riding areas vs. tree growth

[ruffryder]

Here in the Northwest (Western Washington) some of our riding areas are dominated by old logging areas. As time goes by, the trees grow and slowly take back these riding areas. Obviosly where you can get above tree line, this problem is mitigated, but there are some areas where that is not possible.

Any other locations here in the lower 48 have this issue? I can see that in the next 10 years some of the riding areas will no longer be used.

Just some Friday thoughts on a Thursday...

 

[hypnotoad]

why can't you just ride in the trees?

 

[WyoBoy1000]

To thick, at least they still log out there, our only opening is from a fire.

 

[Hardass]

Generally the logged areas that are growing in are super thick and riding will not be an option there for a very long time. It is happening here as well many cut areas the trees are getting to the right height to prevent riding And that does equal less riding area for that type of riding.

 

[ruffryder]

why can't you just ride in the trees?

no room, too tight. Like so tight you get stuck in them. Not stuck from snow and the track spinning, but stuck from your bumper, and a-arms hitting them.

What I am seeing now is that it takes later and later in the season before the riding areas upon up. There have been many spots that you just can't ride anymore as the trees have gotten too dense.

To thick, at least they still log out there, our only opening is from a fire.

the areas unfortunately won't be logged anymore.

 

[Ryanlilly]

I have noticed this also being in western WA, I usually ride up in greenwater and many of the areas are not accessible anymore.

 

[xrated]

Are there new logging areas to ride as the old grows in?

Gotta get the logging crews to plant the new trees farther apart

 

[ruffryder]

Are there new logging areas to ride as the old grows in?

No, they are not allowed to log there anymore.

 

[Hardass]

Or here

 

[Timbersled]

I do not want to sound like I am working a angle on advertising all the time, but for the guy that live in these areas they will gust need to adapt to the riding areas. The snow bikes work well for this. They will go through stuff that you can’t even see threw. It’s a good time with the same fun factor as sleds.

Allen

 

[xrated]

Why not? Is it all logged off or new rules, etc?

 

[ruffryder]

Why not? Is it all logged off or new rules, etc?

New rules, new as in 10 years ago or so?

I do not want to sound like I am working a angle on advertising all the time, but for the guy that live in these areas they will gust need to adapt to the riding areas. The snow bikes work well for this. They will go through stuff that you can’t even see threw. It’s a good time with the same fun factor as sleds.

Allen

New growth is a lot more densely packed then old growth. You can't ride through some of this stuff, let alone walk / snowshoe through it.

You are correct though, that adapting is one method of dealing with the issue.

 

[longtrack156]

Fortunately our side of the border is still logging, this is an old clearcut we used to play in, the trees are just wide enough apart to get through;

 

[94fordguy]

Fortunately our side of the border is still logging, this is an old clearcut we used to play in, the trees are just wide enough apart to get through;

Yep, more and more of our areas here in Eastern Washington are looking like that too... there is 1 climb that I enjoy riding that now requires more that 12 ft of snow coverage to begin to open it enough to use... it hasn't been ridable the last 2 years due to insufficient snow. More and more of the lower meadows and cuts are succumbing to new growth also.... and in places its so thick you can either barely fit your skis between the trees, or you simply can't at all.

 

[Ryanlilly]

New rules, new as in 10 years ago or so? QUOTE]


Why is it that these areas are off limit to loggers?

 

[ruffryder]

Why is it that these areas are off limit to loggers?

I don't know, and it might have been longer then 10 years or less. I think it has something to do with the "Mountain to Sound Greenway"

http://mtsgreenway.org/

Looks like it was in the 1990's?

 

[03rmking]

Tree growth? Wait, I thought our poisonous exhaust, spiked tracks and chainsaw carbides prevented this? Or atleast that's what I've been told.

 

[4Z]

Tree growth? Wait, I thought our poisonous exhaust, spiked tracks and chainsaw carbides prevented this? Or atleast that's what I've been told.

Just yours Tom, the rest of us do not have that effect....

 

[B C]

Sometimes it's easier to make a little trail in the summer, if it leads to more rideable access. I've seriously considered a snow bike simply for the area of riding it would access. Unfortunately getting a group of guys to all buy one seems to be hard.

 

[trikerider]

I've been seeing this for over 40 years. Some of the clear cuts my dad and I rode when I was 12 grew in and last year they logged again. The way they have to log now days (leaving a few trees here and there) is funny, every time the wind blows hard the trees they leave blow down.