Trail Conditions Report

Information published here is provided by trail users. OET does not verify these reports and cannot guarantee accuracy. Please contact the agency responsible for the trail system or camp for more information.

Report trail conditions to:

OET Vice President of Field Services
vpfieldservices@oregonequestriantrails.org

October, 2007

Riley Horse Camp, Zig Zag RD, Mt Hood Nat. Forest

Storm damage to the washed out the bridge to Riley Horse Camp has been repaired and the bridge is open. The roads are clear except for small debris. All the trails have some trees down. The loop trail is open, and the beginning of Cass Creek trail from the camp to the road is open. REPORT DATE: Date 10/14/07

August, 2007

Cultus Lake Horse Camp:

We tried to ride to Wimopee Lake but was blocked about a mile from the lake A really big tree is across the trail and we could not find a way around it. Also some hikers said they could not get into Teddy Lake due to down trees. I have informed the F.S. but be aware if you are planning to ride out of the camp these trails my not be open. We did go up to Six Lakes Tr. head and the trails there were great.

At Cultus Horse Camp, the posts for the corrals are getting a little weak. We had to try out three different sites before we found one we thought was safe. There is a lot of manure around. A manure site is badly needed. Please, pack it out with you. On the positive side the rest room is clean and there is potable water for both you and your horse. REPORT DATE: 8/24/07

Fire Restrictions in Place:

Due to extreme fire conditions, a complete campfire ban is being imposed on the following state and federal lands in northeast Oregon and southeast Washington: Malheur National Forest, Umatilla National Forest, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in the Burns BLM District Oregon State Parks (in the Northeast Oregon ODF Protection Area) The three National Forests, Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State Parks, and the Burn’s District BLM are working together to implement this campfire ban beginning Thursday, August 16, at 12:01 a.m.

Near record fire danger indices are currently being recorded and the addition of a complete campfire ban to present public-use restrictions is due to the increased fire danger. Public-use restrictions on campfires, smoking, travel and chainsaw use have been in effect since early July. These restrictions now include prohibiting campfires at all campgrounds. Due to higher elevations, resulting in less risk of wildfire, two exceptions to the campfire ban are: The Eagle Cap Wilderness on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest – campfires are allowed, with the exception of standard campfire restrictions around specific lakes within the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Please check the Wallowa-Whitman N.F. website for more information. Jubilee Lake Campground on the Umatilla National Forest - campfires will be allowed in designated fire pits at Jubilee Campground. This campground is operated by a concessionaire who will provide 24-hour monitoring to prevent unattended campfires. Public use fire restrictions within the Snake River corridor of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area remain consistent with information printed on river permits.

Current restrictions prohibit the building and tending of open campfires, including charcoal briquettes, cooking fires and warming fires until further notice. Permissible sources of heat include pressurized gas stoves and space-heating devices. Smoking is only allowed within enclosed vehicles, buildings, developed recreation sites or when stopped in an area cleared of all flammable material. Operating an internal combustion engine, such as a chainsaw, is also prohibited. Firewood cutting is not allowed. This restriction applies to internal combustion engines other than a motor vehicle. Electrical generators will be only allowed in the center of an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material, or; when fully contained within a pickup truck bed that is devoid of all flammable material, or; when factory installed in a recreational vehicle and the generator exhaust discharge is located in the center of an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

Travel restrictions prohibit motor vehicles traveling off of developed Forest roads and trails, except for the purposes of going to or from campsites located within 300 feet of an open road. Motorized travel on segments of road where access is blocked by gate, barricade, log, boulder or earthen berm is also prohibited. Vehicles must still abide by all laws and regulations pertaining to the area of travel.

All forest users should carry an axe, shovel and an 8 oz. or more capacity fire extinguisher when visiting the Forest.

A regulated use closure on private land in northeast Oregon protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has been in effect since July 10, 2007, which includes prohibiting open fires and campfires. All Oregon State Parks within the Northeast Oregon District protection boundary of ODF have implemented a campfire ban within their campgrounds. Similar restrictions are in effect on lands protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Even though eliminating campfires can be seen as an inconvenience, it is a necessary prevention measure to minimize human-caused fires. Public awareness of the fire danger and cooperation are essential to a safe fire season.

If unsure of which restrictions apply, please contact any Malheur, Umatilla or Wallowa-Whitman National Forest office.

Specific regulations are available online at:

• Malheur National Forest
• Umatilla National Forest
• Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
• Oregon Department of Forestry
• Burns District - BLM

REPORT DATE: 8/15/07

Quinn Meadow Horse Camp Firewood:

Lot's available but you need something for splitting and sawing (power saws not allowed, right now).

• Bugs: Not bad this year. Much better then last year.
• Weather: Has been excellent and forecast reports say...great!

REPORT DATE: 8/12/07

Badger Creek Wilderness (Mt Hood):

The Forest Service has opened the Badger Creek Wilderness area and campgrounds. Three trails remain closed due to the fires: Tygh Creek, School Canyon, and Little Badger Trails are closed. REPORT DATE: 8/09/07

Jefferson Wilderness:

Due to past wildfire impacts in this area, portions of the Jefferson Lake Trail 4001, Sugarpine Ridge Trail 4002, Rockpile Lk Trail 4005, Minto Lk Trail 4006, and Brush Ck Trail 4004 have heavy blow down, dense brush and/or severe erosion. Some sections of trail are difficult to locate.The use of stock animals on these trails is not recommended this season. Hikers will consider sections of trail very difficult. Trails open and cleared in this area, with access to the Pacific Crest Trail include: Canyon Ck Trail 4010, Trail 4014 between Jack Lk and Wasco Lk/tie to the PCT, Cabot Lk Trail 4003 north to Table Lake and Shirley Lk Trail 4003.1 to the PCT.For more information please contact: Sisters Ranger District, (541) 549-7700 REPORT DATE: 8/08/07

Three Sisters Wilderness:

All the trails out of Lava Camp Lake on the McKenzie Pass to Scott Pass and back to Whispering Pines Horse Camp have been cleared. This includes Mattieu Lakes, Millican Crater and the PCT. Tomorrow, the plan is to tackle the Green Lakes trail out of Pole Creek trailhead. REPORT DATE: 8/06/07

LL Stubbs Stewart State Park

Three trails are closed to equestrian use and one new trail will be opened by tomorrow for equestrian use:

1. The trail from the Over Look Day use area to the Cabin Village area will be closed to horses because it interrupts the privacy of the Cabin village users as the trail brings horses within about ten feet of the nearest cabins to the trail that they users use getting to the main trail.
2. Horses are not allowed in the Overlook Day use area as it was built for non-equestrian usage.
3. The Banks/Vernonia Trail about one quarter mile West of the "Stub" entry road there is a trail that intersects BVT that leads to one of the non-equestrian camp grounds and the park program area. This is not open to horses either.
4. The entry point to the Tent Camping Area that connects to the multiple use trail that makes a circle around the north side of the park and also leads into the horse camp. All these trail entry points are marked with signs that read "No Horses Beyond This Point". This eliminates any user conflicts and hopefully any confusion where horses are allowed and not allowed.

The new trail opening tomorrow will circle around the low side of the Over Look Day Use area near the tree line. This allows equestrians to continue to and from the Clay Hill Horse Day Use area and to the looped multiple use trail on the north side of the entrance road. There will be temporary signs put up tomorrow to direct equestrians on to this trail.

Some other things to think of:

1. Bring a bucket for watering your horse. PLEASE do not use the people drinking fountains to water your horse. There are water faucets at Clay Hill and Hares Canyon Horse Camp.
2. Bring a manure fork. Dan Lucas, Administrator, for "Stub's" will be posting OET's "You Will Be Remembered For What You Leave Behind" poster with our OET logo and State Parks logo on the sign boards at Clay Hill and the horse camp showing our partnership working with them.

REPORT DATE: 8/02/07

July, 2007

Tam MacArthur Rim Trail (Near Three Creeks Horse Camp, south of Sisters, OR):

There is a dicey shale rock outcropping on the new Tam Rim trail, and equestrians are strongly encouraged riders to use the old lookout road trail to access the rim. This trail is longer, not well signed, and has none of the views until it joins the Rim trail higher up. It is recommended that if folks wanted to use the Rim Trail, to consider using it on the way UP and using the old road on the way DOWN, thereby avoiding the nasty shale outcropping the direction it is most dangerous.

There has been some "No Horses Allowed" signs posted in error. The Forest Service has removed them. However, the the trail remains not recommended for horses due to erosion. This situation has continued to bring about user conflict as horse folk want to continue using this trail and the non-horse folk believe that horses still really aren't allowed.

The USFS plans on blasting out the shale outcropping to make a better multiple use trail, thereby eliminating the hazard on the trail and removing any doubt that this trail can be used by horses. This project was to be done this spring but now has to wait for fall after fire season. REPORT DATE: 7/28/07

The Salmon River, Jackpot Meadow Trail off the PCT North of Timothy Lake:

Jefferson Wilderness Area Pacific Crest Trail:

The Pacific Crest Trail at Milk Creek (north of Pamelia Lake) is reported to be thoroughly washed out. There are creek crossings in the area that are noted on most maps as "Potentially difficult crossing." The trail up from Whitewater TH is in fine shape and the PCT through the Jefferson Park area and north to Breitenbush Lake is fine. The PCT at Russell Creek (south of Jefferson Park) is definitely washed out and the trail immediately south of the area is not passable. Please don't try.

The trail from the PCT westward along South Breitenbush Creek is not managed with horses in mind. It's lovely enough - a 12 mile round trip access to the Jefferson Park area - but probably not the best choice for most horsemen. There are currently a few obstacles that are very difficult to get around with stock Several miles of the trail is essentially on ankle turning rocks. The half mile closest to the TH not possible to ride. Not because its rough - its not. And it's pretty. But the riparian area you're riding through has not - and does not seems to regularly be - cleared with horsemen in mind. The tree branches are prolific at less than 6 feet high. The trail is a wonderful wilderness trail, just not currently an easy ride. REPORT DATE: 7/07

The Crag Trail from the South Breitenbush TH:

South and east over to a connector back to Whitewater TH is reported to not be clear and reported to have a difficult crossing over South Breitenbush Creek that is currently not passable. REPORT DATE: 7/23/07

PCT, Lava Camp Lake, McKenzie Pass:

The Pacific Crest Trail from McKenzie Pass (Lava Camp Lake Trailhead) southward to South Matthieu Lake is passable. There are still 6 logs down that have not been cleard, but they are not serious obstacles to forward progress. All 6 logs are within a 1/4 mile of the intersection with the northern end of the North Matthieu Trail, meaning that the section of the PCT on the steeper slopes is completely clear with no obstacles. Please know that the trail to North Matthieu Lake is not cleared at this time. Volunteers expect to clear the PCT southward to Obsidian Falls by around August 8. REPORT DATE: 7/23/07

Quinn Meadow:

An alternate trail over the road where the culvert is blocked by gravel has been cleared and flagged to create an access trail around it. REPORT DATE: 7/21/07

McDonald-Dunn Forest:

(OSU's Research forest in Corvallis) The 100 and 200 roads into Dunn Forest off of Berry Creek Rd. are closed to the public due to logging. There is no indication as to how long the roads and access into the area would be closed, and nothing is listed on the OSU website. There are signs on the gates saying the road is closed to the public due to logging. 200 has been clear cut and the whole forest is gone. The # 300 Forest Ridge Road is still open, but the parking there is limited. REPORT DATE: 7/21/07

Northrup Creek, (Coast range SW of Clatskanie - East of Astoria, Clatsop County)

The Oregon Department of Forestry disseminated the following news release today. For Immediate Release, Distribution: Major Media

Work impacts access - delays and closure - to Northrup Creek Road and Horse Camp at times from July 23 through August. Road maintenance work on Northrup Creek Road is scheduled to begin on July 23rd, and will continue for approximately 30-40 days. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, the public can expect delays of up to one-half hour and, in addition, heavy truck traffic. This road work will start at the 2-1/2-mile marker on Northrup Creek Road and extend beyond that point. In addition, culvert replacement at the 4-mile marker of Northrup Creek Road will block all access to Northrup Creek Horse Camp from July 30 through August 3. This culvert replacement is being completed to provide for better fish passage within the creek. For more information about the road work and culvert replacement on Northrup Creek Road, contact Larry Sprouse at the ODF Astoria District Office, 503-325-5451. REPORT DATE: 7/07

Badger Creek Wilderness (Mt Hood):

Due to the fires in the area, all trails in the wilderness are closed. REPORT DATE: 7/19/07

Quinn Meadow, Todd Creek area trails (West of Mt Batchelor):

All problems in the Met-Win in this area have been cleared. Met-Win trail is clear from the 370/4601 Jct. to Lucky Lake. The Sparks Lake trail is clear, and Sink Creek to Mirror Lakes trailhead is also clear. The camp host at Quinn reports that Katsuk Pond trail to Devils Lake is not clear. Volunteers have completed the Six Lakes trail out to the PCT. The trail out of Quinn Horse Camp, west to the wilderness boundary, is currently completely blocked by gravel. There is a YCC crew working on it the rest of this week, and hopefully all will be vastly improved by the end of the week. It's a lot of gravel. REPORT DATE: 7/18/07

Moss Springs Trailhead:

Campground is in good condition and the road is good, a logging contractor was grading and watering the middle section this week. No manure bins or signs at trailhead as to what to do with manure, so we packed it out. Signs about Certified Weed Free hay are present. FS is patrolling daily to check for NW forest pass, which we had. Good stock water, no potable water at campground. Nice pit toilets! Trail from Moss Springs to Reds Horse Ranch was good. We got around two large blow-downs near the Little Minam bridge, which later that day were sawed out by volunteers and FS personnel heading in to mow the airstrip at Reds with a mule team. Loop trail from Minam Lodge downriver to Land Ranch and back up Little Minam has a lot of downed trees but is passable. Large tree on Minam trail about 5 miles upriver from Reds is blocking trail. Lots of smoke due to fires in Hells Canyon, but may have cleared by now. REPORT DATE: 7/17/07

Horse Creek Camp (near Florence, Oregon Coast):

Stock water only. The stock water is a ways down the hill, a pleasant walk for you and your horses but not if you are hauling water. If you want to haul water, better bring something like collapsible water jugs you can tie to the saddle.

Dry Lake Camp has two sets of corrals but the water wasn't working, and it can get windier at Dry Lake.

Baker Beach camping--no corrals--looks like fun too. You can get people water at Alder Dunes FS Camp S of Baker Beach. Both roads to HC and DL are steep and windy and one way with pull outs. We had no problems with the northern Road 58 (not as steep) with our F150 pickup. It is unmarked, 0.5 mile past Sea Lion Caves heading S or 0.1 past mile post 180 heading N. The road turns inland and goes 3.2 miles to camp. Have fun, we sure did. No manure bins and no signage about what the FS would like us to do with it. One sign on prevention of spreading gorse. REPORT DATE: 7/17/07

Kalama Horse Camp (Mt Saint Helens):

The big loop has been washed out at the top of the loop. Adventurous riders can get through the new ravine. The lake that you ride by is gone. Part of the same storm last Winter. Otherwise the trails are great! REPORT DATE: 7/17/07

Pole Creek Trail to Green Lakes (Three Sisters Wilderness):

The trail is passable with a good trail horse. But there are hundreds of trees down across the trail from Soap Creek to Park Meadow. No snow over the pass to Green Lakes. REPORT DATE: 7/16/07

Quinn Meadow Horse Camp:

There is a large gravel project being done over the next few days near this camp. Essentially, the trail from Quinn into the wilderness will not be open for the next few days. There is a youth group spreading gravel for the project and many truck loads of gravel will have been dumped directly onto the trail where it crosses the road. So, there are plenty of riding opportunities from Quinn, but that particular trail should be avoided for a few days. Back Country Horsemen has cleared much of the Metolius Windigo near Quinn over the last month, including the first two miles of the Catsuk Trail (or whatever it's called) from Quinn to the Met-Win back on June 9. BCH left some segments not done and the USFS has been in there filling the gaps. There's only a mile or two left to clear on the entire stretch from Three Creeks Horse Camp, south to Todd Creek Horse Camp, past Quinn, to Lucky Lakes so there are plenty of riding ops in the area. BCH will get to the rest of the Met-Win all the way down to the intersection with Cultus Corral shortly where it should meet up with the clearing done by OET in that area. REPORT DATE: 7/16/07

National Forest Land, (state wide):

Chainsaw use is prohibited in our national forests until further notice. It's a good reminder for us to be very careful where we use any motorized equipment, and get out your hand saws. REPORT DATE: 7/16/07

Mt Hebo (Tillamook):

The trail up from the parking area is good until you cross the paved road. From there on Bracken fern and huckleberries are closing in and obscuring the trail. Erosion has created several ditches that you cannot see due to the undergrowth. We rode across the bridges and they seemed ok but not any people are riding up there. Coming down the steep trail from the top to lost lake had not been cleared of a blow-down so we turned back there. Hikers were not visible and you would just be on top of them with out knowing they were there. The view is worth the effort but the trails need some TLC. REPORT DATE: 7/13/07

Metolius Windigo Trail, Quinn Meadows Horse Camp (Cascade Lakes Hwy, South of Bend):

The mess on Met-Win between Appaloosa and Quinn Springs Jcts. has been cleared. There are still about 150 trees down between where they left off at the north end of Lava Lake, This about a one mile section. There are no big trees sticking out into the trail. Small handsaws could handle most of what remains, and sheer muscle could handle some. If every single person who uses the trail cuts four trees, the trail would be clear in no time. Also I heard from some bicyclists, who came from Todd Horse Camp, that there are only about 10 trees (and these are "no problem") between Todd and where I met them, south of Quinn Meadow. Therefore, I am calling the Met-Win Trail clear from 370/4601 to way south of Quinn Horse Camp (almost to Lava Lake) basically clear. Reported by Mark Dreyer. REPORT DATE: 7/12/07

Big Meadows Horse Camp and Duffy Lake Trail head (Willamette National Forest, off of Hwy 22):

There was a tiny bit of snow - a.m. sure it is gone now. BCH cleared all the trails around BM up to where the turpentine comes into the Duffy lake trail - man there was a lot of trees we were out all day on Saturday. On Sunday we rode the loop up to Santiam Lake and back towards Mowich Lake and back down to Duffy. The trails had a few logs but no problems getting through. We did not ride past Santiam lake to the PCT but there was a bunch of people camping up there that did ride in from there and did not mention any problems. If I remember correctly the burn is as you head toward the Dixie lakes and between Duffy and Mowich Lake. It started getting really bad once you get the the Y going to 8 Lakes Basin. There are a few dangerous trees in there that will come down anytime. Kind of scary to ride in, in the wind but you avoid most that if you just head towards Duffy from Santiam Lake. The forest service is camped at Tom Lake and the gal with the posse that works up there said that there is not much left as you head into Jorn lake. I would love to go in and check it out sometime. They are up there educating people of the need for weed free hay at the trail heads and to use pelleted feed if packing in.

There is no water in the well at Big Meadows. You have to pump forever and barely get a cup. There is water down at the stock area but is a long haul up the hill, they are still charging $10.00 a night. REPORT DATE: 7/11/07

LL Stub Stewart State Park Trails:

State Parks is in the process of putting up temporary trail markers and some of the trails are not open to horses like the tent camping area, the non-equestrian day use area, any of the non-horse camping areas. I (Joe Reeves, OET) chatted with State Park personnel about this and they are willing to work with us to help reduce any confusion where we can go and where we cannot go. The brochure they have is very nice but it doesn't show the non-horse areas and those will be changed soon. One of the trails south of the Banks Vernonia Linear Trail is not well marked and if you don't know where to go you will ride off state park land on to private land. They are willing to mark this better as it is a good ways away from the high usage area. All I can tell you is if you don't have a good sense of direction in this area, it is easy to get turned around. They did a nice job of paving the BVT and putting down wood chips where horses are to go with out getting on the pavement. REPORT DATE: 7/09/07

Tryon Creek State Park (Lake Oswego)  The summer concert series starts in July. They are on Sunday afternoons so the parking lots are packed, including the equestrian lot.  It is suggested that if you wish to ride here on a Sunday, ride in the morning to avoid parking problems.
Tryon Creek State Park is also building an access ramp for therapeutic riders. I believe it will be similar to the one at McIver. So, although this is great, it again will limit our parking. The support polls were in place today. It will consume the west side of the lot, it appears.  Report Date 7/01/07 
 

June 2007

Northrup Creek, (Coast range SW of Clatskanie - East of Astoria, Clatsop County) A new bridge is done at Northrup Creek Horse Camp. This makes the loop trail totally open now. Some people have been taking a trail when they come off the cow creek bridge that is not yet open to horses. It is marked dangerous so please don't take that route. It will be open later this summer when they get two small bridges done.  Report Date 6/26/07 

Lost Lake Campground. (Mt Hood)  We (OET members) had the entire horse camp to ourselves as there were no other horse campers. The horse camp is away from the other campground so very private. The
camp is beautiful with 5 wonderful sites all 4 horse corals, but there aren't any restrictions on number of campers or horses up to 4 horses. We had several wonderful rides North and South on the PCT, up to Lost Lake Butte, and on other trails and roads near the camp. The wild flowers and rhododendrons are in bloom and the trails are beautiful. The loop in the camp is paved, there is a vaulted toilet in the center of the camp, and water at each site. Manure bin is close and so is garbage. The host let us lock the gate so there was no drive through traffic. Wonderful Spring camping. The Forest Service came and cleared several huge downfalls from the access trail to the PCT on the second day. All trails are now clear to the PCT and around the camp.  Report Date 6/25/07 
 

PCT from Lolo Pass  (Mt Hood, Zig Zag Ranger District) The flowers on the cliff areas a short distance north on the trail are a blanket of color and there are still lilies along the trail. There are some cliff/drop-off areas along the trail in the first mile.   Our saw team from the Mt Hood Chapter of OET was able to log out up to five miles north of Lolo Pass before hitting snow. We met marathon runners who were camped at Wahtum Lake and running to Lost Lake. They reported that in places on the PCT they had to crawl under logs in the snow to get through. The road to Lolo Pass is pretty rough and is sinking in places. Report Date 6/19/07 
 

Swamp Wells Horse Camp  (Deschutes National Forest, south east of Bend) There are five four horse steel corals with manure bin at each site. The tree trails to the North are in good condition. Only two trees down and you can get around them easily. The trail to the South has been cleared.  The road is in the best shape ever. The F.S. graded the road and put up new horse signs directing you to the camp. Do not follow the ribbons they mean something else. It is a dry camp so bring people and horse water. But if you want good riding and lots of solitude this is the camp. Report Date 6/18/07 

Three Creeks (Deschutes National Forest, south of Sisters)  There are some areas above the horse camp where snow is still partly over the road, but the upper campground itself is snow covered .. maybe 3 spots are clear enough to camp in.  Some of the corrals are in sad shape, broken rails, etc. but some are just fine. None of the corrals have ridge poles for tarps and that's one place that needs them badly since there are not a lot of trees there for cover or shade.  The road itself isn't TOO bad and there were 5th wheel trailers up there, in fact, the camp host is there and they have a 5th wheel. It looked like the fishing was really great if you had a boat, otherwise you can't reach any area where you can cast far enough out from shore. A lot of the upper area is still snow covered so you can't walk around the lake.  Report Date 6/17/07 

Lost Lake, (SE Clatsop County, Oregon Department of Forestry)  Surface treatment will close roads to Lost Lake in SE Clatsop County from June 13 through June 17.  Application of a surface treatment will close both roads to Lost Lake in southeast Clatsop County from Wednesday, June 13, through Sunday, June 17, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.  There will be no access from either Highway 26 at Quartz Creek Road or from Henry Rierson Spruce Run Campground on Lower Nehalem Road. Closure signs will be posted.  The surface treatment is a binding agent that mixes with gravel to make roads last longer. The treatment takes several days to cure, and it can splatter and stick to vehicles traveling on the surface too soon.  For more information about the road closures, call Larry Sprouse at the ODF Astoria District office, (503) 325-5451.  Report Date 6/12/07 

Sheep Springs Horse Camp (Deschutes National Forest, west of Camp Sherman) The camp is in great shape, due to the West Valley OET work party this spring.  All the corrals have been filled with gravel.  Corrals that have been used are already packing down some, others still have quite a lot of loose gravel.  Please try to avoid picking it out when you clean your corrals.  The new floors drain very well, so corrals are much easier to clean.  Many trees were cut this spring as well, so the camp is full of firewood.  The spring to water the horses is running strong and the metal trough it flows into has been cleaned of algae, and the area around it filled with gravel to eliminate the mud.  Report Date 6/12/07 

Tryon Creek State Park, (Lake Oswego, Clackamas County)  A tree has fallen across the trail in the lower part of the North Equestrian Loop.  The tree is about 3 feet off of the ground making this part of the trail completely impassible.  The park has been notified, and the tree is expected to be removed this week.  Report Date 6/11/07 

Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness Report: (Mt Hood)  1. Douglas Trailhead is cleaned up and signs replaced. 2. Lower Douglas Trail and Eagle Creek Trail #501 are logged out. Both trails are in the forest and Eagle, in particular, has flowers, BIG trees and ferns. Both have stream crossings and some side slopes as well as some easy sections.
Note: Near the end of Eagle Creek Trail #501 there are three washouts. At the first one, by the last big creek, we (OET Mt Hood Chapter) put in ten feet of temporary trail. The last two, where the trail is by the creek, we brushed detours. One detour is around a hole that is about three foot deep and wide. Right after that a large tree has washed into the stream crossing. The detour is to the right side of the log.
If any of you use Douglas Trailhead, Lower Douglas Trail or Eagle Trail #501 we would appreciate any updates you might have.
Directions: As always, consult your Mt. Hood Forest map. Take Highway 26 out of Sandy east for two miles and turn right onto Firwood Drive (Shorty's Corner). Follow Firwood 2.2 miles to a four-way intersection where you take a sharp left onto Wildcat Mountain Road (3626). Go about 9.5 miles and turn right on 105 (first road to right after you pass road with "road closed" written on the pavement).
Take 105 a very short distance to 150 (left at fork). Take 150 uphill to the trailhead. The trailhead is on your right off of 150. There is ample parking for horse trailers on the upper level of the trailhead.
Follow the rim to take Upper or Lower Douglas Trails.  Report Date 6/05/07 
 

May 2007

Joe Graham Campground, (Timothy Lake, Mt Hood) Three parties from OET camped at Joe Graham Campground on Memorial Day weekend.  There are a lot of downed trees in the campground, some damage to corrals, but all spaces are open. None of the surrounding trails have been cleared, except for some sawing we did.
The trail around Timothy Lake is open (you can get through). You can trailer to the dam to start a ride.
The trail from Joe Graham to Timothy Lake (PCT) is blocked with a huge tree down, but many smaller downed logs can be negotiated to & from the big one to make a short ride.
PCT is blocked south of Joe Graham with many downed trees.  The Miller trail from Clackamas Lake campground to Timothy is possible to negotiate.
The Headwater Trail is a 1/2 loop that goes from PCT where it crosses the road back to the intersection of PCT south of Joe Graham, but it is "iffy" and again blocked from getting back to Joe Graham by big trees down.
The camp hosts are camped in # 11---Wayne & Nancy.  Remember # 10 & 11 are tie-only sites. The new fees to camp are $17 per night. Camp Host says all the trails around there will be cleared in 2 weeks. Does he mean OET to the rescue?? Until then, good luck. Some of the campers left because of the trail situation & were upset that they would charge $17, with "nowhere" to ride. Some reservations were cancelled because of the gas prices, so others were able to get in at the last minute. Report date  5/29/07 
 

Willamette Mission State Park (Marion County, north of Salem)  The trails here are very popular.  About 25 trailers were in the parking lot on Memorial Day.  Unfortunately, many of them were cleaned out in the parking lot, and a very bad mess was left behind.  This speaks poorly about horse people to other users of the multi-use state park.  Remember to clean up around your own parking place as well as pick up after those who are less responsible.  The reputation of the entire equestrian user population rests on what non equestrians see of us and our careless use of facilities and trails.  Report date  5/28/07  

Milo McIver State Park, (Estacada, Clackamas County) The trails are GREAT thanks to many, many hours of some North Valley Chapter of OET volunteers who have put in a lot of filter fabric, gravel, wood frames, etc. The loop around the meadow over to the big barn and back to the parking lot still has some major mud areas, but with the warmer/drier weather it is clay-like mud not the oozy, slimy kind. Bring your clippers and help cut back the trees and blackberries, and remember to scoop your poops in the parking lot. It was really clean today, but we went early in the day. The day-pass pay station has been vandalized, so if someone is in the booth at the entrance you can pay, if they aren't there, try to catch them on the way out. Not sure when it will be replaced, but please do your part if you don't have a season pass and pay for your play. Report date  5/26/07  

Northrup Creek, (Coast range SW of Clatskanie - East of Astoria, Clatsop County) After a very wet winter, the trail loop at  had 2 small culverts wash out. These were in place to create a safe way to cross two small creek/muddy areas. ODF staff plans on repairing those areas sometime this month and until they do those areas maybe a bit challenging for some riders. Also due to the wet spring weather the contractors that are putting the bridge in across Cow Creek have been delayed. ODF Staff is hoping that the bridge will be in sometime this month but it is all dependant on weather and stream conditions. Refer back to this page for updates as to progress on fixing these areas.  Report date 5/25/2007
 

April 2007
 

Willamette Mission State Park  Recent rain has made the trails here very wet and slick.  The tree is still down, making that section of the trail near the river impassable.  Riders are cautioned to avoid riding in very muddy conditions to avoid tread damage to the trails.  Report date 4/12/2007

Willamette Mission State Park  OET members rode Willamette Mission on April 7, 2007.  The park is open, the trails were wet and in good condition except for one very large down tree near the river.  We were able to ride over one end of the tree carefully.  There is a standing tree right next to it, which is a good knee knocker.   Report date 4/12/2007

Sheep Springs Horse Camp  The West Valley Chapter of OET has a work party scheduled for this camp on April 27 - 29.  If anyone has specific information about needed repairs to the camp and/or near by trails, please let us know by April 25.  Email the West Valley Chapter. Report date 4/10/2007
 

Silver Falls State Park Clarification on the report that the trails are clear at Silver Falls State
Park. This does not include the Perimeter Trail. It is passable for the adventuresome, but not cleared. This comes from first hand experience from a couple of Silver Falls OET chapter members. The other equestrian routes are logged out.   Report date 4/04/2007
 

March 2007

Silver Falls State Park Vicki, the volunteer coordinator at Silver
Falls has reported to the Silver Falls Chapter of OET that the horse trails at Silver Falls State Park  are now open. They still need work, but they are rideable.  Report date 3/29/2007

Cyrus Horse Camp, Ochocco NF,  this camp has been "dry" due to broken pipes from the well, which is outside of the camp.  Repairs to the pipes were to be completed by the first of April.  We do not know if that has if fact happened.  Haystack Reservoir now has potable water available, so you may drive there to fill up your tank. Report date 3/26/2007  

Tryon Creek State Park,  The Trillium Festival is going on the weekend of March 31 - April 1.  The parking lots are always very full during this event, and even though the equestrian trails will be open, it is not advisable to trailer in to ride that weekend due to very limited parking.

Riley Horse Camp, Zig Zag RD, Mt Hood Nat. Forest, Storm damage has washed out the bridge to Riley Horse Camp.  There currently is no access to the camp or the Lost Creek and McNeil Trails.  Funding is not yet available to rebuild the bridge.

Coos County Trails, most tails in the county are currently under water.  They are not closed, but the water may deep enough in places for your horse to swim.  Please ride with caution.  Report date 3/8/07

Reeher's Camp (Tillamook State Forest), trails closed due to wet conditions.  Report date 3/7/07

Mission State Park Equestrian Trails, closed due to high water.  Report date 3/6/07