Deschutes National Forest Memorial Day Weekend 2009

Deschutes National Forest

Summer Trail Access and Conditions Update KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Updated August 12, 2012

Summer Trail Summary Very limited late season snow patches may be found along the Cascade crest. Most not an issue, but you may find a drift or two on north aspects at the higher elevations! Blow down levels on trails range from light to heavy with approximately 65- 70% of Deschutes Trails cleared of blowdown for this season. Mosquitos highly variable. Road 370 still closed by late season snow and muddy sections. Estimated opening, later this week. Metolius River restoration projects in progress with some trail closures or detours likely over coming weeks. South Sister Climbers Trail, Moraine and Green Lakes Trails have a few snow patches remaining. A few down trees have not been cleared from these trails. Dogs must be on leash on these trails thru Sept 15. Northwest Youth Corps installing one of several new hiking bridges on Metolius River Trails. Beware of restoration Be aware that a number of trail projects continuing on Metolius Trails into the Fall. bridges have reached the end of their usable life and have been posted closed to stock use…use nearby ford or alternate route. 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 Late melting snow patch on South Sister Climbers Trail at 6,000’. Photo 8/09/12. Wear boots,Take a map… Nutrition (extra food) GO PREPARED! Hydration (extra water) Emergency shelter

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

Excerpts from a recent Wilderness Ranger report:

Sisters Mirror Lakes continue to see extensive day use. The overnight use appeared to be minimal so far this season, even around Lancelot Lake. I would suspect that overnight use will ramp up as the mosquitos die off and the snow finishes melting. Speaking of mosquitos, they were horrible. I would put it as a 9 to 9.5 (on a 1- 10 scale). I continue to find poop most everywhere (even 2 feet off the trail like that of the first picture). I made my way to Moraine Lake via the PCT & Wickiup Plains trail. This trail was patchy with snow quickly melting off and very little blow down. At Moraine Lake, guess what I found? You got it. Poop. Poop. And more left over poop from users unable to dig a hole 6-8 inches down. At campsite 3 I managed to uncover, quite easily, 6 different incidents. Campfires (illegal at Moraine, Green and Mirror Lakes areas and other fire restrictions apply) continue to be a major problem at the lake as I encountered 2 separate parties enjoying the wonders of fire at their campsites (citation issued). Human waste, campfires, and resource damage were the 3 major problems that I witnessed at Moraine Lake.

Please dispose of human/dog waste and toilet paper properly.and be aware of and respect campfire bans. Remember: Leave No Trace! GENERAL SUMMER TRAIL CONDITIONS AS OF AUGUST 12:

Approximately 98% of the Deschutes National Forest’s summer non-motorized trails are snow free. The remaining 2% 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, except for some climbing routes,likely be melted off in the next week. Those small patchy snow affected trails and areas include: Broken Top, Tam Rim, Green Lakes, Moraine Lake, South/Middle/North Sisters, Diamond Peak, Three Finger Jack, Camp Lake, sections of the PCT above 6,100 and climber routes on the volcanoes. Isolated north facing and sun protected, heavily forested areas below 6,100’ may also contain patchy snow.

Across the Forest, approximately 70% 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 in the process of being cleared. 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. Trails in areas hard hit by wildfire and beetle kill and involving heavy blowdown (perhaps 50-80 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.

HIGHWAY AND FOREST ROAD ACCESS: For more information on road or public use restrictions, visit the Deschutes and Ochoco website at www.fs.usda.gov/centraloregon or the website of the area you plan on visiting.

 Hwy 46 Fully open for the summer season from Bend to Crescent Cutoff road. Hwy 46 resurfacing from Bend to Mt. Bachelor has begun and will continue during most of the summer. Traffic delays will occur during most of the project period.

 Road 370 CLOSED and gated from Todd Lake parking to Road 4601. Estimated opening is mid-August, later this week. Expect rough road conditions on snow free section from the Happy Valley gate north to Three Creeks area and Road 16. High clearance only and stay on roadway.

 Road 21 into Newberry Caldera - OPEN.

 Road to Paulina Peak OPEN for the season. Narrow, windy, gravel road rising to 7,800’; closed to trailers and vehicles over 25’.

 Road to Tumalo Falls TH - OPEN

 Hwy 242, McKenzie Pass, Highway OPEN to normal summertime traffic with length restriction in effect.

 16 Road OPEN and snow free to Three Creek Lake and campgrounds.

 On Crescent Ranger District: Road 60 – Open! Road access to Summit Lake/ Immigrant Pass, OPEN, is rough (high clearance 4wd strongly recommended), Windigo Pass OPEN, rough road. Pengra Pass Road is snow free and open.

DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST SUMMER TRAILHEADS/TRAILS

Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District summer trails/access:

 Phils TH area trails are reported in great shape. COTA volunteers have been busy with trail maintenance and the evidence is on the ground. Heavy use reported at the trailhead on the weekends with parking exceeding capacity. The further out from the trailhead you travel, the fewer trail users you are likely to encounter.

 Tumalo Falls Trailhead is open for the season. North Fork Trail is snow and blow down free to Metolius/Windigo Trail and open to hikers and uphill bikers. The section of Metolius/Windigo Trail connecting Mrazek to North Fork/Swampy Lks Trails is reported to have 12 trees down but passible with bike carries. North Fork Trail is uphill only for bikers. Warning, two low log bridges in Happy Valley are in decayed condition and caution is recommended if using. Bikers go slow or walk across. Bridge Creek Trail is hiking only and closed to bikes, stock animals and dogs, as it passes thru the Bend Municipal Watershed; it has been cleared on the lower 1/2. North Fork Trail is open to hikers, dogs and bikers (uphill only). Reminder for bikers, biking is permitted in the uphill direction only on North Fork Trail for a return trip is on Mrazek. Mrazek is blowdown free. South Fork trail to Swampy trail system has been cleared of blowdown. Flagline Trail, is CLOSED until Aug. 15, for elk calving.

 Deschutes River Trailheads/Trails are in good condition from Entrada to Sunriver and on to Lava Lands.

 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 Moraine Lakes and South Sister.

 Tumalo Creek 2 Trail just upstream of Shevlin Park is a “hiker only” and has not been maintained this year but likely has only occasional blowdown.

 Wanoga (Steve Larsen Trailhead) and Edison mt. bike trails are snow free and cleared of blowdown to Bend and up to the Cascade Lakes area.

 Swampy Lake Trails have been cleared of blowdown. Flagline is closed until Aug. 15 for elk calving.

 Tumalo Mt. – Trail is cleared of blowdown and snow free. Trail is hiker only!

 Todd Lake Trailhead and parking area are snow free. Todd Lake basin is snow free. Trail around the north end of the lake in the meadows is soft and may have muddy sections. Road 370 beyond parking area is blocked by snow and closed to hwy vehicle until approx. mid August. We hope to open before next weekend, muddy sections and a few snow patches remain on north aspects. This access includes road 380 which provides vehicle access to the Broken Top Trailhead.

 Todd Creek Horse Camp – Snow free. Access on the Metolius-Windigo Horse trail southbound to Many Lakes has been cleared of most blowdown. Northbound to Happy Valley may have light to moderate blowdown.

 Sparks Lake Trailhead – Snow free but trail will have blow down

 Ray Atkison Trailhead and Sparks Lake boat ramp – Snow free and accessible and trails cleared of blow down. Heavy weekend lake use.

 Green Lakes/Soda Creek Trailhead – Accessible and nearly snow free but trails have not been cleared of blowdown which is reported as light. See Wilderness sections below!

 Devils Lake/South Sister Trailhead – Higher elevations have a few patches of snow and light blowdown. See Wilderness sections below!

 Quinn Meadow Horse Camp area trails – Snow free and mostly cleared of blowdown on Apaloosa, Quinn Creek, Sink Ck, and Katsuk Trails with good access to Metolius/Windigo Trail. Quinn Creek bridge is no longer safe for stock use. Please ride/lead stock thru the ford next to bridge. See Wilderness sections below for Wilderness access.

 Metolius-Windigo Trail has been mostly cleared of blowdown from Bear Valley Trailhead south to Three Creek Lakes with an occasional down tree, some large. Trail cleared from Todd Horse Camp south to Lucky Lake (Wilderness boundary) then from south end Wilderness boundary at Lucky Lk to Irish/Taylor Lakes. Also cleared from Moore Creek Trail south to Oldenberg Lake.

 Cultus Lake and Winopee Lk TH - Winopee Lk Trail cleared to Winopee Lk with some minor detours. Snowshoe Lk Trail cleared to PCT above Snowshoe Lk with some narrow treed sections. Non-wilderness section of the Cultus Lake loop between Little Cultus Lake and West Cultus boat-in camp is cleared as well as the Many Lakes Trail to Irish/Taylor Lakes. Be aware that the foot bridge at the West end of Cultus Lake is nearing the end of its usable life. Cross carefully and one at a time. Deer Lk TH cleared with trails above.

 Lemish Lake TH – Moderate blowdown with some trail clearing in progress on nearby trails. The bridge to Lemish Lake is in need of replacement and not recommended for stock use. Please find alternate route.

Lemish Lk Bridge, not usable for stock.

 Charlton Lake TH –Most trails in the area have been cleared of blowdown and are snow free.

 Osprey Point TH – Accessible and light blow down likely.

 Fall River Trail – Partially cleared.

 South/North Twin Lakes area trails - light blowdown.

 Horse Butte to Swamp Wells area trails – Mostly good to fair trail access, expect moderate to heavy blow down south of Swamp Wells. Road to Swamp Wells rough.

 Newberry Caldera trails – overall access is good with Paulina Lakeshore, Silica, Little Crater, Paulina Falls, Lost Lake and 95% of Newberry Crater trails cleared of blow down. Crater Rim Trail nearly cleared of all blowdown. Big Obsidian Flow trail has received tread work and is in improved condition. Wear hiking boots for better protection from tripping and sharp obsidian (glass like) rock. All trails snow free. The road to Paulina Peak is now open for the season.

 Peter Skene Ogden Trail - Cleared from trailhead to Paulina Lake, over 8 miles. Bikers are allowed in uphill direction only.

 Lava Cast Forest Trailhead – Trailhead and trail are accessible and free of blow down. Hiker only trail.

 Hoffman Island Trailhead – Trail cleared of blowdown, trail ends approx. 1 mile from TH.

 Lava Lands and Lava Butte Trails are in good condition.

 PCT – A few isolated patches of snow can be found along the higher elevations of the Pacific Crest Trail from Diamond Peak to Mt. Jefferson. Trail reported clear of blow down for approx. 7 miles south of Willamette Pass and north to Charlton Lake. Trail also cleared north of Irish/Taylor Lakes for approx. 5 miles with 2 logs remaining (too dangerous for volunteers to remove) on a steep side slope that are very hazardous for stock passage. Light to no blowdown reported from Six Lks Trail north to Foley Ridge. A few very small patches of snow reported in the section from Mesa Creek to Foley. Scott Pass to Hwy 242 light blowdown that may have been cleared. Santiam Pass north to Minto Pass is cleared of blowdown but a patch of snow may remain on SW slope of 3 Fingered Jack. Trail clearing is in progress on other sections with blow down varied, light to heavy. Vehicle accessible at Windigo Pass, Emigrant Pass (rough road), Pengra Pass, Hwy 58, Charlton Lk, Irish/Taylor Lakes (rough road), and Hwys 242 and 126/20. Go to: 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. Last year’s summit trail improvements now provides 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 last year, but expect new blow down.

 Metolius River Trail conditions are mostly good, cleared of blowdown. 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. Thru August 24, Northwest Youth Corps and Forest Service trail crews will be replacing trail structures, such as bridges and puncheon, hardening trail tread in muddy sections and restore sections of the river bank by planting natural landscaping and placing rocks. At different times during the project, most of the 8 miles of trails between Camp Sherman and Lower Bridge will be affected. The majority of work will occur in two locations. One area is just north and south of Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery and the second is between Camp Sherman and Allingham Guard Station. For public and crew safety, temporary trail closures will be in effect, but will be short duration (5 days or less). Reroutes are possible in some cases.

Northwest Youth Corp assists in “heavy” trail work on the Metolius River.

 Suttle Lake Trail is in good condition. Last 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.

 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. Thank you to the volunteers involved in these maintenance projects.

 Horse trails out of Sheep Springs Horse Camp – Metolius-Windigo Horse Trail has been cleared of blowdown in this section (see report above). Rock Pile Lake trail cleared from Bear Valley TH to PCT. Thank you SWAT crew for taking care of this less than pleasant section of trail. Be aware that approx. 1 mile of this trail is becoming difficult to navigate due to increasingly dense brush.

 Head of Jack Creek Trail – Cleared of heavy 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.

 Wilderness Trails – See special wilderness trails section below.

Crescent Ranger District:  PCT – A few isolated patches of snow can be found along the higher elevations of the Pacific Crest Trail from Diamond Peak to Mt. Jefferson. Trail reported clear of blow down for approx. 7 miles south of Willamette Pass and north to Charlton Lake. Trail also cleared north of Irish/Taylor Lakes for approx. 5 miles with 2 logs remaining (too dangerous for volunteers to remove) on a steep side slope that are very hazardous for stock passage. Light to no blowdown reported from Six Lks Trail north to Foley Ridge. A few very small patches of snow reported in the section from Mesa Creek to Foley. Scott Pass to Hwy 242 light blowdown that may have been cleared. Santiam Pass north to Minto Pass is cleared of blowdown but a patch of snow may remain on SW slope of 3 Fingered Jack. Trail clearing is in progress on other sections with blow down varied, light to heavy. Vehicle accessible at Windigo Pass, Emigrant Pass (rough road), Pengra Pass, Hwy 58, Charlton Lk, Irish/Taylor Lakes (rough road), and Hwys 242 and 126/20. Go to: http://www.pcta.org/

 Oldenberg Trail snow free and cleared from trailhead to Oldenberg Lk, then light blowdown to Windigo Pass. One difficult creek crossing on trail, may be impassible to stock.

 Summit Lk Trail – Road accessible to Emigrant Pass and Willamette, trail clearing in progress, light blow down expected.

 Meek Lk Trail – Trail mostly cleared.

 Windy Lakes Trail – Partial clearing in progress with light blowdown reported.

 Windigo Pass – Accessible.

 Whitefish Horse Camp - Whitefish Ck Trail cleared from horse camp to just north of Diamond View Lk.

Met/Win Trail bridge construction crossing Odell Creek is complete. Bridge is open to horse, hiker and mt. bike traffic; closed to motorized use. Enjoy the beautiful new crossing.

 Maiden Peak/Lake Trailhead – Trailhead accessible, blowdown cleared from nearby trails to PCT.

 Wilderness Trails – See special wilderness trails section below.

Special Deschutes National Forest Wilderness Trails Report: Updated 8/12

Except for Broken Top Trailhead, all Deschutes National Forest Wilderness trailheads are accessible.

Only a few isolated and sheltered patches of snow remain down to 6,000’ and nearest the crest. Please try to cross over these patches and not create resource impacts by skirting the edges and off trail.

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 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 extremely heavy brush and blow down on Jefferson Lk Trail, starting 1 mile in; trail impassable by stock and hikers. Sugar Pine Ridge Trail is also impassable to all traffic.

 Brush Creek TH – No longer accessible. Brush Creek Trail impassable to all traffic.

 Cabot Lake TH – Cleared of blowdown to the PCT. Cleared of blowdown from Carl Lk north to Junction Lk. Moderate brush on approx. ½ mile of trail. See Jefferson Lk TH above for heavy blowdown/brush warning on Jefferson Lk and Sugarpine RidgeTrails.

 Bear Valley TH – Accessible, Rockpile Lake Trail to PCT cleared of blowdown but has approx. 1 mile of moderate to dense brush making navigation somewhat challenging. Minto Lake Trail is impassable to all traffic due to erosion, brush, blowdown with no maintenance since the 2003 B and B Fire.

Aug. 3 photo of a 6’ 2” trail volunteer in deep snowbrush on Rockpile Lake Trail. Possibility of losing trail increases if you are not careful.

 Jack Lake TH –Canyon Creek loop trail is now cleared and snow free. Heavy blow down on Wasco Lake trail to PCT at Minto Pass was cleared of heavy blowdown by volunteers on Aug. 3. Heavy blowdown reported on PCT north of Minto Pass but may have been cleared recently. Old Summit Trail south of TH has moderate blow down and brush to Santiam Pass and is difficult for some hikers and stock to follow.

 Round Lake TH – Accessible, trail is blow down free.

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. Last year’s Shadow Lk fire burned so hot that the trail can no longer be found in areas. This trail is under a non-maintenance condition and not recommended.

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 minor isolated patches of snow likely. Most blowdown has been cleared and should be passible at least on the section from noon to ten o’clock in a clockwise direction.

 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.

 Many Lakes TH – Accessible, rough road, trail cleared to Deer Lake.

 Deer Lake TH – Accessible and trail cleared.

 Corral Swamp TH – Accessible, with Met/Win cleared north to Todd Horse Camp and south to Many Lks TH.

 Lucky Lake TH – Accessible and blow down free to Lucky Lake. Moderate-heavy blow down to Senoj Lk.

 Six Lakes TH – Accessible and cleared to Blow Lk, light blow down and snow free to PCT.

 Elk Lake TH – Accessible, Horse Lk Trails snow and blowdown free to PCT and then on to Horse Lake on the north and south Horse Lake trail.

 Mirror Lk TH – Accessible, Mirror Lk snow and blowdown free and lake area also snow free. Campfires prohibited within ¼ mile of Mirror Lakes management area.

 Devils Lakes TH – TH accessible, but for a snow patch or two to Moriane Lake, trails snow free and light to no blowdown.

 South Sister Climbers – A few patches of snow to 6.500’ then a few minor snow fields above on the climbers trail. Go prepared for the climb with boots and your Ten Essential Systems.

 Green Lakes TH – A minor snow patch or two on the trail along with light blowdown. Also a few snow patches around the lakes. Campfires prohibited and please practice Leave No Trace!

 Broken Top TH – Not accessible by vehicle with a few patches of mud/snow on the access road. Gates may open later this week.

 Tam Rim/Three Creek Lake area Trailheads –16 road snow free to Three Creeks Lake. Tam Rim Trail minor patchy snow and light blowdown.

 Park Meadow TH – Parking accessible, trail has not been cleared and with approx. 14 trees down to Park Meadow. Green Lks Trail cleared north to Scott Pass/PCT.

 Pole Creek TH – Trailhead accessible, trail cleared to Camp and Demaris Lakes. Grn Lks Trail cleared from Scott Pass/PCT south to Park Meadow.

Firefighters mopping up a human caused fire which escaped from an illegal campfire at Camp Lake a few days ago. Campfires are prohibited in Camp Lake area.

Heavy blow down due to years of beetle kill, on Green Lakes Trail near Soap Creek, out of Pole Ck TH, on 7/11/12. Over 200 trees cleared in past weeks on this trail. GL trail cleared from Scott Pass to Park Meadow.

 Scott Pass and Millican Crater Trailheads – Accessible. Scott Pass Trail cleared of blowdown to PCT, Millican Crater Trail cleared to Tie Tr (and approx. 1 mile beyond) with Tie cleared to Scott Pass Tr.

 Black Crater TH –TH accessible. Trail to summit has 12 downed trees.

 Lava Camp Lake TH – Accessible with light blow down on trail to Mathieu Lakes.

Diamond Peak Wilderness:  PCT – A few isolated patches of snow can be found along the higher elevations of the Pacific Crest Trail from Diamond Peak to Mt. Jefferson. Trail reported clear of blow down for approx. 7 miles south of Willamette Pass and north to Charlton Lake. Trail also cleared north of Irish/Taylor Lakes for approx. 5 miles with 2 logs remaining (too dangerous for volunteers to remove) on a steep side slope that are very hazardous for stock passage. Light to no blowdown reported from Six Lks Trail north to Foley Ridge. A few very small patches of snow reported in the section from Mesa Creek to Foley. Scott Pass to Hwy 242 light blowdown that may have been cleared. Santiam Pass north to Minto Pass is cleared of blowdown but a patch of snow may remain on SW slope of 3 Fingered Jack. Trail clearing is in progress on other sections with blow down varied, light to heavy. Vehicle accessible at Windigo Pass, Emigrant Pass (rough road), Pengra Pass, Hwy 58, Charlton Lk, Irish/Taylor Lakes (rough road), and Hwys 242 and 126/20. Go to: http://www.pcta.org/

 Pengra Pass TH – See PCT report above.

 Yoran Lk TH - Accessible, Trail to Yoran Lk snow free, unknown blowdown.

 Fawn Lk TH is accessible with Fawn Lake/Pretty Lake trails cleared of blow down.

 Whitefish Horse Camp is accessible, Whitefish Trail cleared from horse camp to Diamond View Lake and likely moderate blowdown beyond. Met/Win snow free, and cleared to Oldenberg Lake.

 Summit Lk/PCT – Accessible to TH on rough road (high clearance 4wd recommended) unknown trail conditions.

Special Events:

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_google_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! Downed trees and higher elevation snow yet block many trails and some roads and can make for slow and difficult travel. Weather can change with little notice. 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 and enjoyable summer!