Deschutes National Forest
Summer Trail Access and Conditions Update KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Updated July 13, 2013 Summer Trail Highlights Summer weather, high summer/holiday use at many recreation sites and trails. Remaining snow limited to South Sister, Broken Top, Road 370 and a few patches on trails and the volcanoes above 6,000’ along the Crest. Reports of heavy blowdown (50+ trees/mile) on some trails. Wilderness Permits required. Broken Top TH and 370 Road from Todd Lake to Road 4601 are blocked by
snow and closed until determined safe.
June 29 photo from Broken Top. Nearly all Wilderness Tumalo Falls road open to vehicle trails are snow free with a few patches likely remaining traffic. North Fork Trail is cleared of along the PCT and on climber trails and routes up the blow down; open to bikers uphill only. volcano peaks. 16 Road and Three Creek Lakes are open and snow free. Tumalo Mt. Trail may yet have a patch or two of snow but very passible. Green Lks/Moraine Lks Trails are snow free with light blowdown. PCT has patchy snow above 6,000’ with some trail clearing in progress. Mosquito populations are highly variable with some backcountry lakes and riparian areas at high levels. Go prepared with your Ten Essential Systems: Navigation (map and compass) Sun protection (sunglasses/sunscreen) Ongoing Suttle Lake trail project with Deschutes NF Trail Insulation (extra clothing) Crew constructing one of many rock retaining walls. For Illumination (headlamp/flashlight) Your safety, please use caution and leash dogs when First-aid supplies approaching trail crews working the various trails on the Fire(waterproofmatches/lighter/candles) Deschutes. Repair kit and tools Nutrition (extra food) Hydration (extra water) Emergency shelter
GENERAL SUMMER TRAIL CONDITIONS AS OF JULY 13:
Increasingly, trail crew members and volunteers are working on summer clearing and maintenance. Expect early summer conditions with down trees on many mid-upper elevation trails and patchy snow on highest elevation trails.
Over the past week temperatures have been warm to hot with continued melting of remaining snow at higher elevations. Forecast for the next week indicates milder but warm temps. Trail use is on the increase so heads up and be ready to share the trails and watch out for each other.
Approximately 99% of the Deschutes National Forest’s summer non-motorized trails are snow free. The remaining 1% are primarily the high elevation Wilderness trails above 6,200’, are near the Cascade crest, should be of minor consequence for most trail users and normally only an occasional short patchy section. Some climbing trails and routes on the volcanoes yet have sectional snow or snow fields to traverse. Those patchy snow affected trails and areas include: Broken Top, Tam Rim, South/Middle/North Sisters, Diamond Peak, Three Finger Jack, Camp Lake, sections of the PCT above 6,200 and climber routes on the volcanoes. Isolated north facing and sun protected, heavily forested areas below 6,200’ may also contain an occasional patch of snow. PCT on the westside (Willamette NF) of Three Sisters likely has patchy snow.
Across the Forest, approximately 60% of those trails to be cleared this year have been cleared. Most lower and mid –elevation (to 5,800’) high use trails have been cleared of blowdown or are in the process of being cleared. This year’s blow down levels vary from light to heavy on trails. Areas hard hit by wildfire and beetle kill.
Trail volunteers and a few trail crew personnel are clearing into the higher elevations areas now that snow is no longer an issue. Do bear in mind that not all trails are cleared each year. Limited trail personnel and volunteers normally focus clearing efforts on higher use trails of the nearly 900 miles of summer non-motorized trails on the Deschutes NF. Trails in areas hard hit by wildfire and beetle kill and involving heavy blowdown (perhaps 50-100 trees/mile) may not be cleared each year; with a few that have become extremely difficult to clear of blowdown and dense brush that are essentially, “put on the back burner” and have become impassible and unsafe to follow.
Except for Broken Top, Crater Ditch, Pole Creek, Scott Pass, Chus Falls, and Millican Crater all Wilderness trail heads are now accessible. Trail clearing within the Deschutes NF Wilderness areas is gaining momentum with 20% of Wilderness trails cleared of blow down for this season. Do expect to find some trails with moderate to heavy downed trees and some even difficult to impossible to get thru.
Wilderness Permits Required
Wilderness permits are required within all Deschutes National Forest Wildernesses. Please be sure to read trailhead information and fill out the free, self-issue permit at the permit station. “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
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
For details on the 7 LNT Principals: http://lnt.org/learn/7-principles
POLE CREEK BURN AREA NOTICE: Hazardous tree conditions exist within the Pole Creek burn area. Use within the Wilderness sections of this burn is restricted to the trails; no cross country travel and no camping until you exit the burn area boundary. 90% of the Wilderness trails within the burn have been cleared of blowdown. Burn area boundaries are posted with maps and signing indicating either entering or leaving the burn area.
Example of area closure map for Pole Creek Burn. Area within the Wilderness area of the burn is closed except for travel limited to the trails; no off trail use or camping permitted.
DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST SUMMER TRAILHEADS/TRAILS:
Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District summer trails/access:
Phils TH area trails are reported in great shape, but the dust factor will vary. COTA (Central Oregon Trail Alliance) volunteers have been busy with trail maintenance and the evidence is on the ground. Heavy use reported on the weekends with parking exceeding capacity. For more information on COTA, who they are, what they do and how you can help, go to: http://cotamtb.com/
Tumalo Falls Trailhead is open for the season. North Fork Trail is snow free and cleared of blow down to Happy Valley. North Fork Trail is uphill only for bikers and now open with return options of Mrazek or nearby roads. Bridge Creek Trail is hiking only, snow free, logged out and closed to bikes, stock animals and dogs, as it passes thru the Bend Municipal Watershed. North Fork Trail is open to hikers, dogs and bikers (uphill only). South Fork trail to Swampy trail system likely has light blowdown and snow free. Flagline Trail, is CLOSED until Aug. 15, for elk calving. Metolius/Windigo Trail in Happy Valley area likely has a few patches to sectional snow with some blowdown.
Deschutes River Trailheads/Trails are in good condition from Entrada to Sunriver and on to Lava Lands. Heavy use on weekends/holidays. Bikers using the primary design “hiker trail”, try to avoid this heavy use primary hiker trail on weekends/holidays and always ride extra cautious; yielding to pedestrians/equestrians. Reminder, there is a primary biker trail that does parallel much of the primary hiker.
The seasonal DOG LEASH regulation along the Deschutes River Corridor is in effect May 15 thru Sept. 15. During this time, due to high use and potential for user conflicts, dogs are required to be on leash when in the corridor between Meadow Picnic and Benham Falls East. This includes all the River trails and recreation sites between these two locations. Dogs are permitted off leash in the river. See below under Wilderness for the July 15 to Sept. 15 seasonal DOG LEASH regulation on high use Wilderness trails around Todd Lake, Broken Top, Green and Moraine Lakes and South Sister.
Tumalo Creek 2 Trail just upstream of Shevlin Park is in good condition, “hiker only”.
Wanoga Mt. Bike Trails are snow free and cleared of blowdown.
Swampy Lake Trails are snow free and trail clearing in progress. Flagline is closed until Aug. 15 for elk calving.
Tumalo Mt. – Trail has patchy snow, good condition. Hiker trail only!
Todd Lake Trailhead Snow free and accessible. Todd Lake trail and basin is snow free but the north end trails are reported muddy to soggy and not recommended until they dry out. Road 370 is blocked by snow and closed to hwy vehicles beyond the trailhead until late July. This includes access to road 380 which provides vehicle access to the Broken Top Trailhead.
Todd Creek Horse Camp – Accessible to the camp and trailhead. Access on the Metolius- Windigo Horse trail southbound to Quinn Meadow is snow free with blowdown likely. Northbound Met/Win from Todd Creek has patchy snow to Happy Valley, not yet cleared.
Sparks Lake Trailhead – TH accessible but blow down likely on trail.
Ray Atkison Trailhead and Sparks Lake boat ramp – Snow free, cleared of blow down.
Green Lakes/Soda Creek Trailhead – TH accessible , trails are snow free with light blowdown. See Wilderness sections below!
Devils Lake/South Sister Trailhead –TH is snow free with patchy to sectional snow above 6,400’ to the Summit. See Wilderness sections below!
Quinn Meadow Horse Camp area trails – Snow free and recent OET work party cleared approx. 5 miles of trails out from the Camp.
Metolius-Windigo Trail has been partially cleared of blowdown from Bear Valley Trailhead south to Three Creeks Lake area. Here and there trail clearing in progress south of Three Creeks area, patchy snow likely Happy Valley to Todd Lk then snow free to Windigo Pass. Some trail clearing in Quinn Meadow HC area. Cleared from Winopee Lk TH to Wilderness boundary and then on to Muskrat/Winopee Lakes. Moderate to heavy blowdown likely from West Cultus to Many Lks, Lemish Lk and south to Moore Creek. Stock users be aware of unsafe bridge conditions on bridge near Lemish Lk. M/W Trail cleared from Moore Creek to Crescent Lake then light blow down likely to Windigo Pass. The new Odell Creek Bridge was hit by a windblown tree and handrails damaged. Bridge is open with temporary repairs in place.
Section of Metolius Windigo Trail in Pole Creek Fire Odell Ck bridge damage – use caution!
Cultus Lake and Winopee Lk TH - Accessible with Winopee Lk Trail cleared to Muskrat Lk. Expect blow down northbound to the PCT. Non-wilderness section of the Cultus Lake loop between Little Cultus Lake and West Cultus boat-in camp has moderate - heavy blowdown and same for the Many Lakes Trail in Three Sisters Wilderness. Deer Lk TH is accessible with moderate blowdown reported on trails. Trail clearing in this area scheduled to continue, possibly week of July 15.
Lemish Lake TH – 600 road access from Little Cultus is very rough (high clearance 4x4) but accessible to Irish Taylor Lks and PCT Trail head. Rd condition on to Waldo Lake is unknown. Lemish Lk Trail likely has moderate to heavy blowdown.
Charlton Lake TH – Accessible from east on Road 4290 with light to moderate blowdown on trails. PCT cleared of blowdown, north from Road 4290 to Rd 600 near Irish/Taylor Lks.
Osprey Point TH – Accessible and light blowdown likely.
Fall River Trail – Free of blowdown.
South/North Twin Lakes area trails – Cleared of blowdown and in good condition.
Horse Butte to Swamp Wells area trails – Mostly good to fair trail access, expect light blow down south of Swamp Wells. Road to Swamp Wells is fair.
Newberry Caldera trails access is good with Paulina Lakeshore, Silica, Little Crater and Paulina Falls trails snow free and cleared of blow down. Crater Rim Trail is snow free with moderate blow down and trail clearing scheduled for week of July 16. Paulina Peak Trail is cleared from Visitor Center to Peak. The road to Paulina Peak is now open.
Peter Skene Ogden Trail - Cleared from Ogden trailhead to Paulina Lake. Bikers are allowed in uphill direction only.
Lava Cast Forest Trailhead – Trailhead and trail are accessible and free of blow down.
Hoffman Island Trailhead – Accessible and trail cleared.
PCT – Even into early July, some of the highest areas are holding snow on the North faces of the trail, including Diamond Peak, and Mt. Jefferson, and Three Fingered Jack. You can keep an eye on the snow levels by visiting the SnoTel website at http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/maps/oregon_sitemap Westside of Three Sisters likely holding patchy snow. Trail clearing by PCT stewards is in progress along many sections with mostly light to moderate blow down reported. Cleared sections include but not limited to: Irish/Taylor south to Road 4290 near Charlton Lk and Island Meadow south to 6 Lks Tr has less than 6 trees down. Road 600 from Little Cultus Lk is snow free and passible to Irish. Road is very rough and recommended only higher clearance 4x4.
Wilderness Trails – See special wilderness trails section below.
Sisters Ranger District:
Black Butte Trail is hiker only and in good condition. Trailhead is accessible with road improvement and new restroom. The new summit trail improvements now provide improved public access to the very summit and its grand views of the Cascades and Central Oregon area. An old trail section has been closed and restored to a natural setting. Please pay attention to all signing at the summit and help reduce negative impacts to the fragile environment on the butte by staying on designated trails. Plan for heavy trail traffic on weekends and even some weekdays. The lookout tower and residence cabin are off limits to public access, please do not distract the lookout’s fire spotting employee. Northern half of Upper Butte Loops Trail was cleared of heavy brush and blowdown 2 years ago, but expect new blow down.
Metolius River Trail conditions are good and trails cleared. An ongoing trail project involving rock hardening of eroding river bank from Head of the Metolius to Bridge 99 has begun and will continue into fall. Please avoid walking thru the many trail and river side restoration sites. Hiker only trails.
Suttle Lake Trail is in good condition. Recent year’s shoreline/trail stabilization project to repair shoreline trail erosion continues. Watch for ongoing trail restoration work and rock materials that have been moved onto the trail for repairs. Please, do not move or play on any of this rock as it may move unexpectedly.
Most recent rock retaining wall on Suttle Lk Trail, completed by Deschutes NF trail crew.
Lake Creek Trail may have light blowdown and is open to biker/hiker use along its entire length from Suttle Lake Resort to Camp Sherman. This trail is mostly located on closed roads and makes for mostly easy, family friendly biking and hiking. Watch your head when going under the Hwy 20 bridge and with its limited vertical clearance of less than 6 ft. Approximately 2 miles of the mid-section are open to horse traffic with access from the Metolius-Windigo Trail.
Peterson Ridge Trails are in good condition, becoming dusty. Big thanks to the volunteers involved in these maintenance projects. For more information on COTA, who they are, what they do and how you can help, go to: http://cotamtb.com/
Metolius-Windigo Trail - SEE DETAILS IN BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE!
Horse trails out of Sheep Springs Horse Camp – Metolius-Windigo Horse Trail has been mostly cleared of blowdown with brushing in progress along this section. Rock Pile Lake trail reported to have heavy blow down towards PCT.
Head of Jack Creek Trail – Snow free but expect blow down from the trailhead and the campground to the head springs area. The hiker only foot bridge at the head of the Jack Creek has been removed due to poor condition. Please stay on trail in this area and avoid walking in the remaining fragile riparian area.
PCT – SEE DETAILS UNDER BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE!
Wilderness Trails – See special wilderness trails section below.
Crescent Ranger District:
PCT – SEE DETAILS IN BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE!
Oldenberg Trail light blow down from trailhead to Oldenberg Lk, then likely light blow down and snow free to Windigo Pass.
Summit Lk Trail – Snow free and light to moderate blow down in area, road snow free/accessible/very rough to Summit Lk and Crest (recommended high clearance four wheel drive).
Meek Lk Trail – Snow free, expect blowdown.
Windy Lakes Trail – Snow free, expect blowdown.
Windigo Pass – Snow free, bumpy road.
Whitefish Horse Camp is snow free. Snow free conditions on Whitefish Ck Trail; expect blowdown.
Metolius-Windigo Trail - SEE DETAILS IN BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE!
Maiden Peak – Trailhead accessible, trails are snow free with likely light blow down.
Wilderness Trails – See special wilderness trails section below.
Special Deschutes National Forest Wilderness Trails Report: Updated 7/13
Pole Creek Fire severely impacts 15+ miles of Three Sisters Wilderness Trails:
Attention: The northeast corner of Three Sister Wilderness (within the Pole Creek Fire) was severely impacted by wildfire and for resource protection public use restrictions are in place. Lifting of some trail/Wilderness access restrictions within this area are now in effect; but road access to Millican Crater, Scott Pass, Chus Falls and Pole Creek Trailheads remain CLOSED until roadside hazards are removed. Off trail travel and camping within the burned area of Wilderness is prohibited and remains in effect for this season and until further notice. The burned area is snow free and 80% of trails in the burn are cleared of blowdown. For latest Pole Creek Fire trail, road and area closure information go to: http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/centraloregon/news-events
Trail crew members and volunteers have removed over 1,000 trees and burned remnants from trails within the Pole Creek Burn area. Another ~100 trees remain to be removed.
Pole Creek Trail, Oct. 2012 Green Lakes Trail south of Pole Creek Tr, 10/12
Metolius Windigo Horse Trail in the Pole Creek Fire area, Oct. 2012
Trail restoration will be continuing thru the summer months on 20+ miles of trail in the Pole Creek Burn area. Some use restrictions will remain in effect thru the summer season. Details: http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/centraloregon/news-events and in future reports!
Wilderness Trailhead Access:
Nearly all Deschutes National Forest Wilderness trailheads are snow free and accessible. Exceptions: Broken Top and Crater Ditch due to snow and a few Pole Creek Fire effected trail heads noted below. Snow is now limited to the higher elevations on north slopes. Limited Wilderness trail clearing is in progress but this will change over the coming weeks. Road access to Scott Pass, Chus Falls and Pole Creek Trailheads in the Pole Creek Fire are currently closed until further notice.
Mt. Jefferson Wilderness:
BEWARE! Since 2003 Brush Ck, Minto Lake, Sugar Pine Ridge Trails and northern sections of Summit Trail have been in a "no current maintenance" condition. With heavy blowdown, dense brush, lack of identifiable trail surface and erosion due to B and B Fire damage, these trails are considered impassable and are not recommended. In recent years several hikers have reported becoming lost trying to follow these trails from the west, with a few turning into search and rescue missions. Jefferson Lake Trail has become extremely difficult/challenging (likely impassable) for hikers and impassable for stock as well due to dense brush and blow down.
Jefferson Lake TH – Accessible with no trail clearing/brushing in progress; expect heavy brush and blow down on Jefferson Lk Trail, starting 1 mile in; trail impassable by stock and likely for hikers. Sugar Pine Ridge Trail also impassable to all traffic. Trails reported with heavy brush and no clearing from this trail head are strongly NOT recommended for any trail users.
Brush Creek TH – No longer accessible. Brush Creek Trail impassable to all traffic.
Cabot Lake TH – Accessible with trail clearing in progress. Blowdown level expected to be light to moderate. Trail north of Carl to Table Lakes has not been cleared for 3 yrs and likely very difficult for stock. A volunteer is planning to clear this section over the coming weeks. See Jefferson Lk TH above for heavy blowdown/brush warning on Jefferson Lk and Sugar Pine Ridge Trails.
Bear Valley TH – Accessible, Rockpile Lake Trail reported cleared of blow down to Wilderness boundary then over 250 trees across trail with heavy brush to Rockpile Lk and PCT. Minto Lake Trail is impassable to all traffic due to erosion, brush and blowdown with no maintenance since the 2003 B and B Fire. Aug. 3, 2012 photo of a 6’ 2” trail volunteer in deep snowbrush on Rockpile Lake Trail. 2013 report indicates denser brush and heavy blowdown (approx. 250 trees) within Wilderness section, currently considered impassible to most users. Possibility of losing trail increases if you are not careful. Clearing of blowdown on Rock Pile Lk Tr, Wilderness section, scheduled for July 17. Dense brush clearing not currently scheduled.
Jack Lake TH –Canyon Creek loop trail is now cleared and snow free. Mosquitos are moderate and happy to see you. Wasco Lake trail to PCT at Minto Pass also cleared of blowdown by volunteers. No updates on PCT conditions in this area. Old Summit Trail south of TH has moderate blow down and brush to Booth Lk then cleared to Santiam Pass.
Round Lake TH – Accessible, trail is blow down free.
PCT – SEE DETAILS UNDER BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE! Go to: http://www.pcta.org/
Mt. Washington Wilderness:
Dry Creek TH – Dry Creek trail has not been maintained for years and has heavy blow down through extensive fire kill forest. This trail is under a non-maintenance condition with trailhead signing/boards removed.
PCT – SEE DETAILS UNDER BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE! Go to: http://www.pcta.org/
Three Sisters Wilderness:
Three Sisters Loop – This popular loop involves approx. 45 miles of the PCT, Scott Pass Trail, Green Lakes Trail, Moraine Lake Trail and Wickiup Plains Trail. Currently the Loop has a few isolated patches of snow likely on the PCT segment. Clearing of blowdown has begun with the burned sections of trail within the Pole Creek Burn cleared, then heavy blowdown on the north non-burned section of Green Lks Trail to Scott Pass and heavy blowdown reported on the Scott Pass Trail. The Green Lks Trail section from Park Meadow south to Green Lks TH and west on Moraine Lks TR to Wickiup Plains reported very light blowdown.
July 15-Sept. 15 Wilderness Dog Leash Regulation in effect for: trails and trail corridors on Todd Lake, Broken Top, Soda Creek, Green Lakes, Moraine Lake (between SS Climbers trail and Fall Creek) and South Sister Climbers Trails. Leashes are also required within the management areas of Todd Lake, Green Lakes and Moraine Lake basins. Leash exception for dogs swimming or cooling off in water. Please maintain your dog leashed while on these trails during the leash season.
PCT – SEE DETAILS UNDER BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE! Go to: http://www.pcta.org/
Many Lakes TH – Accessible with blow down on trails.
Deer Lake TH – Accessible with light to moderate blowdown on nearby trails.
Winopee Lake TH – Accessible with Winopee Lk Trail cleared to Winopee Lk.
Corral Swamp TH – Accessible, trail conditions unknown but likely moderate to heavy blow down, with Met/Win moderate blowdown north to Quinn Meadow cutoff and south to Cultus Lk.
Lucky Lake TH – Accessible with snow free and moderate blow down to Lucky Lake. Moderate-heavy blow down to Senoj Lk. Six Lks Trail back to Six Lks TH is mostly cleared and passible. Mosquitos moderate!
Six Lakes TH – Accessible, trail snow free, very passible and only a few downed trees remaining to PCT. Mosquitos moderate!
Elk Lake TH – Accessible, trails snow free with trail maintenance in progress with only a few trees down towards the Crest then Trails cleared to Horse Lk. Light blowdown south on PCT to 6 Lks TR and north to Wickiup Plains. Mosquitos in Horse Lk area were very aggressive on July 6.
Mirror Lk TH – Accessible, snow free and 4 trees down but very passible to Mirror Lk. patchy snow reported on approach to PCT. Patchy snow likely on north slopes north to Collier Cone and south to Koosah on PCT. Campfires prohibited within ¼ mile of Mirror Lakes management area.
Devils Lakes TH – Accessible. Light blowdown reported to PCT and no blowdown to Moraine Lk. Higher elevation Wilderness trails above 6,200’ may have some patchy snow.
South Sister Climbers – Good (but limited) parking access at Green and Devils Lk Trailhead. Plan to encounter patchy snow starting approx. 6,200’. Climber’s trail is currently under patchy-sectional snow starting at 6,400’, The summer trail/climbing route is not marked for snow travel. Have a map and navigation equipment, compass/GPS. South Sister Climbers Trail from trailhead to summit is closed to stock. Trail cleared of blow down. The 6.2 mile and 5,000 ft. elevation gain climb to the summit is a difficult climb and can be very hazardous with changing weather or inexperience. All climbers should go fully prepared physically and mentally for this climb. Hazards include but are not limited to: altitude sickness, dehydration, exhaustion, losing the trail, rough trail, falls, rocks, severe weather, etc. The Moraine Lk designated campsites are snow free. “Camping in designated campsites only” at Moraine and Green Lakes and campfires prohibited in the lake basin areas. Wickiup Plains/access to PCT is snow free.
Green Lakes TH – Accessible. Trails are snow free and passible on Soda Ck, Green Lks and Moraine Lk Trails. Limited trail clearing in progress with light blow down reported. Camping within the Green and Moraine Lakes basins is permitted only in designated campsites marked with a campsite post. Campfires are prohibited in Green and Moraine Lake basins.
June 28 glimpse of Three Sisters from Broken Top Summit.
Todd Lake TH – Accessible and snow free in lake area. North end trails thru the meadows are soggy and muddy and not recommended until dry. Road 370 gate is closed at Todd Lake parking area with opening late July.
Broken Top TH – Not accessible by vehicles due snow and roads 370 and 380 are closed until approx. mid-late July.
Tam Rim/Three Creek Lake area Trailheads – Tam Rim TH is accessible but expect patchy snow at higher elevations and light-moderate blow down on trails.
Park Meadow TH – Parking accessible, trails currently open in the Pole Creek Fire with restrictions in place. Light to moderate blow down and partial trail clearing in progress, trails snow free. Use within the Pole Creek Fire area of Three Sisters Wilderness is restricted to the trails. Off trail travel/camping are prohibited for this season. For full details: http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/centraloregon/news- events
Pole Creek TH – Trailhead road access currently closed due to road hazards. Use within the Pole Creek Fire area of Three Sisters Wilderness is restricted to the trails. Trail clearing/maintenance in progress on trails within Pole Creek burn area. Off trail travel/camping are prohibited for this season. For full details: http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/centraloregon/news-events
Millican Crater TH – Trailhead road access currently closed due to road hazards. Heavy blow down on Millican Crater and Scott Pass Trails with the northern section of Green Lks Trail under heavy blow down; limited trail clearing in progress. Use within the Pole Creek Fire area of Three Sisters Wilderness is restricted to the trails. Off trail travel/camping are prohibited for this season.. For full details: http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/centraloregon/news-events
Scott Pass - Trailhead road access currently closed due to road hazards. Heavy blow down on trails. Use within the Pole Creek Fire area of Three Sisters Wilderness is restricted to the trails. Off trail travel/camping are prohibited for this season.. For full details: http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/centraloregon/news-events
Black Crater TH – Accessible with blow down and possible patchy snow on trail.
Lava Camp Lake TH – Accessible with blow down on trail.
Diamond Peak Wilderness:
PCT – SEE DETAILS UNDER BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE! Go to: http://www.pcta.org/
Pengra Pass TH – Accessible.
Yoran Lk TH - Accessible, light to moderate blow down not cleared.
Fawn Lk TH is accessible with Fawn Lake/Pretty Lake trails snow free, moderate blowdown and partial clearing in progress.
Whitefish Horse Camp is accessible, Whitefish Trail snow free and moderate blow down. Met/Win Trail, see Met/Win above.
Summit Lk/PCT – Road access from Crescent Lk is snow free but very rough. Expect PCT under patchy to possibly sectional snow.
SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURES/OPENINGS:
Hwy 46 OPEN for the summer season. Road 370 CLOSED, snow free and open from Hwy 46 to Todd Lake TH then gate is closed due to snow. Will open partially when snow melts off, approximately late July. Road 380 to Broken Top TH also closed due to snow.
Tumalo Falls OPEN– Tumalo Falls Trailhead and access road is now open for the Road season.
Road 21 OPEN for the summer season from Ten Mile Sno-Park to east end of Newberry Caldera. Road to Paulina Peak now open for the season.
Hwy 242 Mckenzie Pass, OPEN for the season. Road 16 Road open and snow free to Three Creeks Lake.
Pole Creek Fire Partial road closures within the Pole Creek Fire Closure: area road http://www.fs.usda.gov/news/centraloregon/news-events will remain in closures effect thru the summer season. Lifting of some closure is occuring as roads are manged for hazard trees. Road 60 OPEN. Roads to Windigo Pass and Road to Summit Lake are likely snow free.
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.”
“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”: http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/ten+essentials.html?s_kwcid=TC|13029|ten%20essentials||S|p|7499840765&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. Spring to summer 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) 383-5300 Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District: (541) 383-4000 Sisters Ranger District: (541) 549-7700 Crescent Ranger District: (541) 433-3200 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: 63095 Deschutes Market Road, Bend. Have a safe summer!