Safety and Outdoor Ethics
Information board and restrooms at East Bay Campground.
Safety tip: All forest visitors are encouraged to notify family or friends of their trip itinerary including their expected return schedule. It is common for weather conditions to change suddenly in mountainous terrains; sunny mornings can turn into stormy afternoons.
Always be prepared for bad weather. Remember you can't count on cell phone coverage in remote areas!
Key Safety Information
The most effective way to prevent mishaps is to adequately prepare for the trip. Knowledge of the area, weather, terrain, limitations of your body, plus a little common sense can help to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Travel with a companion. You don't want to be by yourself in case of an emergency. Leave a copy of your itinerary with a responsible person. Include such details as the make, year, and license plate of your car, the equipment you're bringing, the weather you've anticipated, and when you plan to return. If you'll be entering a remote area, your group should have a minimum of four people; this way, if one is hurt, another can stay with the victim while two go for help. If you'll be going into an area that is unfamiliar to you, take along someone who knows the area or at least speak with those who do before you set out. If an area is closed, do not go there. Know ahead of time the location of the nearest telephone or ranger station in case an emergency does occur on your trip.
Be in good physical condition. Set a comfortable pace as you hike. A group trip should be designed for the weakest member of the group. If you have any medical conditions, discuss your plans with your health care provider and get approval before departing. Make sure you have the skills you need for your camping or hiking adventure. You may need to know how to read a compass, erect a temporary shelter, or give first aid. Practice your skills in advance. If your trip will be strenuous, get into good physical condition before setting out. If you plan to climb or travel to high altitudes, make plans for proper acclimatization to the altitude.
Think about your footing while traveling near cliffs. Trees and bushes can't always be trusted to hold you. Stay on developed trails or dry, solid rock areas with good footing.
Wear appropriate clothing for the trail conditions and season.
Check your equipment. Keep your equipment in good working order. Inspect it before your trip. Do not wait until you are at the trailhead. Be sure to pack emergency signaling devices.
Be weather wise. Keep an eye on current and predicted weather conditions. In this area, weather can change very quickly. Know the signs for approaching storms or changing weather conditions. Avoid bare ridge tops, exposed places, lone trees, streams, and rocks during lightning storms. Find shelter in a densely forested area at a lower elevation. Even in the summer, exposure to wind and rain can result in hypothermia.
Learn basic first aid so you will know how to identify and treat injuries and illnesses. Carry a first aid kit with you. Learn how to identify the symptoms of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hypothermia, and dehydration, and know how to treat them.
Long exposure of forested night sky.
Make camp before dark. Traveling after darkness has resulted in many accidents from falls, so travel only during daylight. Set up camp well away from the edge of cliffs and learn the terrain during daylight. If you have to leave camp after dark, stay in areas you have seen in daylight, go with a friend, and always use a good flashlight.
Be alert for slippery areas and take your time to avoid tripping. Low-hanging branches and variable terrains make running unsafe, and leaves can hide slippery areas underneath.
Alcohol and cliffs don't mix! If you drink, stay away from the cliffs. Judgment, agility, and balance are all reduced by alcohol consumption.
Think before you drink! No matter how clean or pure stream water looks, it's likely to contain water-borne parasites and micro-organisms that can cause discomfort and sometimes serious illness. Pack your water in or purify through chemical treatment.
Navigation: Map, altimeter, compass, [GPS device], [PLB or satellite communicators], [extra batteries or battery pack] (*Don't rely solely on a mobile device for navigation.)
Headlamp/flashlight with extra batteries.
Fire: Matches, candle or firestarter - make sure matches are protected.
Knife: plus, any repair kit
First aid: carry items that take care of blisters, headaches, foot care, insect repellent etc.
Sun protection: glasses, sunscreen, sun protective clothing
Emergency items: light shelter, mirror and whistle.
Extra clothing: Raingear and non-cotton layers.
Extra water: at least one quart, means to purify
Extra food: high energy snack such as chocolate, jerky or protein bars.
We need every visitor's help in keeping our public lands healthy. Learn some key principles you can practice to help forest ecosystems stay intact for future generations. Also be aware that additional regulations apply in all designated Wilderness areas. View the key principles of Leave No Trace.
The 7 Leave No Trace Principles:
Plan Ahead and Prepare:Know where you’re going! Maps are available online for free, and for purchase at our office locations. Have enough food, water, and supplies like warm clothing for your travels. Always tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Camp away from springs and riparian areas like streams, which are especially valuable and sensitive. Many plants are easily trampled, and wildlife rely on these areas. Other fragile areas are subalpine meadows and wildflower fields. Durable surfaces are places like rock outcroppings, bare dirt patches, and beds of pine needles.
Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all belongings and trash and bury human waste at least 6 inches deep away from water sources. Some forest campgrounds may not have trash services.
Leave What You Find: Archeological sites are precious and protected. The Malheur National Forest has thousands of years of history. These old places are sometimes the only way we can know what people’s lives were like in the past. Natural features are precious too; so please do not deface natural features or harvest materials without the proper permits.
Minimize Campfire Impacts: Campfires can cause lasting impacts on the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Use established fire rings, pans, or mound fires where fires are permitted. Keep fires small. Use only sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes. Know current fire regulations.
Respect Wildlife: Do not feed wildlife or leave trash or food out for animals to get. Human food isn’t good for them and can either make them dependent or harmful to people. Give animals space if you spot them. Safe distances are about 75 feet from deer and elk, and 300 feet from bears, wolves, and cougars.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors: The forest belongs to everyone! Keep loud noises to a minimum, especially in high use areas like campgrounds or picnics spots. Many of our camping areas have posted quiet hours, so be respectful of things like generators, music, and big gatherings.
Pay close attention to your surroundings and landmarks, and relate this to your location on a map.
Stay calm if you get lost, panic is your greatest enemy. Try to remember how you got to your present location.
Trust your map and compass, and do not walk aimlessly. If you are on a trail, don't leave it.
Stay put if it is nightfall, if you are injured, or if you are near exhaustion.
As a last resort, follow a drainage or stream downhill. This can be hard going but will often lead to a trail or road.
Cougars, bears, and other large mammals are some of the wildlife that call Fremont-Winema National Forest home. Learn more about these animals and how to share the forest safely. Remember to NEVER feed wildlife, help keep wildlife wild.
Hikers ALWAYS assume risks when entering trails in natural areas, but in burned areas those risks are greater.
Your safety is in your hands! Below are some tips for minimizing your exposure to natural hazards.
1. Learn the Risks
Risks in burned areas include falling trees and limbs, uneven/unstable ground full of holes from burned root systems, falling rocks, difficulty navigating through sections of trail, and possible landslides, debris flows, and flash floods. These are elevated during high winds, and during and after heavy rains and winter storms.
2. Know Your Route
Plan your hike and hike your plan!
Bring a quality map showing topography and natural features and a compass AND/OR a proper GPS unit that you know how to use. We don't recommend using your phone for navigation, as it is also your lifeline in an emergency and the batteries can run out when things don't go according to plan. Cross check your route against maps of the burned area so you know more about what to expect.
3. Check the Weather Before Heading Out
Weather is a major trigger for hazards. Check the 48-hour weather outlook before heading out. Here's what to watch for...
- HIGH WIND knocks down standing dead trees ("snags") and branches ("widow-makers"), creating serious risks for those on hiking trails. If high or gusty winds are forecasted, DON’T GO INTO A BURNED AREA.
- MAJOR STORMS including rain or snow can trigger flash floods, landslides, and debris flows. The Gorge's steep slopes remain unstable, with increased risks of landslides and debris flows for a FEW DAYS AFTER a major storm.
4. Phone a Friend
It's always better to hike with a partner! You should also leave a trip plan with family or friends that includes:
- Location of your car.
- Planned hiking route, and any possible alternative.
- Your expected return time.
- Cell phone number and service provider.
5. Sign up for Alerts
Visit OR-Alert for more.
6. Pack the Essentials
Hikers should carry the 10 Essential Systems: navigation, insulation, illumination, emergency shelter, first aid supplies, water, fire, repair kit and tools, nutrition, and a form of communication.
7. Stay on Established Trails
Check for trail closures. If trail signs are missing or downed trees and landslides make it hard to follow the trail, stick within your comfort level with navigating through natural areas. TURN BACK IF NECESSARY.
8. Look and Listen for Hazards
While in a burned area, SCAN for overhead hazards. LISTEN for falling trees, limbs, and rocks. WATCH OUT for stump holes and increased stream flows.
9. Know When to Turn Around
The trails and areas that remain closed are among the worst hit by the fire and include extreme post-fire hazards. RESPECT signs, barriers, and fences and turn around when you encounter closed areas. Please remember that entering closed areas creates risks for others, such as first responders. If wind picks up while in an area, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY.
10. Don't Panic if You Get Lost
If you realize you are lost and your surroundings are safe, STOP where you are. Refer to your map or GPS to attempt to figure out where you are. Do not leave a trail or road, because they increase your chance of being found. If you have cell phone reception, CALL 911. Have the dispatcher attempt to get a GPS location from your phone, which means staying on the phone at least 2-3 minutes. At this point, restrict your phone use to essential calls -- use text messages instead. Don't use your phone as a flashlight -- this will drain the battery, and you may need it later. Stay warm by adding layers from your pack. If you need to survive for several days, build a visible shelter and depending on the season and fire restrictions, you may need to build a fire.