wheeling next week.

mudslayer · Jun 20, 2014

Was wondering if anyone is gonna be out wheeling wed,thur,or fri ? (25,26,27th) I have those days off and want to get out. evans,elbe,walker,or little naches? havent been to elbe yet, but dont want to go alone either. Possibly thinking a night run thurs night over little naches if someone is game?My rig is capable of most situations. 37`s locked f\r,winch,etc,etc. Let me know.:beer:

WA-Wheeler · Jun 20, 2014

Elbe sounds fun but I'm working

srgould41 · Jun 20, 2014

I may be up for the 27th. Evans or Naches (wagone trail) preferred. I am working out the kinks in a TBI install and don't want to go too far yet.

pokey · Jun 20, 2014

Naches trail is closed until July 15 (west side)

srgould41 · Jun 21, 2014

I could have sworn an announcement came out about it opening on June 12. Was that just for the other side? Those notices are never clear to me.

Here is the email I received from Michelle King:

U.S. FOREST SERVICE NEWS RELEASE

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

215 Melody Lane

Wenatchee, WA 98801

Contacts:

Naches Ranger District Public Information Assistant Michelle King, 509-653-1420

Naches Ranger District Front Desk, 509-653-1401

For immediate release: June 12, 2014â€"11:00 a.m.

Naches Motorized Trails Now Open

NACHESâ€"Motorized trails on the Naches Ranger District open in time for National Get Outdoors Day. The seasonal spring trail closure for all motorized trails is officially lifted due to consistent warm and dry conditions.

Each spring the Naches Ranger District sets seasonal restrictions on motorized trails to prevent resource damage. Acting District Ranger, K.C. Briggs, determined today that the motorized trails are dry and suitable for public use. Forest Service officials along with volunteers monitored the trails to make the final recommendation.

National Get Out Doors Day was established in 2008 to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun on public lands across the nation. Saturday, June 14th, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest promotes the Get Out Doors campaign with a fee-free day for all trailheads and day-use sites. Campground fees still apply.

â€œGet Out Doors Day is an excellent opportunity for us to educate the public on the importance of responsible forest use,â€ said Public Information Assistant Michelle King. â€œThe seasonal closure restricts trail use during the spring wet months, however, it allows us to enjoy them the rest of the year.â€ Forest Service trails are a national resource and responsible use of our trail system ensures its quality into the future.

-End-

pokey said:
Naches trail is closed until July 15 (west side)

pokey · Jun 21, 2014

That's the East side notice. trail is still closed on the west side until July 15th

Murkman · Jun 21, 2014

The Naches Wagon Trail (4W684) pass's thru 2 USFS Districts. On the Westside the White River Ranger District manages the trail. On the eastside the Naches Ranger District has the management. The White River RD maintains a closure from Nov 15 to July 15. The Naches RD has a seasonal closure from April 1 to June 15. This year as is often the case the Naches RD opened the trail in it's district a few days early. The White River may do the same but it will not be before the PNW4WDA can get a crew up there and clear the trail and recommend to the White River it's good to go. I don't see that happening before July 1st, Most likely would be after July 4th.

pokey · Jun 21, 2014

The west side is closed until the 15th of July. Although the language allows discretion by the district to open it early I can't remember it happening since the order was issued. Its not simply an issue of snow on the trail as it is the overall moisture content in the soil. They won't open it until its dry enough to prevent erosion damage. Getting caught on the trail before it opens can net you a rather significant ticket.

Murkman · Jun 22, 2014

pokey said:
The west side is closed until the 15th of July. Although the language allows discretion by the district to open it early I can't remember it happening since the order was issued. Its not simply an issue of snow on the trail as it is the overall moisture content in the soil. They won't open it until its dry enough to prevent erosion damage. Getting caught on the trail before it opens can net you a rather significant ticket.

You're right the soils are much different from the westside to eastside. Erosion is much more a problem on the westside.

I know when I chaired Trail Jam we had it open most years. The last year I chaired we had lots of snow and it did not open for TJ, and that was 2007 (IIRC). I know I get the ?'s from White River RD what we see from the Naches RD side. I'll be up there before TJ.

mudslayer · Jun 22, 2014

Looks like evans or elbe then. Wanting to hit elbe but havent been there, would want to go with others. If someone is wanting to go early fri morning for a full day let me know.:beer: or even wed, or thur. Whats up with suprise lake trail, someone said they thought it was closed or barricaded off, anyone know? Maybe head up there thur night?

zukkev · Jun 23, 2014

pokey said:
The west side is closed until the 15th of July. Although the language allows discretion by the district to open it early I can't remember it happening since the order was issued. Its not simply an issue of snow on the trail as it is the overall moisture content in the soil. They won't open it until its dry enough to prevent erosion damage. Getting caught on the trail before it opens can net you a rather significant ticket.

Murkman said:
You're right the soils are much different from the westside to eastside. Erosion is much more a problem on the westside.

I know when I chaired Trail Jam we had it open most years. The last year I chaired we had lots of snow and it did not open for TJ, and that was 2007 (IIRC). I know I get the ?'s from White River RD what we see from the Naches RD side. I'll be up there before TJ.

IIRC Jim, TJ '09 we ran the west side with FS blessing...You rode with me, and I have pics to prove it! :haha::stirpot:

mudslayer · Jun 23, 2014

So looks like evans it is. Heading up thur night after work. Maybe some night wheeling? then wheeling all day fri if anyone wants to join.:beer:

srgould41 · Jun 26, 2014

Can't go. My wife just now reminded me of all the work I have to do tomorrow for our trip to the beach this weekend. Sorry I couldn't go with you.

Steve

mudslayer said:
Looks like evans or elbe then. Wanting to hit elbe but havent been there, would want to go with others. If someone is wanting to go early fri morning for a full day let me know.:beer: or even wed, or thur. Whats up with suprise lake trail, someone said they thought it was closed or barricaded off, anyone know? Maybe head up there thur night?

pokey · Jun 26, 2014

zukkev said:
IIRC Jim, TJ '09 we ran the west side with FS blessing...You rode with me, and I have pics to prove it! :haha::stirpot:

Yes because we are covered under our special use permit for trail jamboree to use the west side(as a host and trail leader you should know this ) so :kissmyass::redneck: Its STILL closed to the public until the 15th and sometimes closed to us (jamboree) if there's still to much snow or to wet. there's no guaranty from year to year

zukkev · Jun 27, 2014

I knew about the Jamboree conditional use permit Jim, AND I know that some years the west side is closed to the Jamboree due to wet/snowy conditions... only once were we ever allowed to run the west side in the yrs I have gone, and you were in the passenger seat of the sami when it happened is all I was sayin'......Jeez...

pokey · Jun 27, 2014

zukkev said:
I knew about the Jamboree conditional use permit Jim, AND I know that some years the west side is closed to the Jamboree due to wet/snowy conditions... only once were we ever allowed to run the west side in the yrs I have gone, and you were in the passenger seat of the sami when it happened is all I was sayin'......Jeez...

We use it most years under the permit. Sorry if I offended you not my intention I just like it to be clear when it comes to rules so people don't get into trouble and our sport doesn't get a black eye from misuse due to the wrong information getting out there.

Murkman · Jun 27, 2014

pokey said:
We use it most years under the permit. Sorry if I offended you not my intention I just like it to be clear when it comes to rules so people don't get into trouble and our sport doesn't get a black eye from misuse due to the wrong information getting out there.

Show me where what you are saying is written. My understanding is quite different. Public land if open for one are open for all!

Anthony1 · Jun 27, 2014

Public land is public. :eeek:

pokey · Jun 27, 2014

Murkman said:
Show me where what you are saying is written. My understanding is quite different. Public land if open for one are open for all!

For Pete's sake Merrick you know (should) better than anyone the issue we go thru every year to get permission to use the west side for jamboree. When you were chairing it I got the permission several times for you. No it is not written into our Naches permit but permission needs to be granted just the same.