Naches News Article

[Grumpy]

Motorized vehicle use on some trails not legal until June 15
by Scott Sandsberry
Yakima Herald-Republic

NACHES, Wash. -- As expected, trails on the Okanogan and Wenatchee national forests won't be open to motorized use until June 15, well after Memorial Day weekend campers annually fill up Forest Service campgrounds hoping to ride their four-wheelers, ATVs, horses and mountain bikes.

But the closure order announced Thursday afternoon -- designed to prevent damage to trails still wet from spring rain and snow -- was different than the one floated before user groups several weeks ago.

The order closes motorized trails to motorized use but doesn't prohibit horseback riding or mountain biking, uses that had initially been considered part of the closure.

The order also says the closure will remain in effect until June 15 unless posted signs indicate those trails are open, which means some areas could open sooner if they dry out.

The likelihood of that happening, though, is minimal in light of higher-than-normal snowpack levels.

The rule, approved Thursday by Forest Supervisor Becki Heath at the recommendation of Naches and
Cle Elum officials, was made necessary "just by the resource damage" of earlier trail usage, Naches District Ranger Irene Davidson said.

"When it's wet in the early spring and people go out and use the four-by-four trails, they leave these large ruts and (work crews) spend the rest of the summer repairing them," Davidson said.

"And we've all talked about the 'two-percenters' (the minority of the trail users who cause the problems). Those individuals that cause the damage are not the ones who end up repairing that damage so they can have a quality experience on those trails."

The extended closure period on trails that have traditionally opened in time for Memorial Day weekend came at the urging of organized motorized trail-use groups.

"Many motorized user groups are showing support for the seasonal closure because they help maintain these trails and they don't want to see them tore up," said Cle Elum District Ranger Judy Hallisey.

"They were the ones who were the most concerned; they were the ones who brought the issue up," added Davidson. "We're working with them and with the Backcountry Horsemen in terms of making decisions on the future, on what trails may be closed to them and when."