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Dutchman Flat is still closed.....please respect this early season closure!
http://www.h2oregon.com/showthread.php?t=837
From the FS:
An early taste of winter has descended on the higher elevations with snow blocking/closing some roads, trails and access to trailheads.
Short summary:
Road closures:
Hwy 46 from Mt. Bachelor to Deschutes Bridge has closed for the season due to snow
Road 370 from Hwy 46 north to the road 4601 junction is closed (gates locked) for the season due to snow
Hwy 242 (Mckenzie Pass) has closed for the season due to snow
Newberry Crater Road 21 remains open for the time being. Paulina Peak Road in the Crater is closed for the season due to snow.
The non gated section of Road 370 and the upper mile of 4601 will be closed wed and Thursday for road/trail maintenance.
Trails:
Higher country summer trails (above 5,000') along the Crest, on the Deschutes National Forest have 3-16" of snow and many are blocked by snow. Access to many of the trailheads accessing these trails is inaccessible due to snow.
Snowmobile use on Dutchman Flat is not permitted until Forest Service Officials have determined snow density and depth are adequate enough to prevent impacts to soils and vegetation in the area.
Winter trail use is not recommended nor is there adequate snow depth for safe winter trail operations at this time. Rocks, stumps and other low snow hazards abound.
We will try to send out a more complete report on trail and road conditions before the weekend. Or it may be early next week at the latest!
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There is alot of multi-use scrutiny in the area right now....with a very vocal group trying to close this area and Dutchman Sno-park to motorized (snowmobile!) access. PLEASE obey the early season closure UNTIL the FS removes the closure signs!! What we DON'T need is a closure sign with sled tracks behind it published online or in the local newspapers!
http://www.h2oregon.com/showthread.php?t=837
From the FS:
An early taste of winter has descended on the higher elevations with snow blocking/closing some roads, trails and access to trailheads.
Short summary:
Road closures:
Hwy 46 from Mt. Bachelor to Deschutes Bridge has closed for the season due to snow
Road 370 from Hwy 46 north to the road 4601 junction is closed (gates locked) for the season due to snow
Hwy 242 (Mckenzie Pass) has closed for the season due to snow
Newberry Crater Road 21 remains open for the time being. Paulina Peak Road in the Crater is closed for the season due to snow.
The non gated section of Road 370 and the upper mile of 4601 will be closed wed and Thursday for road/trail maintenance.
Trails:
Higher country summer trails (above 5,000') along the Crest, on the Deschutes National Forest have 3-16" of snow and many are blocked by snow. Access to many of the trailheads accessing these trails is inaccessible due to snow.
Snowmobile use on Dutchman Flat is not permitted until Forest Service Officials have determined snow density and depth are adequate enough to prevent impacts to soils and vegetation in the area.
Winter trail use is not recommended nor is there adequate snow depth for safe winter trail operations at this time. Rocks, stumps and other low snow hazards abound.
We will try to send out a more complete report on trail and road conditions before the weekend. Or it may be early next week at the latest!
-----------
There is alot of multi-use scrutiny in the area right now....with a very vocal group trying to close this area and Dutchman Sno-park to motorized (snowmobile!) access. PLEASE obey the early season closure UNTIL the FS removes the closure signs!! What we DON'T need is a closure sign with sled tracks behind it published online or in the local newspapers!
