USFS: Some roads to stay closed in Tumalo Winter Range
The Deschutes National Forest reminded the public Tuesday that some roads in the Tumalo Winter Range Cooperative Area, which usually reopen in April, will remain closed due to an overlapping closure for thinning and forest restoration work in the West Bend Project area.
These roads will not be reopened due to public safety concerns until the West Bend closure is lifted, officials said..
The roads within the Tumalo Winter Range Cooperative Area that will remain gated and closed include Forest Road 4604 at Phil’s Trailhead, Forest Road 4604 at the junction with Forest Road 4610, and Forest Road 400 across from Widgi Creek Golf Course.
The map of the Tumalo Winter Range Cooperative Area can be found at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/maps/travel_management_areas/tumalo.pdf
The map of the complete West Bend closure area can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/west-bend/public-information/
Update on West Bend Project: Contractors currently are commercially thinning, masticating (mowing), and doing other forest restoration work on an 8,250-acre area within the 26,000-acre West Bend Project.
The Forest Service expects to finish work in the most popular mountain biking trail areas, including Phil’s Trail and Marvin’s Gardens by October, or sooner if possible. As work is completed and areas are safe to enter the closure will be reduced in size.
Operators working on large equipment cutting and moving trees in the unit cannot see people walking through the area and may not be able to prevent an accident . In addition, mastication causes debris to hurl over 500 feet from the equipmen t.
Given these safety hazards, the Forest Service has implemented a full area closure from Monday through Friday until the project is completed. The area is available to the public every weekend.
Trail closures include: Phil’s Trail, Marvin’s Garden, The Lair, COD, Elfin Magic, Grand Slam, and others. Road closures include Forest Road 4610 from Skyliners to Cascade Lakes Highway and a portion of Forest Road 4615.
The Forest Service encourages visitors to KNOW BEFORE YOU GO by bookmarking our interactive map http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/west-bend/public-information/
For information on where to ride during the closure, people can contact the Bend Fort-Rock Ranger District (541-383-4000), Central Oregon Trail Alliance, local outfitters and guides, or local bike shops. Here is a general list of places for people to ride during the closure:
Early Season (Now-May 15 th ) : East of Bend, Horse Butte, Horse Ridge, Cline Buttes area (Maston, Juniper, Tumalo Canals – Between Tumalo and Eagle Crest), Peterson Ridge (Sisters), Radlands (Redmond), Lower 66 (Prineville) and Grey Butte/Skull Hollow (Smith Rock)
Mid-Season (May 15-August 15): Wanoga area trails, Swampy area trails, Skyliner area trails, Mt Bachelor Bike Park, Mrazek Trail through Tumalo Falls and/or Shevlin Park, Newberry Crater and Swamp Wells Trails (late June opening) and Ochocos area trails (late June opening)
Late Season (August 15-snow season) All trails listed in Mid-Season plus: Flagline to Swampy area and the High Lakes area.
