Central Cascades Fees
Posted: December 27th, 2019, 6:58 pm
I know this has been brought up numerous times, but the deadline to comment on the proposed fee schedule for the Central Cascades permit system is January 10th! Regardless of how you feel about the permit system, the fee schedule they have proposed is outrageous. $3 per person for day hiking plus $2 reservation fee and $5 per person per night for backpacking plus $6 reservation fee. Here's what that looks like: For me and my family (5 total) for a dayhike cost $17. For me and 3 of my friends to backpack 7 nights cost $146! I have bought multiple backcountry permits in national parks and Inyo national forest(eastern sierra) and never spent more than $45. And that was for 6 people!
My biggest concern, other than charging for day hiking, is the per person, per night fee schedule for backpacking. Spending $100-$200 on a backpacking trip permit in Oregon feels more like forest service budget balancing than resource protection. Inyo National forest has a similar trailhead quota system and charges $5/person, regardless of how many nights your trip is. Grand Teton National park charges $35 for backcountry permit($45 if you book in advance online) regardless of group size or number of nights. Why does Oregon feel like they have to re-invent the wheel?
Please go to Willamette national forest website to comment on this by Jan. 10th if you haven't already. I'd like to think they still have an open mind about this, although it feels overly optimistic.. But if we don't say anything, it will definitely do no good. I definitely don't believe our wilderness areas are meant only for the well off to enjoy.
My biggest concern, other than charging for day hiking, is the per person, per night fee schedule for backpacking. Spending $100-$200 on a backpacking trip permit in Oregon feels more like forest service budget balancing than resource protection. Inyo National forest has a similar trailhead quota system and charges $5/person, regardless of how many nights your trip is. Grand Teton National park charges $35 for backcountry permit($45 if you book in advance online) regardless of group size or number of nights. Why does Oregon feel like they have to re-invent the wheel?
Please go to Willamette national forest website to comment on this by Jan. 10th if you haven't already. I'd like to think they still have an open mind about this, although it feels overly optimistic.. But if we don't say anything, it will definitely do no good. I definitely don't believe our wilderness areas are meant only for the well off to enjoy.