Umpqua National Forest

Recreational Activities

Things to Know About Wilderness

Hunting and Fishing

The Wilderness is home to many game animals, including deer and elk, and to many fish, such as the various species of trout. State of Oregon licenses are required for hunting and fishing in the area.

Weather

High altitude weather can change very quickly. Even during good weather, mountain temperatures are always cooler, particularly at night. Several layers of wool are better than one heavy layer of clothing. Feet take time to adjust to boots and trail travel. Laced boots, well broken-in, and two pair of socks will help you avoid becoming footsore. An extra pair of light shoes for nights in camp will ease tired feet and at the same time be easier on the environment.

Fire Danger

Instead of smoking while riding or hiking, stop at a safe place to smoke, then extinguish the smoke before leaving. Each party traveling with a pack string must carry a water container of one gallon or more capacity, a 36-inch shovel with an eight-inch blade and an axe with at least a two-pound head and a 26-inch handle, if a campfire is planned.

Ten survival Essentials

Survival in the wilderness depends on careful planning and proper equipment. The ten basic survival items for any camping trip are:

1. map of the area
2. compass
3. flashlight
4. sunglasses
5. extra food and water
6. extra clothing
7. waterproof matches
8. candle or fuel tablets
9. first aid kit
10. pocket knife

Warning

Only water from developed systems at recreation sites is maintained safe to drink. Open water sources are easily contaminated by human or animal waste. Water from springs, lakes, ponds and streams should not be drunk without proper treatment. A recommended method of treatment is to bring clear water to a rolling boil for 5 minutes.

Without a Trace

Wilderness can remain wild for future generations to know and love if we use it today without leaving a trace. After you pass by, the wilderness can be the same as when you arrived if you leave no evidence to make it less wild. You can protect this irreplaceable resource by leaving no trace of your presence.

Garbage

Garbage should never be buried. Much of it does not easily decompose; years later, people still can find places where garbage was buried. Burn what you can. Remove aluminum foil and other unburned material from the fire place. Pack it out with everything else. Plastic bags are good for carrying out the non burnable materials.

Living Plants

The growing season in the Wilderness is very short. Cutting live plants may cause permanent harm to the environment. Do not pick or collect flowers. Never cut a standing tree, even if it is dead. Snags are often home for wildlife and can add a picturesque dimension to wilderness scenery

Human Waste

Human waste can be easily disposed of. Select a screened spot at least 100 feet from open water use a shovel, trowel or stick, and dig a hole no deeper than six to eight inches taking advantage of the soil's natural ability to decompose organic material. After use, fill the hole with loose soil and then tramp in the sod.

Horses

Forage for pack and saddle animals may be very limited. Pelletized feed or certified weed-free feed is required in all Washington and Oregon wildernesses and at wilderness trailheads. Hobble horses rather than picket them. Avoid even temporary tying of horses to trees. If grazing, rotate horses through an area. Keep animals 200 feet away from camp or water.

Weed Free Feed

• As part of a larger effort to reduce invasive species on national forest lands, weed-free feed is being required of those using Wildernesses in the Pacific Northwest this year. A new requirement – part of a larger regional study on invasive species – says that all feed used on forests be weed-free by 2009.
  Press Release for Regional Weed-Free feed and mulch order, April 20, 2007 (30 kb pdf)
• Pacific Northwest Region Informational Web Site
• State of Oregon State Informational Web Site
  

Campfires and Firewood

Firewood in some areas may be very scarce, and campfires should not be built at all in other spots. It is advisable to check at Ranger Stations or at trail head registration stations to learn about current conditions and regulations.

If a fire is necessary, an existing fire ring should be used. Each fire can kill vegetation and make sites unattractive.

Fires should be kept small. Completely extinguish fires with water, checking the heat of the ashes with your hand to make sure the fire is out. Do not bury fire with dirt.

Gather small firewood from forested areas away from your campsite. In some areas, particularly upper elevation meadows and places where people have camped for many years, trees have been stripped and the ground has been picked clean of wood suitable for campfires. For this reason, it is becoming increasingly common for hikers to carry small, portable backpacking stoves using alcohol, propane or gas. A stove makes cooking easier, faster, and eliminates black, soot-covered pots. You'll have no worries about finding dry firewood during rainy weather.

Hiking

No-trace camping involves every aspect of wilderness use. To reduce impact on areas, avoid holidays and weekends. Also, avoid the more popular areas. When walking, stay on the trail in single file, and never short-cut switchbacks.,Go cross country only in rocky or timbered areas. For safety, study this topographic map carefully to plan your trip. Take into account uphill travel, remembering that it consumes time and energy. Hike with at least one other person for safety and to enjoy the pleasures of companionship. Plan to arrive at least an hour before sunset to set up camp. Be sure someone knows where you are going and when you intend returning.

Size of Group

Plan to visit the Wilderness in small groups. Large groups are very destructive to wilderness. allowable group size varies by wilderness

Boulder Creek

Maximum party size, including livestock, is 12.

Mt. Thielsen and Rogue-Umpqua Divide

Maximum party size, including livestock, is 20. There is a maximum of 12 people or 12 head of livestock per group.

What To Do If Lost

• Keep calm. Do not walk aimlessly. Trust your map and compass. Shelter and warmth are much more important than food.
• To find your position, climb to a place where you can see the surrounding country.
• When you reach a road, trail or telephone line, follow it. As a last resort follow a stream downhill.
• Before being caught by darkness, select a sheltered spot and prepare camp, shelter and firewood. Stay in this camp all night.
• If you are injured and alone, keep calm. Stay where you are, clear an area down to mineral soil and build a signal fire. Green boughs will create heavy smoke.
• Three signals of any kind, either audible or visible, is the nationwide SOS call. Examples are three blasts from a whistle, three regulated puffs of smoke or three flashes from a mirror or flashlight. Repeat at regular intervals. If it is recognized by a searching party. it will be answered by two signals. Use it only when in need of help.

Notify the county Sheriff's office if a member of your party is believed to be lost or in trouble and you cannot find or assist him or her. Forest Service officers cooperate with the county officials in rescue work.

Oregon Cascades Recreation Area

The Oregon Cascades Recreation Area is a unique area created by Congress in 1984 to manage, protect and enhance recreational values. The 157,000-acre area includes portions of the Umpqua, Willamette, and Deschutes National Forests. The Mt. Thielsen and Diamond Peak Wildernesses lie totally within the recreation area. The areas lie totally within the recreation area. The area is managed to provide a wide range of recreational opportunities, including some motorized use in designated areas only.