Hunting Washington Forum
Community => Advocacy, Agencies, Access => Topic started by: Onewhohikes on March 29, 2020, 04:56:58 AM
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https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2020/03/27/coronavirus-oregon-washington-covid-19-pacific-northwest-national-forests/2923554001/?fbclid=IwAR0QKaOgUBELlc4EtB4MHqmDLg_eDNgxD-kWZiMfNC-79ouzWK5nGQMuE98
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👎
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Mostly just "developed recreation sites." Not a popular opinion, I am sure, but this is a half measure.
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The USFS is doing similar closures across the country.
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So we are not under martial law, how can they shut down our national forest for hiking? Up north you can’t even walk on the trails of na forest land! So, what happens if I’m caught walking in the forest on na forest land? Arrest?
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Mostly just "developed recreation sites." Not a popular opinion, I am sure, but this is a half measure.
Full closure is coming.
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So we are not under martial law, how can they shut down our national forest for hiking? Up north you can’t even walk on the trails of na forest land! So, what happens if I’m caught walking in the forest on na forest land? Arrest?
Same way state lands are closed and fishing is closed. Technically a violation of the FS closure is a misdemeanor but you would just be cited.
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And they say closed until September 30th, unless rescinded earlier...
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mbs/alerts-notices/?aid=57349
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And they say closed until September 30th, unless rescinded earlier...
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mbs/alerts-notices/?aid=57349
Thay is only the Mt Baker Snoqualmie, Olympic is April 8th and will re-evaluate
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Yes, you need to go to each National Forest website individually as they're not all the same. Some of the NF offices in Oregon were getting tired of all the phone calls from us bear hunters about next Wednesday's opener that they have gone and clarified on their website that hunting is still open. :-)
Different national forests are closing more recreations sites than others. Some notices give more extensive details than others.
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Ridiculous IMO. Not helpful at all if these closures run more than a few weeks. Letting people go hiking/knocking about in the woods, is healthy with a very minimal risk factor. All these closures will simply pile people into the few available options left. :twocents:
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I was thinking at some point folks would realize these closures aren’t about going hiking or hunting or fishing.
It’s the traveling to and from that they’re trying to cut off. It’s a pretty simple concept to understand really. One member on here was angry about the fishing closure. His county in eastern Washington had only 2 cases less than a week ago when they closed fishing and it made no sense to him. They have 16 cases now. And that’s multiplied within the time frame of the stay home order. Wait until they close the entire NF because people won’t listen and are still ignoring the requests. Orders really.
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I was thinking at some point folks would realize these closures aren’t about going hiking or hunting or fishing.
It’s the traveling to and from that they’re trying to cut off. It’s a pretty simple concept to understand really. One member on here was angry about the fishing closure. His county in eastern Washington had only 2 cases less than a week ago when they closed fishing and it made no sense to him. They have 16 cases now. And that’s multiplied within the time frame of the stay home order. Wait until they close the entire NF because people won’t listen and are still ignoring the requests. Orders really.
Yes I perfectly understand why it's being done. I actually support it short term, but it cannot go more than a month really. At some point the cost surpasses the benefit.
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Totally agree with your time frame. Some people don’t.
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I think someone was a little to eager on the dates or was a typo fornthe MBS. Most other forests aren't that long. Will see tomorrow.
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So we are not under martial law, how can they shut down our national forest for hiking? Up north you can’t even walk on the trails of na forest land! So, what happens if I’m caught walking in the forest on na forest land? Arrest?
Same way state lands are closed and fishing is closed. Technically a violation of the FS closure is a misdemeanor but you would just be cited.
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Bigfoot is going to be in big trouble! :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
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Commercial mushroom hunting not allowed? Providing food that is essential.
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Boy Hitler sure is mad about this one
https://www.captiongenerator.com/1734652/Hitler-reacts-to-closure-of-National-Forest-trails
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And they say closed until September 30th, unless rescinded earlier...
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mbs/alerts-notices/?aid=57349
Thay is only the Mt Baker Snoqualmie, Olympic is April 8th and will re-evaluate
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https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/olympic/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD717436
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And they say closed until September 30th, unless rescinded earlier...
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mbs/alerts-notices/?aid=57349
Two ways of looking at it:
-Can play the whole "two more weeks" game and have to put out new press releases, signs, etc. every two weeks, have people think they're going to be able to go out only to have it canceled
-Say closed until Sept 30 unless opened earlier, same signs for the entire timeframe, one press release, people know it's going to be closed for the foreseeable future.
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:yeah:
Under-promise, over-deliver. It will be a pleasant surprise to lift restrictions early.
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:yeah:
Under-promise, over-deliver. It will be a pleasant surprise to lift restrictions early.
Fingers crossed.
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BLM just announced that their campgrounds and several day use sites are closing in Oregon and Washington. This follows the closure of BLM sites in California last week.
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We have been told to prepare for 8 to 12 weeks of telework and I have also been told they will follow what the state does. I would suspect the state of WA will extend to the end of April. FS will follow suit.
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:yeah:
Under-promise, over-deliver. It will be a pleasant surprise to lift restrictions early.
Fingers crossed.
Use the method often with work and kids. Say no first and if you change your mind people are happy. Say yes first and change your mind..... I think you get it.
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Closure notice for all of region 6. They all got on the same page.
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I called the Cle Elum ranger station last week since I was interested in going snowmobiling on the north side of I-90. The said the Gold Creek snow park was closed but I could drive up beyond the snow park, park my truck and ride on the Forest Service roads. Trails are also open, Forest Service lands are also open for recreation; you just can't use developed sites, or trail-head parking. Anything within 1/4 mile of a trail head is considered a "trail-head parking area". So I assume that if you just park 440 yards down the road you will be okay. Pretty ridiculous, but workable.
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Phased opening. https://files.constantcontact.com/0711d7af701/8a1b3201-9f5c-440d-9cf8-bf94713ad4c6.pdf (https://files.constantcontact.com/0711d7af701/8a1b3201-9f5c-440d-9cf8-bf94713ad4c6.pdf)
Phased Reopening of Forest Service Recreation Facilities Everett, Wash. – Starting May 22, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (MBS) will begin a phased reopening of trailheads, day-use areas, and other developed recreation sites. “We are making every effort to expand access within the context of CDC guidelines and state and local government orders for residents,” said Nicole Branton, acting forest supervisor. “To align with our Washington State partners, we will be reopening sites where we can do so safely.” Most trailheads and day use facilities will reopen on May 22. Campgrounds will remain closed during this first phase so forest staff and concessionaires can prepare them for operation. Additionally, some trailheads and day-use areas are still snow covered or inaccessible due to winter storm damage and may remain closed until access can be restored. Restrooms will be closed; garbage service and water facilities will be unavailable. Visitors should plan to be as self-sufficient as possible, this includes bringing their own water, knowing how to properly dispose of human and dog waste, and packing out all garbage. “The level of service we can provide will depend on several factors, including workforce capacity, and the ability to provide services in a manner that is safe for our employees,” public
services staff officer Mike Schlafmann said. “Many operational tasks we normally do to prepare for opening recreation sites have been delayed, we will be working to complete these tasks and prepare for sites to open while protecting the health and safety of our employees, volunteers, partners, recreation providers, and the public. Forest visitors are encouraged to know before they go. Check ahead of time to find out what local conditions and closures may be. Please help protect and respect your public lands and follow social distancing guidelines when in parking areas, trailheads, and on trails.
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Yesterday the dawg took me for a car ride. Turned into the campground there was no host. The boat launch was open, but someone had tore out the gates to the camp site's and they were replaced with the plastic barriers. :bash: :bash:
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The wife and I took the doggies for a ride last weekend. Stopped at the top of snoqualmie to go on a little hike. All kinds of closed signs?
Going to catch it outside
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Last Sunday on an essential drive on Mt Loop Hwy. Most campgrounds were locked, but one had the gate open and half a dozen camps set up. Garbage cans were over flowing :yike:
Also a good dozen or more dispersed camps set up
Trailheads were packed!
Appears no one is patrolling up there :dunno:
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Last Sunday on an essential drive on Mt Loop Hwy. Most campgrounds were locked, but one had the gate open and half a dozen camps set up. Garbage cans were over flowing :yike:
Also a good dozen or more dispersed camps set up
Trailheads were packed!
Appears no one is patrolling up there :dunno:
:yeah:
Took the family up the Mountain Loop Highway on Sunday and found a spot by the river with no one around. Had a mini picnic and played around by the Sandbar. Decided to drive around and check out the campgrounds and all the trailheads. All the campgrounds were closed except for Red Bridge which is probably the one you are talking about? All the trailheads like Heather Lake, Lake 22, Mount Pilchuck and the gate at Deer Creek we're all packed full of cars at least 40 cars per trailhead minimum. And the cars were piling up on the highway and on the sides of the Forest Service Roads. You are right there is zero patrolling up there. They are opening up the gate on the highway at Deer Creek tomorrow so all the campgrounds FS roads and trails beyond that are now accessible.
Edit: The gate at Deer Creek opened today.
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Last Sunday on an essential drive on Mt Loop Hwy. Most campgrounds were locked, but one had the gate open and half a dozen camps set up. Garbage cans were over flowing :yike:
Also a good dozen or more dispersed camps set up
Trailheads were packed!
Appears no one is patrolling up there :dunno:
:yeah:
Took the family up the Mountain Loop Highway on Sunday and found a spot by the river with no one around. Had a mini picnic and played around by the Sandbar. Decided to drive around and check out the campgrounds and all the trailheads. All the campgrounds were closed except for Red Bridge which is probably the one you are talking about? All the trailheads like Heather Lake, Lake 22, Mount Pilchuck and the gate at Deer Creek we're all packed full of cars at least 40 cars per trailhead minimum. And the cars were piling up on the highway and on the sides of the Forest Service Roads. You are right there is zero patrolling up there. They are opening up the gate on the highway at Deer Creek tomorrow so all the campgrounds FS roads and trails beyond that are now accessible.
Who exactly is supposed to be patrolling?
From what I heard from a reliable source you aren’t going to get stopped by the state patrol...
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Last Sunday on an essential drive on Mt Loop Hwy. Most campgrounds were locked, but one had the gate open and half a dozen camps set up. Garbage cans were over flowing :yike:
Also a good dozen or more dispersed camps set up
Trailheads were packed!
Appears no one is patrolling up there :dunno:
:yeah:
Took the family up the Mountain Loop Highway on Sunday and found a spot by the river with no one around. Had a mini picnic and played around by the Sandbar. Decided to drive around and check out the campgrounds and all the trailheads. All the campgrounds were closed except for Red Bridge which is probably the one you are talking about? All the trailheads like Heather Lake, Lake 22, Mount Pilchuck and the gate at Deer Creek we're all packed full of cars at least 40 cars per trailhead minimum. And the cars were piling up on the highway and on the sides of the Forest Service Roads. You are right there is zero patrolling up there. They are opening up the gate on the highway at Deer Creek tomorrow so all the campgrounds FS roads and trails beyond that are now accessible.
Who exactly is supposed to be patrolling?
From what I heard from a reliable source you aren’t going to get stopped by the state patrol...
The forest service patrols up there all the time. At least pre covid-19 they did. They write hundreds of tickets a weekend for parking on the Mountain Loop Highway on the over crowded trails. And for no forest service recreational pass. Also the Snohomish County Sheriff has the contract for law enforcement all the way through the Mountain Loop Highway to Darrington. Those are the two who typically patrol up there.
If the trailheads were supposedly closed for the last month and a half you would think they would be up there writing tickets for all the cars parked up there. :dunno: but who knows.? The DNR has been writing tickets and towing cars from places like Mount Si and Mailbox Peak out of North Bend.
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Last Sunday on an essential drive on Mt Loop Hwy. Most campgrounds were locked, but one had the gate open and half a dozen camps set up. Garbage cans were over flowing :yike:
Also a good dozen or more dispersed camps set up
Trailheads were packed!
Appears no one is patrolling up there :dunno:
:yeah:
Took the family up the Mountain Loop Highway on Sunday and found a spot by the river with no one around. Had a mini picnic and played around by the Sandbar. Decided to drive around and check out the campgrounds and all the trailheads. All the campgrounds were closed except for Red Bridge which is probably the one you are talking about? All the trailheads like Heather Lake, Lake 22, Mount Pilchuck and the gate at Deer Creek we're all packed full of cars at least 40 cars per trailhead minimum. And the cars were piling up on the highway and on the sides of the Forest Service Roads. You are right there is zero patrolling up there. They are opening up the gate on the highway at Deer Creek tomorrow so all the campgrounds FS roads and trails beyond that are now accessible.
Who exactly is supposed to be patrolling?
From what I heard from a reliable source you aren’t going to get stopped by the state patrol...
The forest service patrols up there all the time. At least pre covid-19 they did. They write hundreds of tickets a weekend for parking on the Mountain Loop Highway on the over crowded trails. And for no forest service recreational pass. Also the Snohomish County Sheriff has the contract for law enforcement all the way through the Mountain Loop Highway to Darrington. Those are the two who typically patrol up there.
If the trailheads were supposedly closed for the last month and a half you would think they would be up there writing tickets for all the cars parked up there. :dunno: but who knows.? The DNR has been writing tickets and towing cars from places like Mount Si and Mailbox Peak out of North Bend.
Got it 👍.
Could be that they were told not to make contact unless it is a serious crime?
I know everywhere I’ve been during “quarantine” from Yakima to Chewelah there are still plenty of people outdoors. Highway 2s traffic has picked up plenty since fishing and hunting reopened