Roads closed 342

[TangoU]

It gets confusing.  The Green Dot Road Management System is "intra-agency".  Green dot roads are a cooperative road management
program between public land management agencies, primarily DNR and WDFW, but can also include other agencies, and in some cases private landowners.

In the Green Dot Road Management System, all roads in the management area are closed unless posted open with a green dot. As mentioned above, some roads have a red dot on them, but that's rare.  The rule is "Road closed unless explicitly marked with a green dot." Roads identified as “green dot roads” on green dot maps and posted with a round green reflector on white markers are open to public motor vehicles. Green dot maps are free and available at WDFW and DNR offices. You can also get the maps from WDFW and DNR web sites.  They often have them at check stations, too, during the season. Persons violating the green dot system can be subject to prosecution pursuant to W.A.C. 232.12.187.

Which roads are open or closed are subject to change, usually reviewed annually, or if conditions warrant (like a wash out).

This annual change process is what got me.  The latest map I had was 2006 I believe.  On that map, my road was open; it was actually outside the Green Dot Road Management System. As far as I can tell, in 2009, the green dot boundary changed and my road entered the system and was not opened with a green dot. The state published an updated green dot map of the Wenas area in October 09. Unfortunately, I did not look for an updated map before elk season. I will this year.

[high country]

at least he did not cite you for it. I know two guys that were on a non dotted road in the area and were cited.......bad deal for them.

[TangoU]

Resurrecting this with an update. My dad spoke last week with a guy at DNR that we've been conversing with for the past several months. Good guy, btw. Few interesting points to share from that discussion:

1. Of course we've been lobbying him hard to open a short portion of what we call "Cow Canyon Road" so that we can access our camp.  To recap, this road was closed sometime before the 2009 mod rifle elk season when the overall area was added to the green dot system. He felt that part of the road could probably be opened, but was unable to get the necessary survey and engineering resources to do it. "Maybe next year." --DNR.

2. The green dot road situation has not changed from the published 2009 map (can be found here: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_rec_wenas_greendot_map_09.pdf). Subject to road closures at any time of course. One thing to keep in mind: non-green dot roads don't magically become green dot roads during hunting season.  Study this map, because many roads that used to be open in this area are no longer open. This includes the road commonly known as the "Rocky Prairie Road".  This road is not open where it is on state land. I witnessed people who had dug up green dot stakes and tried to re-plant them on Rocky Prairie Road in a failed attempt to claim the road was dotted.  Only the western-most portion on federal land is open.

3. Last year was treated as a "notification" year for enforcement purposes.  We had not printed an updated green dot map since 06 I believe when we got a visit from WDFW LE last year at our camp.  Nice enough guy, gave us a warning along with a copy of the new 2009 map, made us move our vehicles out to the green dot road (about 3/4 of a mile from our camp now). Told us they were primarily giving out warnings because the change were new.  The exception is if they already gave you a warning or for an otherwise flagrant violation, then expect a ticket. High Country, sounds like this may have been the case with the two guys you know who were cited? I know I heard during the season last year of at least a few people warned on Rocky Prairie who were subsequently cited because they were caught a second time.

4. This year, they will be ticketing with no warnings if you drive on a closed road.  If you set up a camp off a closed road, they will make you tear down the camp.  And will give you a ticket.  WDFW LE and DNR LE will be patrolling the roads. 

5. He commented that "unfortunately, hunters are not a very organized bunch. Off-roaders and equestrians are very organized. They have clubs and action committees.  When there are land use discussions, they state their case on behalf of their members.  Hunters rarely show up to provide feedback."  So... any other 342 hunters interested in the roads situation in the area? It would be great to have more than people with my last name show up at a land use meeting next year.

-Allen

 

[Dslayer]

There have been some changes since 2009.  Hardy Canyon road is closed and they've opened a road up Wood Camp Canyon Ridge. 

[THunt]

Dslayer- Where do you see these changes?  I looked on the DNR website and found the same map as posted above.  It didnt show that Hardy Canyon was closed or the ridgeroad Up Wood Camp was open? Where did you get this info.

Thanks Tyler

[kirkl]

hardy is closed. they had signs up last year during elk season saying it would be closed this season and i took a look and it is closed. they have a new road up to the top now, been up it a few times already..

[bobcat]

I rode that Hardy Canyon road on a Honda trail bike last year in September when I was helping to scout for my friend's Observatory early rifle elk permit. Man I would NOT want to do that again! It's pretty generous calling that a road!  It will make a good hiking trail.   

[THunt]

I agree that Hardy is a bit sketchy.  I was more concerend about the other road mentioned.  Woodcamp ridge road is open. I really hope that is not ture, that is right where I hunt and I have a big bull tag this year.

[6x6in6]

DNR really stepped up the patrol of this area 2 years ago.  In talking with them in the summer of '08 they were going to be in an "informative" role for that summer and the fall seasons.  They planned to step up the potential for fines in '09 to the flagrant by distance, the obnoxious individual(s) and the repeat offenders from the previous year (yes, they at least were taking down license plates). 
In talking with them again this summer, they are now in a pretty much a zero tolerence mode. 
Not only the green dot road driving/camp violations but also enforcement of the distance one can camp/drive a vehicle from a green dot road.

[kirkl]

its true, woodcamp road is gonna be a zoo come general season. its a pretty nice road clear till the top. gonna be alot of road hunters. better kill him the first week before the general starts. you can glass alot of wood camp from the road. my cousin has a bull tag in there this year also.

[THunt]

Dang well that puts a big hitch in my plan but I will figure something out. Thanks for the info guys.  Does it show those two changes on any maps?  Cant find it.


Do you know if its W-1640 that goes all the way to the bottom past Bobs camp or is it W-1100 that goes all the way down?

Thanks Tyler

[Dslayer]

It pretty much follows the 1100 road on the map. 

[THunt]

Great thanks for all the advice hopefully I will kill a big one.

[THunt]

Kirk,

We will be camped at the top of Woodcamp if your up that way swing in.

[kirkl]

ya i may if i get down in there. what u drivin.