 snow depth at Meissner Sno-PK on 12/18.

The new sno-park is only 3 miles east of Dutchman on Road 45 and will provide good snow conditions and access for

5 A Central Oregon Interagency youth crew installing adjustable bulletin board supports for the new Kapka Butte Sno-Park, now open for the winter season. The new sno-park is only 3 miles east of Dutchman on Road 45 and will provide good snow conditions and access for snowmobiling hundreds of miles of connecting snowmobile trails along with parking for skiers and snowshoers. Kapka is open to dogs and overnight camping and recommended for larger vehicles with trailers.

6 Over 600 winter signs and trail marking snow poles are installed each winter season in the Dutchman Flat, Tumalo Mt. and Moon Mt area. These poled signs provide trail safety and designate legal boundaries. Approx. 75% of the sign poles are in place and remainder scheduled to be installed with adequate snow. Snow Park Conditions Table coding: Special area restrictions or notations relating to the table below are as follows: 1 = Area/trails closed to dogs except working dogs in harness on groomed snowmobile trails and only with a permit 2 = Area open to dogs 3 = Area/trails closed to motorized use 4 = Vehicles with trailers limited to 40 overall length 5 = High to extreme use with special area/trail restrictions, see sno-park information board, trail maps and area signing for full details. Very limited parking, try to avoid on weekends and holidays. All sno-parks (except Skyliner and Hwy 242) are plowed with State funds and require a Sno-Park Permit

7 SNO-PARK NAME Designated trails or activities with numerical notations explained above Meissner 1 Ski/snowshoe Wanoga Snow Play,2 3 Tubing/sledding Groomed ski/dog trails Wanoga Snowmobile 2 Snowmobiling Swampy 1 3 Ski/snowshoe Vista Butte 1 3 Ski/snowshoe Dutchman Ski/shoe/snowmobiling Kapka Butte (new) 2 Snowmobiling/ski/shoe Edison 2 Ski/shoe/snowmobiling Skyliner 2 Ski/snowshoe Six Mile 2 Snowmobiling Ten Mile 2 Snowmobile/ski/shoe Lower Three Creek 2 Snowmobile/Ski Upper Three Creek 2 Snowmobile/ski/shoe Deschutes National Forest Snow Park Conditions Table Updated December 19, 2014 Snow conditions: Inadequate snow conditions for most Snow Parks and winter trails. Forecast for moderate to heavy rains at time in coming days. LOCATION Hwy or Road and milepost PARK ELEV. APPROX. SNOW DEPTH TOTAL SNOW CONDITIONS AND SPECIAL COMMENTS (Conditions subject to change without notice and at the whim of Nature) HWY 46, MP 14 5, Inadequate snow conditions! Area roads closed to hwy vehicles Dec. 1 - April 1 HWY 46, MP 15 5,400 6 Inadequate snow conditions. Wear helmets! Sledding hill closed to snowmobiles. HWY 46, MP 15 5, Inadequate snow conditions! Area roads closed to hwy vehicles Dec. 1 - April 1 HWY 46, MP 16 5, Marginal to fair snow conditions! Area roads closed to hwy vehicles Dec. 1 - April 1 HWY 46, MP 18 5, Fair snow conditions, a number of trees on trails. Area north of parking closed to snowmobiles, use Kapka Butte or Wanoga. HWY 46, MP 22 6, Fair-good snow for non-motorized. Fairl for winter motorized. Low snow hazards exist on/off trails. 75% of winter signing in place. Limited parking/no overnight camping. 40 max length limit for vehicle/trailer combination. Expect heavy use! ¼ mi. s. of Hwy 46, 5, Fair snow conditions, snow park is open. Low on Road 45 4 mi. s. of Hwy 46 on Road 45 snow hazards exits. Infrequent grooming. 5,000 Patchy 4 Inadequate snow conditions. Heavy beetle killed lodgepole in area, high number of trees on trails. Area roads closed to hwy vehicles Dec. 1 Skyliner Rd MP 9 4,700 No Snow Inadequate snow conditions. Gate/road to Tumalo Falls closed for the winter season. Road 21, MP 6 4,400 No Snow Inadequate snow. Road 21 beyond Ten Mile East of Hwy 97 closed to vehicles for winter season. Road 21, MP 10 5,560 1 Inadequate snow. Road 21 beyond Ten Mile East of Hwy 97 closed to vehicles for winter season. Road 16, MP 8 4,400 No snow Inadequate snow. Sno-park not plowed. Road 16, MP 11 5,250 Patchy Inadequate snow depth. Road 16, closed for the winter season. Three Creek nordic trails reopen this winter, currently limited diamonds and signs marking winter trails due to Pole Creek Fire. Hwy 242 (Mckenzie Pass)2Snomo/ski/shoe Crescent Junction 2 Snowmobiling Crescent Lake 2 Snowmobiling/BC (no ski/snowshoe trails) Hwy 242, MP 7 from Sisters Hwy 58/Road 60 MP 1/2 Hwy 58/Road 60 MP 2 3,800 Patchy Inadequate snow. Hwy closed to summer access. Parking area may not be plowed. 4,750 No Snow Inadequate snow depth. 4,700 No Snow Inadequate snow depth

Trail volunteer assisting with trail clearing of down trees on the Edison winter trail system.

WINTER MAP DOWNLOADS ON iphone, ANDROID OR TABLET: Using the GPS in your phone the PDF Maps app

downloaded. You will need the PDF maps app on your iphone or Android to use this function.

8 Trail volunteer assisting with trail clearing of down trees on the Edison winter trail system. Due to strong fall storms, expect to find new down trees on local trails. WINTER MAP DOWNLOADS ON iphone, ANDROID OR TABLET: Using the GPS in your phone the PDF Maps app works on your iphone or Android smart phone or tablet to show your location on a map you have downloaded. You will need the PDF maps app on your iphone or Android to use this function. If you do not already have the PDF Maps app you will need to download this free app. Dutchman Ski and Snowshoe Map Swampy Ski and Snowshoe Map

9 Meissner Ski and Snowshoe Map Edison Ski and Snowshoe Map Vista Butte Ski and Snowshoe Map Skyliner/Tumalo Falls Ski and Snowshoe Map SPECIAL TRAIL EVENTS EFFECTING TRAIL USE: For December there are no special events that will affect trail use. Winter trail events are being scheduled and will be listed in future reports. GENERAL SUMMER TRAIL CONDITIONS AS OF DECEMBER 19: Currently bare to 50 of snow covers various Deschutes National Forest summer trails with most mid-upper elevation summer trails inaccessible due to snow. Many of the currently snow free are in various states of soft to muddy tread conditions during free/thaw cycles or wet conditions. Please avoid using muddy trails as this causes erosion and tread damage. Summer trail conditions reporting will focus on those summer trails that continue to have reasonable access.

10 DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST SUMMER TRAILHEADS/TRAILS: Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District summer trails/access: Fall seasonal note: Seasonal closures of summer trails is occurring as snow accumulates and along with it, seasonal road closures! Seasonal closures are subject to little or no notice. Fall blowdown is on the increase. Watch weather closely! Phils TH area trails snow free to patchy snow, soft to muddy trails possible with access to higher elevation trails limited due to snow. For more information on COTA, who they are, what they do and how you can help, go to: Tumalo Falls Trailhead area trails patchy snow, soft to muddy trails possible with access to higher elevation trails limited due to snow. Road gate to Tumalo Falls is closed for the winter season. Road becomes a ski and snowshoe trail with adequate snow. Deschutes River Trailheads/Trails area trails soft to muddy trails and patchy snow possible from Entrada to Sunriver and on to Lava Lands. Access to higher elevation trails may become limited due to snow. Road access in the near future will become more marginal as winter snow accumulates. Tumalo Creek 2 Trail patchy-snow Wanoga Mt. Bike Trails Patchy-8 and blowdown. Swampy Lake Trails 6-12 snow, winter trail season has begun. Tumalo Mt snow, winter trail season has begun! Todd Lake Trailhead Road access blocked by gates and snow. Winter trail season has begun! Todd Creek Horse Camp Closed for the season due to snow and Hwy 46 gates closed. Sparks Lake Trailhead Closed for the season due to snow and Hwy 46 gates closed. Ray Atkison Trailhead and Sparks Lake boat ramp Closed for the season due to snow and Hwy 46 gates closed. Green Lakes/Soda Creek Trailhead Closed for the season due to snow and Hwy 46 gates closed.

11 Devils Lake/South Sister Trailhead Closed for the season due to snow and Hwy 46 gates closed. Quinn Meadow Horse Camp area trails Closed for the season due to snow and Hwy 46 gates closed. Metolius-Windigo Trail patchy-20 snow. Winter trail season has begun!. New down trees are to be expected. No further updates until Spring Cultus Lake and Winopee Lk TH Area trails and trailheads inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Lemish Lake TH Area trails and trailheads inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Charlton Lake TH Area trails and trailheads inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Osprey Point TH Area trails and trailheads inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Fall River Trail Area trails and trailheads becoming inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Moderate recent blowdown reported on some trails. South/North Twin Lakes area trails Area trails and trailheads becoming inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Horse Butte to Swamp Wells area trails Currently good tread conditions, subject to soft to muddy trail conditions with rain, freeze/thaw and snow. Newberry Caldera trails Road 21 into Newberry Caldera with access to most Monument trails is closed for the winter season. Gate beyond Ten Mile Snow Park is closed inches of snow above 6,000. Peter Skene Ogden Trail 0-6 of snow. Likely muddy if not snow covered. Road 21 into Newberry Caldera with access to most Monument trails is closed for the winter season. Gate beyond Ten Mile Snow Park is closed. Several inches of snow likely above 6,000. Lava Cast Forest Trailhead Patchy snow. Road access will become blocked by snow without notice.

12 Hoffman Island Trailhead Patchy snow. Road access will become blocked by snow without notice. Pacific Crest Trail Area trails and trailheads inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. PCT is currently under of snow. Wilderness Trails Most local Wilderness trails are now inaccessible due to snow and/or seasonal closures of access roads. Over the coming weeks all Deschutes National Forest Wilderness trails will become inaccessible due to snow. With current snow conditions changing daily, there will be no further reporting on Wilderness trails until Spring Get the skis and snowshoes ready! Sisters Ranger District summer trails/access: Black Butte Trail currently under patchy snow and will increasingly become inaccessible due to snow. Metolius River Trails Patchy snow possible. Be aware of soft to muddy sections and avoid muddy trails. Suttle Lake Trail Area trails and trailheads becoming inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Lake Creek Trail Area trails and trailheads becoming inaccessible due to snow. Peterson Ridge Trails Area trails and trailheads patchy snow higher up and will become inaccessible as winter progresses. May currently have muddy sections. Metolius-Windigo Trail - SEE DETAILS IN BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE! Horse trails out of Sheep Springs Horse Camp Patchy snow. Area trails and trailheads inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Head of Jack Creek Trail Patchy snow. Area trails and trailheads inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Moderate recent blowdown reported on some trails. PCT SEE DETAILS UNDER BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE! Wilderness Trails Most local Wilderness trails are now inaccessible due to snow and/or seasonal closures of access roads. Over the coming weeks all Deschutes National Forest Wilderness trails will become inaccessible due to snow. With current snow conditions

13 changing daily, there will be no further reporting on Wilderness trails until Spring Get the skis and snowshoes ready! Crescent Ranger District summer trails/access: PCT SEE DETAILS IN BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE! Oldenberg Trail Area trails and trailheads becoming inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Summit Lk Trail Area trails and trailheads inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Meek Lk Trail Area trails and trailheads inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Windy Lakes Trail Area trails and trailheads inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Windigo Pass Area trails and trailheads inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Whitefish Horse Camp - Area trails and trailheads becoming inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Pretty Lk/Fawn Lake Trails Area trails and trailheads becoming inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Metolius-Windigo Trail - SEE DETAILS IN BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE! Maiden Peak Area trails and trailheads inaccessible due to snow and/or road closures. Wilderness Trails Most local Wilderness trails are now inaccessible due to snow and/or seasonal closures of access roads. Over the coming weeks all Deschutes National Forest Wilderness trails will become inaccessible due to snow. With current snow conditions changing daily, there will be no further reporting on Wilderness trails until Spring Get the skis and snowshoes ready!

14 LEAVE NO TRACE REMINDER: PLEASE, PRACTICE THE SEVEN LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPALS: Plan Ahead and Prepare Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Dispose of Waste Properly See photo and information below on wrong disposal and effects! Leave What You Find Minimize Campfire Impacts Respect Wildlife Be Considerate of Other Visitors For details on the 7 LNT Principals: SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURES/OPENINGS: Hwy 46 Road 370 Tumalo Falls Road Road 21 Hwy 242 Road 16 Road 60 CLOSED from Dutchman Flat to Road 4270 at Deschutes Bridge. CLOSED from Hwy 46 to Road 16 near Three Creek Lks. CLOSED, becomes a ski and snowshoe trail with adequate snow. CLOSED from Ten Mile Sno-Park to east end of Newberry Caldera; Road to Paulina Peak closed for the season. Mckenzie Pass, CLOSED for winter season. Road CLOSED from Upper Three Creek Sno-Park to Three Creek Lakes for the winter season. Will close with little to no notice for the winter season when snow conditions warrant. TEN ESSENTIAL SYSTEMS: What are The Ten Essentials? The Ten Essentials are items The Mountaineers recommends everyone carry on all trips. The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful place that can be wild and unpredictable. Being prepared for anything is essential. This is as important on short, local trips as it is on long, backcountry trips. It is easy to forget first aid kits and warm layers short trips, but a short trip can quickly turn to a long trip if you get lost or injured.

15 The Ten Essentials started as a list of ten simple items and is now a systems approach that guides you in preparing for any trip in any season. The two basic questions are: (1) Can you respond positively to an accident or emergency? (2) Can you safely spend a night or more out? Here is a list of The Ten Essential Systems: 1. Navigation (map & compass) 2. Sun Protection (sun glasses, sun screen, lip balm) 3. Insulation (extra clothing) 4. Illumination (flashlight or headlamp, spare bulb & batteries) 5. First-Aid Supplies (gauze, tape, etc.) 6. Fire (fire starter, matches, lighter) 7. Repair Kit (knife, duct tape, tools, spare parts) 8. Nutrition (extra food) 9. Hydration (extra water, water purification) 10. Emergency Shelter (tarp, garbage bag) Further details on the Ten Essential Systems : ten%20essentials S p &cm_mmc=ps_goog le_ch-_-category%20-%20camp%2fhike-_-camping%2fhiking_generalterms_essentials-_- ten%20essentials&gclid=cnq_h8xbsq4cfqn8hwodyhh-pq SPECIAL SAFETY NOTES: Go prepared for changeable weather conditions. Fall to winter season conditions exist! Be sure to go prepared with plenty of warm clothing, water, and food as well as other emergency essentials. For further Deschutes National Forest winter or summer trails information, please call: Deschutes National Forest Headquarters: (541) Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District: (541) Sisters Ranger District: (541) Crescent Ranger District: (541) WE VE MOVED! The Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District Office and the Deschutes National Forest Supervisor s Office have moved into one office complex in the northeast part of Bend. New address: Deschutes Market Road, Bend. Find this weekly trail access and condition report in the Deschutes National Forest Website at:

Fat biking is the newest winter user group to share the trails. What are some basic equipment guidelines for a fat bike that will be primarily ridden on snow? 1.

4. Sufficient traction that you are able to safely control your bike and ride in a straight line.

16 Fat biking is the newest winter user group to share the trails. What are some basic equipment guidelines for a fat bike that will be primarily ridden on snow? 1. Wide tires deep snow coverage may require tires wider than 3.5 inches. 2. Tire pressure will often be less than 10 PSI. 3. Enough floatation that you can travel over snow without leaving a rut deeper than one inch. 4. Sufficient traction that you are able to safely control your bike and ride in a straight line. Best Practices for Fat Biking on Groomed Nordic Trails Only ride at ski areas that allow and encourage biking. Biking on Meissner groomed nordic trails is not encouraged. Yield to all other users when riding. Skiers don't have brakes but you do! Ride on the firmest part of the track. Do not ride on or in the classic tracks. Leave room for skiers to pass (don't ride side-by-side with all of your buddies blocking the full trail). Allow the track time to set up after grooming and before riding. Some areas require riding only a purpose-built fat bike, not any old mountain bike. There may be a minimum tire tread width. Be an ambassador for the sport: stay polite, educate other riders, discourage bad behavior and follow the rules. Help out and get involved by joining your local nordic club. Consider donating money for trail grooming.

Best Practices for Fat Bike Riding on Snowmobile Trails When riding on snowmobile trails, use a front white blinker and rear red blinker at all times.

17 Best Practices for Fat Bike Riding on Snowmobile Trails When riding on snowmobile trails, use a front white blinker and rear red blinker at all times. Wear reflective material on both the front and rear of your body. Stay to the far right of the trail and yield to snowmobiles. Know and obey the rules of your local land manager. Understand that some trails may be on private property and might not be open to alternative uses. Be prepared. Winter travel in the backcountry requires carrying proper gear and dressing properly. Be self-sufficient! Use extreme caution when riding at night. Be visible and use the brightest lights you can find. Be friendly! Fat bikers are the newest trail users. Be courteous and open to suggestions from snowmobile riders. Help out by supporting your local snowmobile club. Consider donating to trail grooming and maintenance efforts. Have a safe Winter trails season!

Deschutes National Forest

Deschutes National Forest Fall Trail Access and Conditions Update Updated November 25, 2014 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Cascade Lakes Hwy closed beyond Mt. Bachelor for the winter season. Closed hwy section now