USDA Forest Service
 

Mt. Hood National Forest

 
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Mt. Hood NF
16400 Champion Way
Sandy, OR 97055

(503) 668-1700

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

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Portion of Olallie Lake Scenic Area

Re-Opened While Remainder of Area Remains Closed

Portions of Pacific Crest Trail Remain Closed
Bull of the Woods Wilderness Area Closed
Portion of Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area Closed Due to Fire Activity

Updated Wednesday, September 1, 2010

 

Effective today, the northern portion of the Olallie Lake Scenic Area has re-opened. The southern and western portions of the area remain closed.

The following locations are now open: Olallie Lake Resort, Paul Dennis Campground, the northern most Olallie Lake boat ramp, Olallie Lake Picnic Area, the historic guard station, Camp Ten Campground, Triangle Lake Campground, and Lower Lake Campground. The waters of Olallie Lake are also open. Dispersed camping sites between the Olallie Lake Picnic Area and Camp Ten Campground are open to accommodate these dispersed sites. The Olallie Lake Scenic Area is closed south of Camp Ten Campground.

Road 4220 is open only between its junction with road 4690 at the north and Camp Ten Campground at the south. Road 4220 remains closed south of Camp Ten Campground. Road 4220 remains closed between Forest Road 46 and Breitenbush Campground.

Please follow the link to Fire Closure and Map for more specific closure information.

The Pacific Crest Trail remains closed between Jefferson Park at the south (within the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness) and Triangle Lake Equestrian Campground at the north.

A Forest Service shuttle is transporting hikers from the Pacific Crest Trail between the South Fork of Breitenbush River Trailhead along Forest Road 4685 (located on Willamette National Forest) and Triangle Lake Campground intermittently as needed between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The shuttle does not depart and arrive on a set schedule but only as needed when hikers arrive at either the trailhead at
South Fork of Breitenbush River Trailhead or Triangle Lake.

Road 4630 which provides a access to Lake Harriett is closed due to its close proximity to fire camp and fire traffic. Please access Lake Harriet via Highway 224 and then via Forest Road 57.

Fires ignited by a lightning storm on Tuesday, August 17 have forced closure of the entire Bull of the Woods Wilderness Area including trails. On Monday, August 29, an area closure was expanded to include areas north, east, and south of the Bull of the Wood Wilderness Area. Please follow the link to Closure Order and Map for specific locations closed. Bagby Hot Springs,and Pegleg Falls Recreation Areas are open to the public.

Fire Information and Fire Updates

The Type I Pacific Northwest Team 2 (Incident Commander Chris Hoff) has assumed command of the View Lake Fire Complex which includes the the View Lake Fire within the Olallie Lake Scenic Area, fires burning with the Bull of the Woods Wilderness, and fires within a portion of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness including the Pyramid Butte Fire.

For complete fire infomation about fires within the Olallie Lake Scenic Area, the Bull of the Woods Wilderness, and the Pyramid Butte Fire within the Mt. Jefferson Wilderenss, please follow the link to:

www.inciweb.org

Please scroll down the "Incident" column at the left to find the View Complex Fire Incident. The View Complex Fire contains information related to the fires mentioned above.

The fire information phone number at the Incident Command Post at Ripplebrook is 503-834-5507. 

Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL)

Effective September 1, 2010

Industrial Fire Precaution and Fire Danger Levels have been changed. For many members of the public, this means the cutting of fire wood for all practical purposes is only allowed during the morning hours until 1:00 p.m. Please check with local Forest Service offices for specific information.

IFP Unit IFP Level Fire Danger Level
1 2 Very High
2 2 High
3 2 High
4 2 High

Link to Map of Industrial Fire Precaution Units

Link to Explanation of Industrial Fire Precaution Levels for the average user/visitor to Mt. Hood National Forest.

Link to Technical Language/Requirements of the Industrial Fire Precaution Levels.

 

Timberline Mountain BikeTrails and Skills Park Proposed

The Zigzag Ranger District is beginning an analysis to determine the environmental and social impacts of approving a proposal by RLK and Company, the operators of Timberline Lodge and Ski Area to develop a managed, ski-lift assisted downhill-only mountain bike trails system and skills park within the existing boundary of the Timberline Ski Area permit.  The Mt. Hood National Forest is now seeking comments from people interested in this proposal.   The Forest Service would like your scoping comments by July 30, 2010.  Link to more information:  Public Scoping Letter

Link to Map of Proposal. Please print on 11"x17" paper. 

Fish Creek Landing Strip Closed to Target Shooting

Discharge of a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun is prohibited until further notice in an area closure which includes the Fish Creek Landing Strip. The area closed to firearm use is located approximately 15 miles south of Estacada and encompasses the Fish Creek Road (Forest Road 54) and tributary roads and area.

The temporary closure is being implemented in order to ensure the safety of forest workers. Work will soon begin on a Stewardship Thinning Contract within the vicinity. The thinning project was implemented with collaboration among the Clackamas Stewardship Partners, a group of diverse individuals representing environmental groups, industry and county government. Proceeds from the thinning will be used to implement forest restoration projects.

Cascade Crossing Transmission Project

Portland General Electric is proposing to construct, maintain, and operate a 500 kv single and double-circuit transmission line that would cross 25.7 miles of Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests.  A Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement was published in the Federal Register on June 1, 2010.  The public is invited to provide comments regarding the scope of the analysis by August 2, 2010.  A series of public meetings are scheduled across the state begining June 21.  For more information, please follow the Link to Cascade Crossing Project Web Site.  

ARRA Logo

 

Economic Recovery Projects

 

Timberline Lodge

Mt. Hood National Forest has received $4.25 million dollars to improve facilities at Timberline Lodge. The work is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for Forest Facilities and Trails and was announced by Secretary Tom Vilsack on July 21, 2009.  The 191 projects, funded at more than $274 million, are located throughout the US Forest Service in 32 states.

 

Timberline Lodge is a national landmark jewel which was created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The work at Timberline Lodge will employ numerous contractors and employ such trades people as painters, carpenters, electricians, masons, pipe fitters, roofers, and road construction crews. "The Recovery Act projects we're announcing today are central to creating jobs and building a better, stronger economy in the future," said Secretary Vilsack. "These projects exemplify President Obama's commitment to sustainability, reducing our environmental footprint, and increasing energy efficiency, which will benefit the 178 million people who visit the National Forests each year, while generating additional tourism and stimulating local economies." Link to more and news release

Link to:

"How to Do Business with the Forest Service"

Area Closed to Target Shooting

In order to ensure the safety of the public, all target shooting is now prohibited within an area surrounding the first approximately seven miles of Road 4500 (commonly known as the Memaloose Road ). Shooting is also prohibited on all connecting spur roads along this stretch of road. There has been an increase in target shooting within this area of the Clackamas River Ranger District. The closure to target shooting in this area is due to its lack of adequate backstops to provide safe shooting and because of the potential risk of bullet shells landing near camp sites, roads, and rivers where people recreate. While this specific area will be closed to target shooting, there still remains many areas, such as some rock quarries, where visitors are allowed to practice target shooting. Link to more information and news release

New Wilderness Areas Designated on Mt. Hood National Forest

The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 designated over 124,000 acres of new wilderness on Mt. Hood National Forest.  Link to more information and maps of new wilderness additions.

Travel on Still Creek Road Restricted

Fill slope failures have occurred on Road 2612 (also known as Road 12 or the Still Creek Road) at approximately .25 miles from the road's junction with Highway 26 forcing a road closure at the point of slope failure.  Recreation residences can still be accessed between Highway 26 and the closure or by accessing the Still Creek Road via Forest Road 2620 (also known as Road 20). Upper reaches of Road 2612 can also be accessed via the 2620 Road and is passable as far as the winter gate (approximately 8 miles).  The winter gate is closed. 

Good Things Happening in the Sandy River Basin

Many opportunities to become involved in habitat restoration projects exit.  Click on the link below for more information.

On October 19, 2007, Marmot Dam, the largest dam ever to be removed in Oregon, was dismantled allowing the Sandy River to be free flowing for the first time in nearly 100 years. 

In 2008, the Little Sandy Dam will also be removed, improving access to over 100 miles of salmon and steelhead habitat on the Mt. Hood National Forest.

On December 17, 2007, the City of Portland and the Mt. Hood National Forest signed the new Bull Run Watershed Management Unit Agreement.  This Agreement now serves as a partnership guide for the long term stewardship of the Bull Run, the source of Portland's drinking water. 

Link to more information

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US Forest Service - Mt. Hood National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 01 September 2010 at 20:22:25 EDT


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