Pole Creek Burn Area on Three Sisters Loop

[subra1228]

Hi,
Our trip was canceled last year due to the fires, so already looking forward to hiking the Loop around Three Sisters this summer. (Fingers crossed!! ) I know this has been discussed, but I can't seem to find any information - is there really no camping availability (legal) in the Pole Creek Burn area? Anyone know anything about the road to the Pole Creek TH? We may just start there since time-wise, we'd end-up smack in the middle of the no-camping zone the first night we'll be out. (Assuming a Lava Lake TH start.)

Thanks & Happy Hiking this summer!
Suzanne

[retired jerry]

I went through there a couple years ago. They may allow camping in the burn area this year.

Two years ago you could camp north and south of the burn area.

South of the burn area is a lake with drinking water and camp spots.

Near the north end is Alder Creek. You can get drinking water there but camping not allowed because it's in the burn area, but 1 mile north is outside the burn area and a nice spot to camp. And 1 mile south of Alder Creek the trail briefly leaves the burn area and there are nice spots to camp.

[Water]

I'd enjoy a status update on this. Here's my email from 2015..

I understand your frustration with the no camping or off-trail travel within the Pole Creek fire area. We are continuing the closure due to the minimal re-growth of vegetation. The fire burned extremely hot through there and this has hindered plant growth. The area receives large amounts of visitor use and we want to minimize soil erosion in the area to encourage plant establishment and reduce sedimentation of riparian ecosystems.



You have a valid point about not being current information out there. I will work with our public affairs officer to make our information accessible, accurate and timely.



Thank you for your comment. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me at the number or e-mail below.



Forest Service Shield

Jason Fisher
Natural Resource Specialist - Wilderness

Forest Service

Deschutes National Forest

541-480-6423
[email protected]

63095 Deschutes Market Rd,
Bend, OR 97701
www.fs.fed.us
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Caring for the land and serving people

Hello,



May 15th 2013 you announced the closure/restriction to designated trails only, with no camping or off-trail travel. In that release you said this would be in effect at least through that summer and fall. Two years later and the closure is still on. When can the public expect to be able to use this area of our national forest without threat of fine and/or jail? Why is there not an updated press release explaining the change from the optimistic ("at least" to our current situation 2 years later.



Additionally you should post a link to the closure on all of your Trailhead and Trail pages that area affected by this-not have it on page 4 or 5 on the current conditions PDF.

[BassMasterK]

Is there a specific place where they would list if there were a camping restriction? I'm not seeing anything on the Forest Service website for the Pole Creek Trailhead, nor in their "Alerts and Notices" section, and they don't say anything about a camping restriction on their Summer Trail Access and Conditions pdf dated for July 6th - 20th, 2018.

Trying to plot out a rough itinerary for my son and my trip around the loop. One of the places we were planning on camping is in this zone so it would be nice to know for sure before we get out there.