White River Fire Closures

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white river fireIt’s Fire Season

Fire season has kicked into gear. A fire located in the White River area of the Mt. Hood National Forest is causing road and trail closures adjacent to popular 44 Trails riding areas. You can get the latest details on White River fire closures on the InciWeb site.

At this time, popular trails like Knebal, High Prairie, 15 Mile, 8 Mile, Surveyor’s, etc are all open.

White River Fire Closures

The main areas impacted by fire closures include Crane Creek, Crane Prairie, Boulder Lake, Forest Creek, Hidden Meadows, Bonney Meadows. Bennett Pass is also effected. Anyone planning to head that way should re-evaluate their plans and read the detailed fire closures information.

 

 

Mt Hood National Forest Campfire Ban

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mt hood single track mt bikingAugust 5, 2020: The USFS has announced a campfire ban on the Mt Hood National Forest. The ban applies to all camping – developed or not – in and around the 44 Trails zone. The trails remain open and rideable!

Campfires prohibited on Mt. Hood National Forest

Due to dry and hot conditions, campfires are now prohibited across the Mt. Hood National Forest, including in developed campgrounds.

All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, or any other open fires are prohibited under a Forest Order.  Portable cooking stoves and lanterns using liquefied or bottled fuel are still allowed as they can be instantly switched off.

July was much drier than average, and August and September are predicted to have higher than average temperatures.  These conditions will continue to increase the risk of wildfire- especially on the east side of the forest.  At the same time, Mt. Hood is experiencing extremely high visitation, increasing the number of preventable fires.

Forest Service crews extinguished over 100 abandoned campfires across the Mt. Hood National Forest in July.  With the current dry, hot conditions any wildfire start poses a greater threat to firefighter safety, public safety, and personal property.  This year every preventable fire also increases our firefighters’ risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus, which could impact our ability to respond to fires as the season continues.

“We know campfires are a big part of camping, but this year especially we all need to do our part to prevent wildfires,” said Dirk Shupe, Fire Management Staff Officer for the Mt. Hood National Forest.  “Fires caused by abandoned or escaped campfires create unnecessary risk for firefighters, our communities, and the forest.”

More forest information and the full text of the Forest Order is on the Mt. Hood National Forest website at:https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire.  The forest also shares recreation, fire, and safety updates on its Facebook and Twitter accounts at: @MtHoodNF.

For more information about the local and regional fire outlook visit: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/predict/outlook.aspx

USFS Opens Day Use – 44 Trails Status

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44 mountain bike trailsThe Mt. Hood National Forest is reopening most developed day-use and trailhead sites to recreational users beginning Friday May 29, 2020. This includes the 44 mountain bike trails!

Recreation Managers are coordinating with campground concessionaires, completing spring maintenance, and training seasonal staff. Several sites will not open immediately, including most campgrounds. These sites will open slowly as they are assessed for public and employee safety.

For a complete list of open and closed recreation sites, please check the Mt. Hood National Forest’s website: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mthood/conditions

Some facilities, such as vault bathrooms, may not be maintained daily.  It is recommended that all visitors be prepared to provide for their own sanitation and be as self-contained as possible while recreating.

As far as 44 Trails status – the following trails have been logged out and are rideable:

SuperConnector #449
Lookout #450 (upper elevation still has snow)
44 Trails is 100% volunteer run – all donations go directly to trail maintenance
Please remember E-bike use is prohibited on non-motorized trails within the Mt Hood National Forest – read more about E-bike regulations

44 Trails Work Party Saturday, June 29

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We are back at it this coming Saturday, June 29 to continue working on the Surveyor’s Ridge reroute project

Help us create hand-built singletrack!

We will be doing tread work and light brushing of the Surveyor’s reroute.

The new trail creates four miles of singletrack and improves interconnectivity to trails in the vicinity by connecting with the Super Connector, Cooks Meadows and the Superduper Connector.

WHEN: 
Saturday June 29, 2019 @ 9am – 2pm
Meet 9am @ Little John SnoPark on Highway 35
We’ll have coffee thanks to Dog River Coffee in HR at the sign-in and then move up to the work site as a group. Lunch will be provided by NY City Subs in Hood River.

Bring your bike and ride after the trail work!

PROJECT:
Light duty brushing and treadwork on Surveyor’s ridge re-route.

TOOLS: 
Helmet or Hardhat REQUIRED (bike helmets ok)
Long pants, gloves and work boots REQUIRED
Water – please bring drinking water for yourself
Please bring your own hand tool of choice: Flat Shovel, Spade shovel, McCleod, Loppers, Metal Rake, Pulaskis. Hand Saw

TRAIL CONDITIONS UPDATE
The majority of trails are open! Fifteen Mile, Cedar Creek, Knebal, Bottle Praiire, High Prairie, 450, Eight Mile etc. Bring your bike and rde after the trail day.

Can’t join us? Donate to help fund future trail projects in the 44 zone!