Oregon Hikers

Did Fanton to Tumala a couple weekends ago and folks were target shooting across one of the gravel roads trail #505 crosses. Exceptionally stressful. DIsturbing debris along the trail too. Is it just me or does FR 4614 seems to have a cursed vibe?

4614 is one of the "rougher" spots down the Clackamas. It is pretty close to town which probably makes it more attractive and now that the Memaloose road has been closed for a long time, people are finding all sorts of bad places to shoot.

Much of the entire Clackamas River Ranger District is one big shooting range, it seems. There are tons of target shooters on Hillockburn Road / Road 45. Even though it is massively unsafe, I've seen target shooters at the Hillockburn Trailhead shooting at targets set up ON THE TRAIL. There's a "no target shooting" sign where you turn onto 4610 from Highway 224 and yet you see people target shooting along that road. Everywhere you go in that district there is trash, thousands of shotgun shells, and illegal OHV roads. You can't hike anywhere to enjoy peace and quiet because there are so many target shooters everywhere.

When I expressed my concerns to that ranger district they told me that there was only one law enforcement officer covering 440,000 acres of land.

Five of us hiked the Fanton Trail to Tumala Mtn today 6/25/2020. We didn't hear any shooting at all and there was no trash at the middle trailhead. The trail did have a few trees down but they were maneuverable. The rhodies were just starting to bloom up higher, but there were carpets of Avalanche Lilies. We had the trail to ourselves and basked in the sun at the top with the great views of Mt. Hood.

LakeOHiker, glad to hear it. It's a lovely hike, I just don't think I'll return for a minute after jogging down from Mt. Tumala and having to time my crossing because someone is shooting down a road I have to cross.

justpeachy, that's depressing, but helpful to know. I'm guessing based on the 4610 sign on Twin Springs Trailhead page that's also still Gun City up there? I dig the foothills but I don't want to get perforated.

birdhead_j wrote: ↑

June 29th, 2020, 9:09 am

I'm guessing based on the 4610 sign on Twin Springs Trailhead page that's also still Gun City up there?

Not sure about that one. It's a lot harder to get to since you have to drive something like ten miles of pretty rough road, if I remember correctly.

I've never had any trouble from twin springs trailhead. The roads not terrible but need Subaru or higher clearance.