Covid-19
Re: Covid-19
That makes it fairly clear. Note that developed includes all trailheads. Note that it says Mt Hood and the scenic area have similar rules. I doubt there will be a lot of enforcement, but in this case, enforcement is not hard. You're just not supposed to be out there unless you live there or have other special reasons. And recreation is not a valid reason. So if you are driving any forest roads to go hiking, you have no excuse if you do get asked/stopped.
Re: Covid-19
...Aaaaand now all of Central Oregon is pretty locked down:
https://ktvz.com/news/coronavirus/2020/ ... day-rivers
https://ktvz.com/news/coronavirus/2020/ ... day-rivers
BLM has preserved some access:the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests and the Crooked River National Grassland have temporarily closed all developed recreation sites, to include campgrounds, day-use sites, boat ramps, trailheads, Sno-Parks, fire lookouts, and OHV areas.
Visitors may continue to enjoy their BLM managed trails and open spaces in Oregon while following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Local and State public health authorities. Social distancing recommendations are extremely important to reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and may require that visitors avoid public lands during high-use times, such as weekends. Please limit any group activities to members of your household, and keep your total party to 10 or fewer participants. At all times, maintain a distance of six feet or more from other people.
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Re: Covid-19
Not just central Oregon. The entire PNW: https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/ ... 923554001/
In the quest to contain COVID-19, and follow state-issued orders for people to stay home, the U.S. Forest Service will close all developed recreation sites across both Oregon and Washington in coming days, the agency announced Friday.
The closures cover around 24 million acres of forest, mountains and coast spread across 17 national forests, two National Scenic Areas, a national grassland, and two National Volcanic Monuments.
The shutdown includes all hiking trails, campgrounds, sno-parks, boat ramps and OHV riding areas — any place that is considered a "developed recreation site," officials said.
Re: Covid-19
"In other forests, including Mount Hood and Deschutes national forests, dispersed use will be open but not encouraged.justpeachy wrote: ↑March 27th, 2020, 3:43 pmNot just central Oregon. The entire PNW: https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/ ... 923554001/
Dispersed use generally means driving on a Forest Service road to a remote location to camp or fish or bushwhack. "
I predict a sudden interest in our offtrail forum. Of course, some offtrail routes can still get a bit crowded sometimes, especially if they converge at a notable high point, so that's something to consider.
Last edited by Chip Down on March 27th, 2020, 6:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Covid-19
That would have been a perfect opportunity for a rickroll.A. Hugh Jass wrote: ↑March 27th, 2020, 5:52 amTake a look at my secret list of places to hike at dusk to night or early morning where you will not encounter anybody: https://www.oregonhikers.org/secret-list
Re: Covid-19
Which is surely not likely to result in more SARs as goobers suddenly try to OT without knowing what they're doing.Chip Down wrote: ↑March 27th, 2020, 6:27 pm"In other forests, including Mount Hood and Deschutes national forests, dispersed use will be open but not encouraged.justpeachy wrote: ↑March 27th, 2020, 3:43 pmNot just central Oregon. The entire PNW: https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/ ... 923554001/
Dispersed use generally means driving on a Forest Service road to a remote location to camp or fish or bushwhack. "
I predict a sudden interest in our offtrail forum.
#pnw #bestlife #bitingflies #favoriteyellowcap #neverdispleased
Re: Covid-19
The trajectory is unchanged. We are still on course to pass 50,000 cumulative dead in the United States on the 9th of April.
Re: Covid-19
Can someone clarify Skamania County closure - they seem to only restrict hiking and access to "hiking destinations", and not recreational activity or access in general (as opposed to USFS blanket ban in the Scenic Area).
Is it still legal to drive around in GPNF? What about car camping? Cycling/"bikepacking"? Fishing? I don't think they have answers figured out just yet.. The primary motivation for the order seems to be city people stopping at local businesses and spreading infection, and hikers are by far more numerous group. We'll wait and see.
Is it still legal to drive around in GPNF? What about car camping? Cycling/"bikepacking"? Fishing? I don't think they have answers figured out just yet.. The primary motivation for the order seems to be city people stopping at local businesses and spreading infection, and hikers are by far more numerous group. We'll wait and see.
Last edited by romann on March 28th, 2020, 5:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Covid-19
Skamania County restricted all "recreational hiking." Anyone parked for non-emergency purposes would be in violation. I called them about this and it extends to the whole county - you're not allowed to hike anywhere, regardless of whether or not it's on a trail or from a trailhead. So no access to the GPNF at this time.
#pnw #bestlife #bitingflies #favoriteyellowcap #neverdispleased
Re: Covid-19
Makes sense. I was hoping for a loophole but with no parking rule it looks like they wanted to close everything, just haven't worded it well. In the coming months we'll see more people coming there and how it works (or doesn't work out)