National Forests caution visitors about spring weather conditions

Release Date: May 9, 2019

Contact(s): Darcy Weseman, (541) 278-3722

Forest travel on wet, muddy, or snow-covered roads can cause

serious resource damage and safety concerns

JOHN DAY, PENDLETON, and BAKER CITY, Ore. - The winter snow is receding and spring fever has many people excited to get outside and explore the forests.  Though snow may have thawed from the foothills, forest officials are warning that most forest roads are still not accessible due to mud or snow.  In addition, traveling on thawing, saturated, and muddy roads can result in resource damage and serious safety concerns, especially if visitors are unprepared.

“We typically see multiple incidents this time of year where families head up for the day, get stuck, and end up spending the night or making a very long hike out to look for help,” said Lisa Rynearson, Safety Officer for the Malheur National Forest. 

This can become a serious situation quickly, particularly if travelers are not prepared for the elements. Many places in the Blue Mountains have limited or no cell phone coverage, so forest visitors should always be prepared to spend the night in the forest with warm clothing, food, and plenty of water.  “Before you head out, always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return,” added Lee Mercer, Safety Officer for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 

Public safety is not the only concern this time of year.  Forest officials are encouraging the public to minimize impacts to natural resources from travel on roads that are susceptible to rutting due to warmer weather and melting snowpack.    “Forest roads are not constructed to be all-weather roads, so they can be easily damaged when wet, especially during the spring season,” said David Plummer, Engineering Staff Officer for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.  “Imagine driving onto your own lawn at this time of year.  Tire ruts that are just an inch deep can leave lasting impressions that only grow with rain and erosion.”

A small portion of National Forest visitors are looking for ‘mudding’ or ‘mud-bogging’ opportunities.  However, it is illegal to operate a vehicle on or off-road in a manner that damages or unreasonably disturbs land and vegetation.  Please report resource damage if you see it.

Forest Officials remind users that some roads remain seasonally closed for wildlife or resource concerns in spite of early access.  Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) display the open and seasonally open road system on the Umatilla National Forest.  MVUMs are free and can be picked up at any Umatilla National Forest office or downloaded from the Forest website.  Cross-country travel is prohibited under the Umatilla National Forest’s travel management plan.

“We encourage forest users to responsibly enjoy their National Forest roads and trails.  This will not only avoid further damage of the resources, but also ensure that there are future riding opportunities across the Forest,” said Eric Watrud, Umatilla National Forest Supervisor.

For more information on forest road conditions, please contact one of the National Forest offices listed below.

Malheur National Forest: 
(541) 575-3000 
www.facebook.com/MalheurNationalForest
Twitter: @MalheurNF

Umatilla National Forest:
(541) 278-3716
www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF 
Twitter: @UmatillaNF

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest:
La Grande: (541) 962-8500 / Joseph: (541) 426-5546 / Baker City: (541) 523-6391
www.facebook.com/WallowaWhitmanNF
Twitter: @WallowaWhitman

 

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