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ATV's, All Terrain
Vehicles, and Quads are the most popular names used for these
Off-Road Vehicles. They are fairly new to the forest when you
realize that Jeep type vehicles have been recreating on this
district since 1945. Motorcycles have been around since the early
60's, so they have a 40+-year presence. While ATV's have been
around for more then a decade it is only in the last five years
we have begun seeing a strong presence on the Cle Elum Ranger
District.
We have seen an increasing amount of illegal ATV use,
riding on roads and in areas where their use is illegal. Some
of the problems we are having managing ATV's are that the legal
opportunities for riding a ATV here are limited to 4x4 trails,
of which we have 100 miles. These are true 4x4 trails which are
very steep and rough. Over 50% of the feedback I get from ATV
users is that most of these trails are too difficult for their
liking or skill level. Within the Districts ability we'd like
to find suitable legal opportunities for ATV use.
1. There
are many ideas of how to try to accommodate and manage ATV's
on this Ranger District, but we are still in the brainstorming
stages.
2. ATV issues
and directions to manage them will be included in the next Wenatchee
National Forest Plan. This revision is in the works now (Fall
of 2002) and ATV users should review and provide input at the
public hearings.
3. In developing
the specific Cle Elum R.D. plans for ATV's all comments are welcome.
We would especially like ideas from active ATV users, organizations
and dealers.
Send comments
to
Mikki Douglass
mdouglass@fs.fed.us
Existing ATV
Opportunities on the Cle Elum Ranger District
ATV's are allowed on any signed-system 4x4 trail. All of the
4x4 trails are shown on the Cle Elum ORV map. A free ORV map
is downloadable from the map link of this website.
The three
main areas that are most popular are:
1. Buck
Meadows drainage. The two campgrounds that have legal access
are Riders Campground and Manastash Campground. (See campgrounds
and trail heads on home page for details on these two ORV campgrounds).
Note: The lower trails (ATV 30) leaving Manastash Campground
are old roads converted to an ATV trail. The higher trails can
be most difficult for ATV's.
2. Liberty
4x4 system off Hwy. 97 by the town of Liberty. ATV users
in this area have to unload at either a dispersed campsite, a
trailhead or a 4x4 trail crossing a road. The Williams Creek
campground by the town of Liberty does not have legal access
to the trail system for non-street legal ORV users. ATV's and
some motorcycles do not meet Washington state laws for being
street legal. Note: trails range from more difficult to most
difficult in this area.
3. Gallagher
Lake and Van Eppe Pass 4x4 trails. This trailhead is located
about 10 miles north of Lake Cle Elum on road number 4330. There
are about 12 miles of 4x4 trails located in this drainage and
the trails for the most part are user friendly to ATV's (not
to difficult).
REMEMBER
In all area on the Ranger District you must stay on the signed/system
trails that are open to your vehicles use.
ATV's are not allowed on single tread trails.
ATV's and some Motorcycles do not meet Washington state laws
for being street legal and are not allowed on Forest Service
roads. The Fine is $100.00
For more information about ATV's contact the Cle Elum ORV Rangers.
Mikki Douglass
509-852-1051 -- ORV Desk
mdouglass@fs.fed.us
Cle Elum Ranger District
Wenatchee N. F.
509-852-1100
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