Deschutes National Forest
Summer Trail Access and Conditions Update KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Updated August 30, 2013 - Labor Day Weekend Report
Summer Trail Highlights Public Use Restrictions due to extreme fire danger on the Deschutes/Ochoco, continue until fire danger lessens. For more wildfire information and trail/road closures: http://www.inciweb.org/ Expect high holiday use on many
Very heavy use at Green and Moraine Lakes. Recent Deschutes NF trail and backcountry Ranger report of 100 people camped at Green Lks. areas. Wilderness Permits required. Designated campsites may fill on weekends; if you cannot Please follow the 7 Leave No Trace find an open campsite you must camp outside of the signed boundary area. Principles and plan ahead for your trip. Heavy trail traffic on South Sister. On peak weekends, http://lnt.org/learn/7-principles 200-300 climbers may reach the summit each day. Most Within the Pole Creek Burn: Pole Creek, users would not consider this a “Wilderness” experience. Avoid weekends to avoid highest use! Scott Pass and Millican Crater Light Wilderness Rangers will be out on Labor Day Wknd. Trailheads have reopened Broken Top TH and 370 Road from Todd Lake to Road 4601 are now open. Rough road conditions, high clearance recommended, keep vehicles on open roads and spurs only. Approx. 80% of PCT clearing in Central Oregon Cascades now complete. Light to moderate blowdown remains on just a few trails. Watch weather forecasts closely, beware of lightning hazards. Go prepared with your Ten Essential Systems: Navigation (map and compass) Bags of dog waste are often left inappropriately along trails Sun protection (sunglasses/sunscreen) at trail heads and recreation sites. Disposal of dog waste Insulation (extra clothing) from area trails/recreation sites is appreciated but please dispose of the waste filled bags in your home refuse Illumination (headlamp/flashlight) container or other approved site. Most Deschutes NF First-aid supplies recreation sites and trail heads do not provide for such Fire(waterproofmatches/lighter/candles) disposal. Thank You! Repair kit and tools Nutrition (extra food) Hydration (extra water) Emergency shelter
GENERAL SUMMER TRAIL CONDITIONS AS OF AUGUST 30:
Trail crew repairs narrowing tread on steep side slopes.
Pleasant summer temperatures and isolated thunderstorms over the past few days. More of the same into the next week is forecasted. Trail use is at peak summer levels so heads up and be ready to share the trails and watch out for each other.
Tired of encountering possibly hundreds of other users on popular Wilderness trails? Look over maps and guide books and seek out trails not listed or mentioned as low use trails.
Deschutes National Forest’s summer trails are snow free. Across the Forest, approximately 90% of those trails to be cleared this year have been cleared.
Trail volunteers and a few trail crew personnel continue trail maintenance and clearing into the higher elevations areas. 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 blow down (perhaps 50-100 trees/mile) may not be cleared each year; with a few that have become extremely difficult to clear of blow down and dense brush that are essentially, “put on the back burner” and have become impassible and unsafe to follow.
Except for Chus Falls, all Wilderness trail heads are now accessible. Trail clearing within the Deschutes NF Wilderness areas is on the downhill side with approx. 75% 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 passage.
High Fire Danger and recent lightning fires result in issuance of Public Use Restrictions and trail/area/road closures due to hazardous wild land fires. Due to high fire danger, Public Use Restrictions went into effect Aug. 2 and will continue until further notice. Campfire, vehicle and smoking restrictions involved, for further details: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/centraloregon/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376
With hundreds of recent lightning strikes in Central Oregon, new fire starts are expected in the days and weeks ahead. If you detect a wildfire in the backcountry, provide for your own safety and call 911!
The Green Ridge Fire has been contained and the fire closures to trails, roads, fish hatchery and campgrounds along the Metolius River have been lifted. Closures to roads, area and Green Ridge Trail within the fire perimeter do remain in effect until further notice. Emergency fire closures due to wildfire activity are yet possible as the fire season progresses; and can occur without notice!.
Smoke and local air quality
Southwesterly winds occasionally to bring smoke from fires in Northern California and Southwestern Oregon into our area. Unfortunately smoky conditions may remain until there is a significant shift in the weather pattern or the fires south of us are extinguished. Aerial imagery at http://www.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com provides a detailed picture and explanation on how smoke is moving across central Oregon. For the latest air quality information please visit the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality web site at www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/.
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 – 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: http://lnt.org/learn/7-principles
Human waste in front and backcountry areas continues to be a growing problem on the Deschutes NF. Below is a recent report from one backcountry user:
My wife and I just got back from a pack trip in the Three Sisters Wilderness. Beautiful place. We were 6 days in the backcountry. But I have never seen so many people improperly pooing in the backcountry. It was disgusting. I know it’s a heavy used area, especially those you can day hike too, like Green Lakes and Moraine lake, but wow, there was unburied poo all over these places as well as Park Meadow. I have backpacked a lot of Wilderness areas and National Parks and never seen a problem like this. Many of these places put pit toilets or port a poties in these types of heavy use areas to protect the wilderness. Of course, I also realize the funding issues you folks face. Even a few toilets probably aren't in the budget. It’s a real shame to see these amazing places literally being crapped on!
Please, dispose of human and pet waste properly and Leave No Trace! 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. 95% 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. You cannot legally access lower Snow Creek from Snow Creek Ditch or Park Meadow Trail. The Ditch has been removed and placed in restoration, is not passible and is closed.
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. Be aware of a 1 mile section of middle Mrazek Trail which is closed until early Sept. for fuels reduction along the trail. This closed trail segment is located just east of the 4601 road; there is a signed reroute in place for the duration of this closure. 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 Trail or nearby roads. Bridge Creek Trail is hiking only, 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 may have light blowdown. Flagline Trail, is now OPEN. Metolius/Windigo Trail in Happy Valley area may have 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 cleared of blowdown.
Swampy Lake Trails are in good condition but may have a few trees down. Flagline is now OPEN for the season.
Tumalo Mt. – Trail is in good condition. Hiker trail only!
Todd Lake Trailhead Snow free and accessible. Todd Lake trail and basin has been super crowded on weekends and busy on weekdays. Road 370’s erosion damage has been partially repaired and the road is now open for the season. This includes access to road 380 which provides vehicle access to the Broken Top Trailhead. High clearance recommended, please keep vehicles on open roads, parking areas and obvious parking spurs and not on vegetation.
Todd Creek Horse Camp – Accessible to the camp and trailhead. Access on the Metolius- Windigo Horse trail southbound to Quinn Meadow blow down possible. Northbound Met/Win from Todd Creek blow down possible.
Sparks Lake Trailhead – TH accessible but blow down likely on Sparks Lk trail, a connection to Met/Win Trail.
Ray Atkison Trailhead and Sparks Lake boat ramp – Fully accessible and cleared of blowdown.
Green Lakes/Soda Creek Trailhead – TH accessible, crowded on weekends with limited parking , trails are cleared of blow down.. See Wilderness sections below!
Devils Lake/South Sister Trailhead –Accessible, crowded on weekends with limited parking. See Wilderness sections below!
Quinn Meadow Horse Camp area trails – Accessible, recent OET work party cleared approx. 5 miles of trails out from the Camp.
Metolius-Windigo Trail is snow free and approximately 95% has been 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 with a section of heavy blowdown reported just east of Three Creeks, light blow down likely in Happy Valley to Todd Lk. Some trail clearing in Quinn Meadow HC area and clear around Lava Lakes. Cleared from Winopee Lk TH to Wilderness boundary and then on to Muskrat/Winopee Lakes. A few passible blowdown reported in the West Cultus area. Trail cleared from Deer Lk Trail to Many Lks, then on to Lemish Lk and south to Charlton Lk area. Stock users be aware the bridge near Lemish Lk was removed and replaced with a ford at the currently dry crossing. M/W Trail is cleared from Moore Creek to Oldenberg Lk above Crescent Lake then on 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 Winopee and Snowshoe Lk. Non-wilderness section of the Cultus Lake loop between Deer Lake Trail and West Cultus boat-in camp has a few passible blowdown . Deer Lk TH is accessible with trail cleared to Little Cultus and Many Lakes. 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 and connections to Charlton Lake are cleared. Lily Lk Trail is currently in poor condition with 200-300 trees down and impossible to follow trail off the PCT or from the east.
Charlton Lake TH – Accessible from east on a rough Road 4290 with trail clearing progress and many trails around Charlton Lk and south cleared. PCT cleared north from Charlton to Irish/Taylor and mostly cleared south to Summit Lk.
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. Moderate or possibly heavy blowdown closer to Crater Rim Trail and trail hard to follow due to lack of maintenance and use.
Newberry Caldera trails access is good with all trails in the Caldera (including Crater Rim and Paulina Creek Trails) cleared of blow down and snow free. The road to Paulina Peak is open.
Last few down trees were removed from Newberry Caldera area trails in July. All trails within the Caldera are now cleared of blowdown.
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.
Pacific Crest Trail – Snow free with most of the PCT on the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests now complete.
Trail clearing by PCT stewards continues on a few remaining segments. Cleared sections include but not limited to: Windigo Pass to Summit Lk, Summit Lk to Hwy 58, clearing in progress with many sections complete to Irish/Taylor Lks. North to Wickiup Plains mostly cleared with light blowdown reported in non-cleared segments. Mostly cleared conditions reported north of Wickiup Plains to Collier Cone and on to Hwy 242. 4 trees down from Santiam Pass to north side of Three Finger Jack. Heavy blowdown reported in Koko Lks to Minto Pass section but that may have been recently cleared. Road 600 from Little Cultus Lk is snow free and passible to Irish. Road is very rough and recommended only higher clearance 4x4. http://www.pcta.org/
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 Trails – River Trails and campground access fully reopened with the Green Ridge Fire contained. Open trail conditions are good and trails mostly 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 is cleared of blow down 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 is now cleared of heavy blow down towards PCT but does have section of dense but passible brush.
Head of Jack Creek Trail – may have a few downed trees 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 cleared of blowdown to Windigo Pass.
Summit Lk Trail – Snow free and cleared of blow down from Summit Lk to Windy Lks TR, road snow free/accessible/very rough to Summit Lk and Crest (recommended high clearance four wheel drive).
Meek Lk Trail –cleared of blowdown.
Windy Lakes Trail – Snow free, 4.5 miles cleared of blowdown.
Windigo Pass – Snow free, bumpy road.
Whitefish Horse Camp - Snow free conditions on Whitefish Ck Trail; trail clearing in progress.
Pretty Lk/Fawn Lake Trails – Trail clearing in progress, 20 trees down north of Whitefish TR to Fawn Lk.
Metolius-Windigo Trail - SEE DETAILS IN BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE!
Maiden Peak – Trailhead accessible, trails are snow free and cleared of blow down.
Wilderness Trails – See special wilderness trails section below.
Special Deschutes National Forest Wilderness Trails Report: Updated 8/30
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 Chus Falls Trailhead remain CLOSED until roadside hazards are removed. All other trail head access including Pole Creek, Scott Pass, Millican Crater and Park Meadow Trail Heads is now OPEN. 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 95% 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 1,200 trees and burned remnants from trails within the Pole Creek Burn area. Another ~20 trees remain to be removed with remaining trees passible.
New downed trees across trails can occur any day, with or without wind!
Pole Creek Trail, Oct. 2012 Green Lakes Trail south of Pole Creek Tr, 10/12
Trail restoration will be continuing thru the Fall 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 Trailheads and Trails Access:
Nearly all Deschutes National Forest Wilderness trailheads are accessible. Exception: Chus Falls Trail Head in the Pole Creek Burn remains closed until hazard trees are removed from the access road. The majority of Wilderness trails have been cleared with clearing continuing into the Fall season. Road access to Scott Pass, Millican Crater and Pole Creek Trailheads in the Pole Creek Fire has been reopened for the season.
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 (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 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 mostly cleared to Carl Lk except for 1 log that may block pack stock. Heavy brush removal is complete for this year. 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 later in August. 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 has been cleared of heavy blowdown and some dense brush. Some dense brush remains but is passable. 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. Limited brush clearing in progress.
Jack Lake TH –Canyon Creek loop trail is now cleared and snow free. Wasco Lake trail to PCT at Minto Pass also cleared of blowdown by volunteers. Old Summit Trail south has been cleared of blowdown to Santiam Pass but does have sections of heavy brush that is passable with care.
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. The loop is snow free. Clearing of blowdown is nearly complete with a few down trees just south of the Pole Creek burn to Park Meadow. PCT section was recently reported with only a few down trees and remainder of loop is in good condition.
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 Many Lks Trail cleared to Deer Lk TH.
Deer Lake TH – Accessible with trails cleared to Little Cultus Lk and Many Lakes. Trail to West Cultus Campground is not fully cleared; has a few remaining passible trees.
Winopee Lake TH – Accessible with Winopee Lk Trail cleared to Winopee Lk and on to Snowshoe Lk. Moderate blowdown possible from there to PCT.
Corral Swamp TH – Accessible, trail conditions unknown but likely moderate possibly heavy blow down, with Met/Win moderate blowdown north to Quinn Meadow cutoff and south to Cultus Lk.
Lucky Lake TH – Accessible and cleared of blow down to Lucky Lake and then on to Senoj Lk. Six Lks Trail back to Six Lks TH and west to the PCT is cleared.
Six Lakes TH – Accessible and cleared to the PCT.
Elk Lake TH – Accessible, trails to the PCT cleared of blowdown and trails cleared to Horse Lk. Possible light blowdown south on PCT to 6 Lks TR and cleared north to Wickiup Plains. Mosquitos in Horse Lk area may be light.
Mirror Lk TH – Accessible, trail cleared to Mirror Lk. PCT cleared north and south of immediate lake area. Campfires prohibited within ¼ mile of Mirror Lakes management area.
Devils Lakes TH – Accessible. Cleared to PCT and to Moraine Lk.
South Sister Climbers – Good (but limited) parking access at Green and Devils Lk Trailhead. Climber’s trail is hiker only and free of blowdown. Have a map and navigation equipment, compass or GPS. South Sister Climbers Trail from trailhead to summit is closed to stock. 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, snow fields, severe weather, etc.. Climbing assistance and rescues are not an easy matter at higher elevations and in Wilderness locations. Steep terrain, dense forests, remoteness, lack of roads and challenging weather all contribute to rescue difficulties and delays. If you go, go prepared and have the skills and supplies to last extended periods in situations of injury or lost persons. “Camping in designated campsites only” at Moraine and Green Lakes and campfires prohibited in the lake basin areas.
What might be termed the late morning rush hour on South Sister Climber’s Trail near the summit. Typical Labor Day Weekend could see up to 300 climbers on each of the Saturday or Sunday of Labor Day Weekend.
Is that an early dusting of snow or is it hail on South Sister? Either way it’s a reminder that weather can change any time over the coming weeks and bring snow to the mid and higher elevations.
Green Lakes TH – Accessible. Trails are snow free and clear of blow down on Soda Ck, Green Lks and Moraine Lk Trails. 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. Please dispose of human and pet waste properly!
June 28 glimpse of Three Sisters from Broken Top Summit.
Todd Lake TH – Accessible and snow free in lake area. Road 370 is now OPEN for the season. Special road maintenance for culvert repairs is complete. Higher clearance vehicles recommended, please keep vehicles on open roads and parking spurs only. Do not drive or park on vegetation.
Broken Top TH – Accessible with Road 370 and 380 now open for the season. Trail is free of blowdown.
Tam Rim/Three Creek Lake area Trailheads – Tam Rim TH is accessible, Tam Rim trail snow free with light, minor blow down on trails; clearing in progress. Likely a few blowdown on trails around Three Ck Lk.
Park Meadow TH – Parking accessible, trails currently open in the Pole Creek Fire with restrictions in place. Light blow down remains and partial trail clearing in progress, trails snow free. A small foot bridge across Snow Creek was removed due to fire damage. The water level is easily forded. 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
Chus Fall TH - Trailhead road access currently closed due to hazard trees. Use within the Pole Creek Fire area of Three Sisters Wilderness is restricted to the trails. Trail clearing 95% complete on trails and passible 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
Pole Creek TH – Trailhead road access NOW OPEN. Use within the Pole Creek Fire area of Three Sisters Wilderness is restricted to the trails. Trail clearing 95% complete on trails and passible 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 NOW OPEN. Millican Crater, Tie, Scott Pass and most of Green LakesTrails cleared of blowdown. 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 TH- Trailhead road access NOW OPEN. Millican Crater, Tie, Scott Pass and most of Green LakesTrails cleared of blowdown. 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, trail cleared of blowdown and snow free.
Lava Camp Lake TH – Accessible, trail cleared of blowdown and snow free.
Diamond Peak Wilderness:
PCT – SEE DETAILS UNDER BEND/FORT ROCK RANGER DISTRICT ABOVE! Go to: http://www.pcta.org/
Pengra Pass TH – Accessible with PCT cleared of blow down.
Yoran Lk TH - Accessible, trail cleared of trees.
Fawn Lk TH is accessible with Fawn Lake Trail cleared of blow down and Pretty Lake Trail partially cleared; with clearing in progress.
Whitefish Horse Camp is accessible, Whitefish Trail snow free and trail clearing in progress. Snell Lk 1.5 miles and Meek Lk 2.5 cleared of blowdown. For Met/Win Trail, see Met/Win above. Summit Lk/PCT – Road access from Crescent Lk is snow free but very rough. PCT is snow free and trail clearing complete in Diamond Peak.
SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURES/OPENINGS:
Hwy 46 OPEN for the summer season. Road 370 OPEN, from Hwy 46 to Todd Lake TH and then on to Road 16 near Three Creek Lks. Higher clearance vehicles recommended, keep vehicles on open roads and spurs.
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 snow free, open but rough.
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. Find this weekly trail access and condition report in the Deschutes National Forest Website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5299503.pdf
Have a safe summer!