Oregon Hikers

I see this statement in the news that “developed trailheads” are closed. What exactly are they? Anything with a toilet? Anything with parking? What exactly is a developed trailhead?

Thanks! Mike / “GoalTech”

As far as I can tell, it's not defined. I've seen the term written numerous times associated with trail closures but never defined. It appears they rushed out the policy in a legally incomplete way. To further confuse the issue, USFS trails are open but developed trailheads are closed. That leaves a lot of arguable wiggle room in the remote chance of being confronted by an enforcement authority.

mjirving wrote: ↑

May 23rd, 2020, 3:45 am

I see this statement in the news that “developed trailheads” are closed. What exactly are they? Anything with a toilet? Anything with parking? What exactly is a developed trailhead?

Thanks! Mike / “GoalTech”

I depends on the National Forest for some it's only Trail heads with toilets or requiring the NWFP. I can tell you that around Mt. Hood it's every trailhead! But there are still plenty of options to get where you want to go if you can walk a little further than usual.

You can tell that a trailhead is a developed trailhead because it has a "closed" sign by it

For those, you have to park down the road a bit

For any place "closed" or "open", if there's a crowd go someplace else

(just trying to be humorous )

Thanks. Yeah I haven’t seen any “closed” signs as I haven’t been out there exploring yet.

I think all trailheads are "developed" - anywhere an officially maintained trail starts. But if the trail just crosses some forest road, not so. Practically-speaking, probably requires some parking space. But I don't think it is the same as a NWFP trailhead.

deduction from very small data set

USFS trailheads are closed

BLM trailheads are not

Based on progress so far, soon, trailheads will be opened

mjirving wrote: ↑

May 23rd, 2020, 3:45 am

I see this statement in the news that “developed trailheads” are closed.

I'm not remembering that being the term used by the USFS when discussing the closures. What I recall is a phrase such as 'developed recreation sites, such as campgrounds and trailheads, are closed'.

Anyway, my clear impression is that all trailheads have been closed - at least until recently. Right now, of course, the situation is in the process of getting more fluid and less clear in everyone's minds. In a week or two things are likely to be better defined and easier to sort out.

This term is being used in the Oregonian as they summarize all open and closed places.

I’m hoping to do an overnight for my 50th birthday the night of 6/1. I’m open to suggestions if my target site isn’t open by then. Seems that non-gorge Washington might be an option? Thoughts?