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Freund Canyon Trail Restrictions
Release Date:
A portion of Freund Canyon trail (FS Trail #6701) is being restricted to use because of active logging operations in the area impacting recreationists safety. The portion of trail affected extends from the FS Trail #6701 intersection with Forest Service Road #7702 and up across the South Fork of Freund Creek, a distance of approximately 3 miles.
See MAP of Closure [PDF]
The Freund Canyon Trail is a very popular trail, especially for mountain bikers. The closure will not affect the popular Bavarian Bike and Brews event held in June.
Freund Canyon Trail lies entirely on a route also known as Forest Service Road #7702. The road was originally built in the 1960s and was most recently used for timber haul for the salvage timber sales following the 1994 wildfires in the Leavenworth area. When not being used as a road, the route reverts to a trail that is widely used by mountain bikes. During fuel reduction operations the road will be closed. After the fuel reduction treatments are complete, the road will be rehabilitated and again support trail use. Trail work will likely commence in spring of 2015.
Why is this necessary? The Douglas-fir forest within the project area is severely infected with mistletoe and root rot. The area will be treated using a combination of fuel reduction through heavy thinning and tree removal and underburning. Because of the close proximity to Leavenworth, a fuel break will be created to help reduce the threat of wildfire to the community. It is anticipated that logging will be completed by early summer.
When these operations are complete the area will be planted with ponderosa pine, a tree species which is more resistant to fire. The end result will be a more open stand of timber that is resistant to wildfire.
The fuels reduction project is part of the Chumstick Hazardous Fuels Reduction project, an on-going project focused on making the lower Chumstick drainage more fire-safe.
For more information about this project please contact the Wenatchee River Ranger District during business hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call (509) 548-2550
See MAP of Closure [PDF]
