Umatilla National Forest

• Weed Free Feed Now Required on All National Forest Lands in the Pacific Northwest!
• Wilderness Act
• Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness
• North Fork Umatilla Wilderness
• North Fork John Day Wilderness

Wildernesses are special places on the Umatilla National Forest. One of the main concepts of the Wilderness Act of 1964 is that wilderness is a pristine environment that should show no evidence of man.

To most people, wilderness is a piece of wild land or back-country where they can find solitude which looks natural. It is an area where you can be alone and enjoy the outdoors without loud noise, ugly trash, or hustle and bustle. This is why it's important to follow "Leave No Trace" camping techniques.

Three designated wilderness areas exist on the Umatilla National Forest: the Wenaha-Tucannon, the North Fork Umatilla, and the North Fork John Day. These areas are unique because they are unlike many wilderness areas. The Umatilla's wilderness radiates down into steep gorges and canyons from high plateaus instead of upward to high peaks and alpine lakes. This unusual terrain offers a unique wilderness experience.

Generally, a wilderness has no roads, and all motorized or mechanized equipment is prohibited. Small, battery-powered, hand-held devices such as cameras and shavers are the only exceptions. Wheelchairs are allowed on a few trails wide enough for them because the chair is considered an extension of the disabled person's body.

Recreationists entering a wilderness should expect a different type of experience. It is a primitive type of recreation and, as a result, conveniences such as tables, fire pits, and toilets are not appropriate. Trails within a wilderness are maintained to provide challenge.

Wilderness travel also involves an element of risk. Visitors may be a long way from outside help if faced with an accident, illness, or other emergency. Recreationists should be prepared to be self-reliant by having the proper clothing and equipment and basic first-aid knowledge. Wilderness visitors should stay aware of changing weather conditions and other natural hazards.

But there is more to wilderness than risk and recreation. Wilderness is a place where we can examine the many complexities of our world. It serves as a research base to study unmodified ecosystems and the natural gene pool of plant and animal species. Each individual wilderness carries its own variety and breadth of diverse values.

Maps are available for each wilderness on the Umatilla National Forest. Maps are presented in topographical format and show major trail heads. Wilderness permits are not required, but visitors should leave their itinerary with a close friend or relative. During the summer and fall, wilderness rangers patrol on foot or horseback to provide information and ensure wilderness values are maintained.

Weed Free Feed Use Now Required in the Umatilla National Forest

As part of a larger effort to reduce invasive species on national forest lands, weed-free feed is now required for those using National Forests in the Pacific Northwest. (See Weed-Free-Feed Website) Weed free feed providers: Oregon /Washington

On February 10, 2009 the Pacific Northwest Regional Forester signed a Regional Weed Free Forage Order prohibiting the use of hay or crop products on all National Forest lands in Oregon and Washington. This Closure Order includes any hay, hay cubes, straw, grain or other crop or mulch product that is not State certified weed free.

The Wilderness Act

The Wilderness Act of 1964 not only governs the management activities within wilderness, but also governs your activities as a visitor. The use of any mechanized or motorized equipment or vehicles, including chain saws, gasoline generators, motorbikes, snowmobiles, hand-pushed carts, and mountain bikes is prohibited. The Act does stipulate some exceptions to these restrictions, including emergencies and administrative needs.

Because the Wilderness Act forbids the presence of permanent structures, camps must be kept simple and temporary. Rangers will ask you to cooperate in keeping camps and trails clean by disposing of even the most insignificant trash.

But the spirit of the Wilderness Act asks you to do more than simply restrict certain activities. It asks you to respect the land and natural ecosystem. By stating that a wilderness must be "affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable", Congress implied the necessity that you erase all trace of your presence while visiting the wilderness.

Only if you are careful with your fires, only if you pack out everything you pack in, only if you naturalize your campsites (LEAVE NO TRACE) will nature, and not the imprint of man, dominate the landscape. top

Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness

The Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness was created by the Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978. This wilderness is located in the northern Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon and encompasses 177,465 acres.

The majority of the wilderness is characterized by rugged basaltic ridges and outcroppings separated by deep canyons with steep side slopes. Elevations range from 2,000 feet on the Wild and Scenic Wenaha River to 6,401 feet at Oregon Butte. Plant communities vary widely from bunchgrass slopes to higher subalpine areas of lodgepole pine and subalpine fir.

Nearly every wildlife species present in the Blue Mountains can be found within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness including Rocky Mountain elk, bighorn sheep, whitetail and mule deer, black bear, cougar, coyote, and pine martens. Both the Tucannon and Wenaha Rivers provide good spawning habitat for Chinook salmon and steelhead.

The managed trail system within the wilderness totals over 200 miles. Trails are managed to provide a primitive, unconfined recreation experience as well as access to various portions of the wilderness. Several developed campgrounds are located at or near major trail heads around the perimeter of the wilderness.

The primary recreation activity within the wilderness has traditionally been elk hunting with a large number of hunters packing into the wilderness on horses each fall. Recently, however, there has been an increase in anglers and backpackers during the summer and early fall months. The area is very popular with horseback riders, and several trail heads are equipped to accommodate horses.

The normal hiking season is from June through November. Access to the wilderness can be gained in early spring along the Wenaha River near Troy, Oregon. Many higher elevation trail heads remain inaccessible through June. Most trails descend sharply into the rugged river canyons of the Wenaha and Tucannon Rivers and their tributaries. top

North Fork Umatilla Wilderness

The North Fork Umatilla Wilderness, located 30 miles east of Pendleton, is the smallest wilderness in northeast Oregon. It encompasses only 20,144 acres in Umatilla and Union counties. But this little wilderness feels much bigger for those who take the time to trek into the heart of the area and fully experience its variety of terrain and vegetation. Visitors find the area peaceful, yet challenging and enjoyable from early spring through late fall. Hunting, hiking, and equestrian use are important activities occurring in the wilderness.

Added to the Wilderness Preservation System on June 26, 1984, the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness is relatively new. One of the major driving forces behind this wilderness designation was the production of high-quality water from the North Fork Umatilla River.

The North Fork Umatilla River supports sizeable runs of anadromous fish, which makes this area a popular spot for anglers. There are also several streams within the wilderness that contain native trout, and a few streams support spawning steelhead.

The wilderness is characterized by terrain that varies from gentle, sloping hills to extremely steep, timbered canyons. The elevation in the area ranges from 2,000 to 6,000 feet, assuring a good workout for hikers and equestrians using the 27-mile trail system. The wild, unpredictable weather of the Blue Mountains also adds to the challenge anytime of the year.

If you enjoy hunting and spotting wildlife, the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness supports a good wildlife population. Since the elevation is relatively low, the trail system opens up early in the season, providing opportunities for spring hiking and horseback-riding trips. top

North Fork John Day Wilderness

From rolling benchlands to the granite outcrops of the Greenhorn Mountains, the rugged North Fork John Day Wilderness provides an abundance of natural diversity. The wilderness is known primarily for its big game (Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer) and its anadromous fish habitat. There are over 130 miles of perennial streams, 40 miles of which provide spawning habitat for Chinook salmon and steelhead.

The wilderness was established by the Oregon Wilderness Act of 1984. Its 121,800 acres include 85,000 acres in the North Fork John Day drainage and three smaller satellites: the Greenhorn and Tower Mountain Units, and the Baldy Creek Unit on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Six thousand acres of the Vinegar Hill-Indian Rock Scenic Area are also included. In 1988, a 39-mile segment of the North Fork John Day River was designated as a Wild and Scenic River.

The North Fork John Day Wilderness is located southeast of Ukiah, Oregon and northwest of Baker City, Oregon. The small town of Granite lies close to the eastern wilderness boundary.

Over 100 miles of trails serving this area are popular for both hiking and horseback riding. The nature of the area provides long-distance trips with significant elevation changes. The area is accessible from early spring to late fall from several trail heads located around its perimeter.

The North Fork John Day drainage was a bustling gold and silver mining area in the middle to late 1800's. Old mining structures, building foundations, waterworn rock, dredged ditches, and other traces are still visible of people who removed an estimated $10 million in gold and silver. top

Leave No Trace

Each wilderness traveler has a responsibility to protect wilderness values and the original intent of the Wilderness Act. In the past, wilderness survival was the ability of people to survive the wilderness. Today, wilderness survival more accurately describes the land's capability to survive the impact of people.

With increased leisure time and advances in lightweight gear, people are visiting wilderness in unprecedented numbers. What were accepted wilderness and camping practices just a few years ago are unacceptable today if we are to preserve the wilderness. Each wilderness visitor must practice minimum impact techniques in respect for the land and in consideration of those who follow.

Wilderness on the Umatilla National Forest can remain wild and scenic for future generations to enjoy if each visitor practices the following Leave No Trace guidelines:

• Travel in small groups; be quiet and unobtrusive. Respect solitude, one of the most valuable wilderness resources.
• Camp out of sight and sound of other campers and at least 200 feet from all rivers, streams, and trails. When possible, choose a campsite that has been previously used.
• Pick up and pack out all litter and trash, both yours and theirs! All waste should be completely burned or packed. Glass, cans, and aluminum foil do not burn.
• Use portable stoves whenever possible. They provide fast, clean heat for cooking, do not require sometimes-scarce firewood, and leave no trace.
• Do not alter the natural environment by building lean-tos, bough beds, or gear racks. Do not use wires and nails in trees or dig drainage ditches for your tent.
• Leave native plants, shrubs, trees, and standing snags as you found them. Scatter twigs, pine cones, or other natural debris over bare soil or trampled areas before leaving.
• Bury human waste and toilet paper 8 inches deep and 200 feet from any water source.
• Clean yourself, dishes, or fish at least 200 feet away from shorelines. Use only biodegradable soap.
• Pack in grains or hay pellets for horses whenever possible to avoid introducing noxious weeds. Make sure hay is weed free.

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USDA Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest
Last Modified:  Thursday, 07-May-2009 13:09:11 EDT