FS lifts West Bend Project Deschutes River trail closures

The Deschutes National Forest has lifted the temporary weekday closure of a portion of the Deschutes River Trail, officials said Wednesday. But restoration work continues in the area, resulting in a reroute of the Catch and Release Trail between the Storm King and Forest Road 490 junctions. Recreationists will be rerouted onto Forest Road 41 for this portion of the trail.

Additionally, West Bend Project contractors will begin hauling mulch along Forest Road 4604. While no closures are in place, recreationists should be aware of increased truck traffic. Signs will be posted on Marvin’s Garden Trail at the intersection with the 4604 to alert users to potential traffic.

Mulch-moving operations could last up to a few months. Visitors traveling along the 4604 may also notice isolated smoking stumps following a prescribed burn completed on May 22 .

Road, trail and area closures are in place where restoration work is occurring, to protect the public. Operators on large equipment cutting and moving trees cannot see people and may not be able to prevent a serious injury to someone walking or riding in an area. In addition, mastication causes debris to fly across areas and can throw material over 500 feet from the equipment. As work is completed and areas are safe to enter, area closures will be reduced in size.

For your safety, we ask that you know about road, trail and area closures before you visit the forest and plan your trip accordingly.

If people are out on the weekend and need more information, the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station will be open seven days a week beginning Memorial Day weekend.

Area closure:

The area generally between Cascade Lakes Highway, Storm King Trail, Voodoo Trail and COD is closed to cross country travel.

Trails closed Monday – Friday :

COD Trail from intersection 32 at Storm King Trail to the Welcome Station at intersection 21 Grand Slam Trail between Storm King at intersection 27 to intersection 15 at Voodoo Trail Catch & Release Trail rerouted onto Forest Road 41 between Storm King and Forest Road 490 junctions All other area trails including Storm King, Voodoo and ELV are OPEN 7 days a week.

Portions of the following roads are closed 7 days a week:

4610000; 4612200; 4612208; 4612246; 4615000

The gates at road 460400 (at Phil’s Trailhead) and 4604400 (across from Widgi Creek) are now open to the public. These gates remained closed last year for operations in the area.

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/

The Forest Service encourages visitors to KNOW BEFORE YOU GO by bookmarking that interactive map.

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: 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: 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: All trails listed in Mid-Season plus: Flagline to Swampy area and the High Lakes area.