A view of Mt. Hood from Timothy Lake. Photo by K. Carpenter/U.S.G.S.
Off roaders are going to start seeing a lot of “closed” signs in the Mt. Hood National Forest.
A new Forest Service plan dramatically cuts back where off road vehicles are allowed. Environmental groups couldn’t be much happier.
Just how much of a reduction are we talking about? Currently, off road vehicles are allowed on more 2,300 miles of roads and trails. Under the new rule, they’re allowed on 146 miles in four distinct areas around the forest.
Here’s another big change. The current rules allow off roaders into areas where they are no roads or trails. It’s officially called “cross country” travel. Right now 395,000 acres are open to cross country travel. Under the new plan, it’s zero.
Bark, the environmental watchdog group for the Mt. Hood National Forest calls the new travel plan, “A huge victory.” The group is especially pleased because the travel plan moves off roading away from Wilderness Areas.
From the environmental point of view, here’s the problem. Off roading is a lot more popular than it was 20 years ago. More users mean more stress on the system. Plus, the vehicles are bigger and more powerful. They can do a lot more damage to environmentally sensitive areas. In 2004, the U.S. Forest Service named unregulated off roading as one of the four top threats to National Forests and Grasslands.
They are also conflicts with other users of the forests. When hikers and off roaders share trails, it can be a safety problem. That’s a big reason why Mt. Hood officials say they’re closing off so much of the forest. Besides, if you’re going on a hike to get away from it all, who wants to hear a noisy OHV?
Off roaders will be understandably upset by the new travel plan. They’re losing a huge chunk of the forest. But compared to what’s happening elsewhere in Oregon, Mt. Hood is the exception. All of the national forests have issued new travel plans, or are working on them. Most of them provide lots of miles for off roaders to roam.
Just across the river in Clark County, Washington DNR is planning a major expansion of the the off road trail system in the Yacolt Burn State Forest.
For more information:
Mt. Hood National Forest Travel Management Plan
Earlier Stories:
New Hiking, Off-Road Trails Coming To Clark County
Mt Hood: Putting The Brakes On OHVs In The Forest
Quiet Forests: It’s Decision Time On Mt. Hood
As an ohv enthusiast I feel closing the mt.hood national forest is the wrong way for the the people who want to hike and camp or just enjoy nature to go about this if those folks want space in the woods more shuld be open to every one not closed to any one who cant hike or travel in a manner of that. what about our children who couldnt see our beautiful forest becouse its closed to travel that there grandparents can do? what about our friends that maybe more unfortunate than you nice folks our national forest shuld never close to any one who wants to enjoy it.I belive that if u folks realy want our forest and our way of life to be better I ask that you dont close the land that generations before us could enjoy thank you
The national forest areas that are open today are highly appreciated by many. People move to oregon to witness its beauty and create memories in its scenery. The mt.hood national forest is one of the few places to enjoy at your own risk and as a resident of oregon i would like to see most of the areas stay open for people to use however they please. Closing down most of the national forest is not a good solution what so ever. Most “off roaders” will contiue to go wherever they want regardless of any closures, which obviously creates even more problems for everyone.
Greenies would have us all walk to work, and for entertainment read or stare at a tree! This is insane!! Very few people can even afford to go off road in a atv and when they can it’s only for a few days and few hours!! This won’t hurt the environment ! Animals will run away and come back when you leave ! Vegetation will grow back no harm ! Stop these environmental wack o’s their turning us into a third world country! Why these people chose to follow Maurice strong instead of common sense is that their hell bent on blaming man for everything!!! Stop
Well, if the land is closed to some I feel it should be closed to ALL! Kick out the hikers, the bikers and the horse back riders. The atv users pay taxes like everyone else. If the forest service wants it closed then so be it. Everyone out now!
As an OHV owner, this naturally upsets me as well. I went and hiked part of the trail that goes down the Cascades from Canada to Mexico near Mount Hood and I will tell you that the hikers do alot damage as well. There was a ton of garbage and damage all around the trails. These hikers/bikers/environmentalists say that it’s only OHV’s damaging trails? That is a complete bald faced lie. The difference is hikers/bikers/environmentalists have huge groups like Sierra Club & others that have untolds amounts of money they can use to influence politicians and public opinion.
Im going to ride my loud and really bad for the enviorment dirtbike right past you “closed” signs. you can all kiss my ass. im going to take all your signs and BURN THEM!!!!
I agree. If you’re going to close them, close them period. Don’t discriminate. Mountain bikes have also gotten faster and more powerful with aggressive tread patterns. Hiking boots have large lugs and if someone slips they’ll rip the vegetation out and scare the animals. Just close it all down to everyone across the boards.