Naches Ranger District New Trail Closure Plan

NACHES—Naches Ranger District will examine weather and trail conditions each spring to determine if restrictions are necessary on motorized trails.

“We’ve decided to proceed with annual motorized trail evaluations to determine the necessity of spring trail restrictions,” said Naches District Ranger Irene Davidson. “This decision will allow the Naches Ranger District to implement flexible restrictions on designated motorized trails, depending upon current trail and weather conditions.”

The effort is intended to minimize trail and resource damage on motorized trails; maintain a quality motorized trail system; educate the public about trail misuse, erosion and maintenance requirements; and maintain positive relationships with volunteer and recreational user groups.

The decision applies to Naches Ranger District trails with any type of motorized designation and excludes wilderness areas.

“If a motorized trail is designated closed, it is closed to all users—motorized or not,” said Davidson.

Implementation dates for trail restrictions would be flexible. Annual trail condition reports will determine if seasonal restrictions are necessary, appropriate implementation dates and the trails that will be included. Selected dates will be determined annually, based upon current weather data, snow pack and trail conditions.

“The Naches Ranger District predicts seasonal restrictions will occur between April 1 to June 1, based upon the average date of snow melt, average monthly rainfall and average number of storms with rainfall greater than a quarter inch,” said Naches Ranger District Hydrologist Bill Garrigues.

It is possible seasonal trail restrictions will be unnecessary in some years. Naches Ranger District trails may also have different dates for the implementation and rescinding of restrictions, depending upon their location and condition.

Condition reports from trail coordinators, hydrologists, trail crew members, user groups, law enforcement officers and national forest visitors will be used to determine if trail restrictions are needed to prevent natural resource damage.