Tahuya River Horse Camp to close temporarily, starting May 17

Click on the map for a larger view.

Reports of misuse and dangerous behavior have prompted DNR to temporarily close the Tahuya River Horse Camp, beginning Friday, May 17.  We are working with the Tahuya Focus Group and law enforcement to find a solution that will enable us to reopen the campground as soon as possible.

As manager and steward of Washington’s state trust lands, DNR is committed to providing safe and sustainable experiences for recreation users. We also know that most of the people who like to recreate on these lands are law-abiding citizens who want to enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, the actions of a few often affect the majority.

Working together to practice safe and sustainable recreation will help ensure that we—and future generations—have access to these lands.
DNR will continue to do everything it can to provide a safe recreational experience for its many users. We hope to reopen the Tahuya River Horse Camp as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Stay tuned for updates on the reopening of the Tahuya River Horse Camp. For more information, contact Doug McClelland, 206-920-5907.

Find out about other recreation opportunities on state trust lands at www.dnr.wa.gov/recreation.

About state trust lands

Washington state trust lands provide a continuous flow of revenue for specific beneficiaries—such as K-12 education—and benefits for the public. Recreation access to these lands is permitted, provided the activities are compatible with DNR’s management obligations.

Volunteer at a National Trails Day event and make a difference!

Trails Day 2012 volunteers in Blanchard Forest. Photo by: Diana Lofflin, DNR

The American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® is June 1. With the recent heat wave, it’s a great time to get out there and enjoy some of Washington’s beautiful trails. Celebrate National Trails Day® by volunteering to improve and develop the trails you love, at one of the many Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) events.

National Trails Day® is a celebration of the vast system of trails in the United States. All across the country organizations, as well as individuals, are organizing events to encourage people to experience the nature that surrounds them.

National Trails Day® is also a day to celebrate the volunteers that make it all possible. For every breathtaking view we have the chance to experience, there’s a volunteer who gave their time to share it with us.

Introduce a friend to Washington’s beautiful trails and invite them to one of these National Trails Day® volunteer events on June 1.

Tiger Mountain National Trails Day Event® – Near Tacoma

Help DNR and the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance construct a new non-motorized trail in East Tiger Mountain State Forest. To join in the fun, please sign-up through the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.

Volunteers work on the Tarbell Trail. Photo: Josh Riepe, DNR

Little Pend Oreille ORV Trail Maintenance Day June 1- National Trails Day – Near Colville

Come out to Little Pend Oreille ORV Trail and help get the trails ready for the busy season. Volunteers will clear trails of brush, limbs, and other debris. We will also be working to replace boards on bridges, clean out culvert headwalls, and digg out or install waterbars.

Blanchard Forest National Trails Day® Event – Near Bellingham

Join a variety of groups as they work together to clean up Blanchard Forest. There is work for all skill and fitness levels. North Cascade Soaring Club, Pacific Northwest Trail Association, Skagit Chapter BCHW, Whatcom Chapter BCHW, and Whatcom Trails Cooperative are co-sponsoring the event.

Selah Cliffs NAP National Trails Day Event® – Near Yakima

Help pull knapweed along the valley bottom and clean-up the interpretative trail at Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve. Bring along work gloves, sturdy work shoes, lunch, water, sunscreen, and small digging tool if possible. Some tools will be available to use.

Reiter Foothills National Trails Day Event® – Near Gold Bar

Volunteers will work on ATV trails. Please bring your ATV and trailer to haul rock. If you don’t have one, there will also be opportunities to use powered wheel barrows, install signs, and other activities to build trails.

Tarbell Trail National Trails Day® Volunteer Event, Yacolt Burn – Near Vancouver

The Chinook Trail Association and volunteers will work on the Tarbell Trail between the L1300 Road and Cold Creek Day use area. We will harden the trail, do drainage maintenance, and possibly install skid resisters on puncheons.

Wedekind Trail National Trails Day® Volunteer Event, Capitol State Forest – Near Olympia

Join the Friends of Capitol Forest in replacing a section of old wooden puncheons with a number of culverts and improving drainage along the trail. Volunteers will also work on rehabbing the Wedekind Trail to remove fallen rocks and debris from the C-Line fire and fire fighting operations.

National Trails Day® on Mailbox Peak – Near North Bend

Join DNR and the Mountains to Sound Greenway at mailbox peak to continue construction of the new sustainable hiking trail. Visit the Mountains to Sound Greenway website to sign up for the event.

Nicholson Horse Trails Maintenance - Near Elbe

Join DNR and the Pierce County Backcountry Horsemen to do maintenance on Nicholson Horse Trail. Backcountry Horsemen will provide a late lunch at the end of the day for the trail workers.  Coffee and sweets in the morning!

Mt Tahoma Trails Maintenance June 1 and June 2- Near Ashford

Mt. Tahoma Trails Association and DNR will be working together to do trail maintenance on June 1 and June 2. To join in the fun meet at the Ashford Fire Station, at 29815 Hwy 706 E, by 10 a.m. Dinner on Saturday will be provided in Ashford by the Mt Tahoma Trails Association.

We’ll see you on the Trails!

If you’d like to know more about volunteer opportunities on DNR managed lands check out the DNR volunteer events page.

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Wildfire in Capitol State Forest causes some recreation closures

A helicopter fighting the fire in Capitol State Forest. Photo by: Chuck Turley

5/7 Update: Fire is now 90% contained at 80-acres. Roads are open. Use caution. There may be heavy equipment still in use. 

 The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is fighting a wildfire that started early Sunday morning in Capitol State Forest; the cause of the fire is still under investigation (more information on the fire).

The fire has burned 60 acres, affecting hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails.

Roads and recreation sites affected by the fire

The C-line road is closed starting from the Delphi Entrance near Noschka Road (see Capitol State Forest map). 

Location of fire activities in Capitol State forest. Photo: DNR

From the Rock Candy Entrance, C-4000 is closed as well. Fall Creek Campground and Trailhead, Little Larch Trail, Wedekind, and Green Line Trail are just a few of the main recreation sites affected by these road closures.

The closure may land right in the middle of our recent wave of nice weather, but you don’t have to let this inconvenience keep you from enjoying the sunshine. Here’s a list of a few great alternative recreation areas within 50 miles of Capitol State Forest.

Tahuya State Forest. Tahuya offers recreation opportunities for a variety of activities, including off-road vehicle riding (ORV), horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, camping and other uses.

Green Mountain State Forest. Located a few miles west of Bremerton, Green Mountain offers 13 miles of trails and recreation opportunities for a variety of activities including horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, camping, and other uses.

Elbe Hills and Tahoma State Forest. Located 6 miles east of Elbe, Elbe Hills offers trails for horseback riding, ORV riding, hiking, and camping.

Outdoor burning is the leading cause of wildfire ignition. One of the best ways to protect access to your local recreation area is to manage your campfires responsibly. Be sure to follow these tips next time you enjoy an evening around the fire:

• Never leave a campfire unattended at any time.
• Drown fire thoroughly with water.
• Stir until cold.
• Drown fire again and stir.
• Never leave a campfire until it is completely out and cool to the touch.

It looks like it’s shaping up to be a beautiful summer! Be safe out there and remember, you are our eyes and ears in the forest. That makes you our best chance in catching wildfires and other issues early on. To report a fire, call 9-1-1. To report other illegal activities call 1-855-883-8368 or email forestwatch@dnr.wa.gov .

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New Capitol State Forest map gets a tip of the hat from ThurstonTalk

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently updated its Capitol State Forest map. Thurston Talk got their hands on a copy of the new map and wrote an article for their website.

The author points out that many trails and roads in the forest have changed over recent years, bringing about the need for updates to the Capitol State Forest map. DNR used the update as an opportunity to improve on the older version of the map.

While the new map has increased the accuracy of the listed trails, it also added a few new features. One of these new features mentioned in the article is the Fun Guide. The Fun Guide is a large section of the map dedicated to pointing out several popular features of Capitol State Forest. With points of interest such as best mountain biking loop, most peaceful walk, best drive and best camping, users are guaranteed to find something new whether they’re newcomers or regular visitors to Capitol State Forest.

The author of the article was able to provide an interesting perspective on the map and its new features. Check out the article on Thurston Talk, and for more information on the new Capitol State Forest map check out these related links:

Top 5 reasons to download the new Capitol State Forest map onto your smartphone
New Capitol State Forest map is hot off the presses!

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DNR invites public to meeting on Reiter Foothills recreation plan

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting on May 7 to receive comments on the proposed non-motorized recreation trail plan for Reiter Foothills.

DNR and the public have been collaborating since 2009 to develop a recreation plan that takes into account the many users, as well as the environmental well-being, of the Reiter Foothills in Snohomish County.

Join DNR Recreation staff on May 7 to learn about proposed non-motorized trails at Reiter Foothills. Photo by: DNR

The plan is currently going through the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review process. The May 7 meeting will be a great opportunity for the public to learn about the SEPA process, discuss their concerns, and submit their SEPA comments.

The meeting will take place:

When: Tuesday May 7, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Park Place Middle School
1408 W. Main Street
Monroe, WA

Join us and invite your friends on facebook.

Those attending the meeting will have an opportunity to share their thoughts about the environmental impacts of the proposed trails. Comments and suggestions about how to limit damage to the natural or built environments will be carefully considered by in the SEPA review.

Comments from the public about the SEPA process must be received before 4:30 p.m., May 14, 2013, by the SEPA Center at sepacenter@dnr.wa.gov or PO Box 47015, Olympia, Washington 98504-7015

Visit the SEPA website for more information about the proposed project and to review the plan.

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Reiter Foothills Test Rides Draws a Crowd

Riders leave first tracks at Reiter Foothills

Calling all trailblazers! Rare opportunity on September 30 to lay out hiking, biking and equestrian trails at Reiter Foothills!

Invite your friends to the event on Facebook!

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Take a hike…a nature hike that is! Celebrate Native Plant Appreciation Week with DNR

Photo of wildflowers at Lacamas Prairie. Photo: Carlo Abbruzzese, DNR.

Today kicks off Native Plant Appreciation Week in Washington, and as spring brings the landscape to life around us, it’s a great time to celebrate Washington’s diverse ecosystem. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be hosting events across the state.

 April 27 — A native plant walk at the Lacamas Prairie Natural Area Preserve (near Camas) is scheduled for anyone interested in an informative tour of some of Washington’s native flora.

April 27 — Celebrate native plants with a nature hike at West Tiger Mountain (near Issaquah)

May 4 — Wildflower Hike at Columbia Hills State Park. Join DNR staff and State Park staff for a hike around Columbia Hills State Park.

Find out more about Native Plant Appreciation Week

Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work® at DNR

Kids had the chance to meet Smokey Bear at DNR’s Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work® Day event. Photo by: DNR/Jessica Payne

Yesterday the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrated Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work® Day with the children of state employees.

This year, the Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work® Foundation partnered with the National Association of State Foresters to introduce children to careers in forestry. Almost a hundred kids came out to learn about the jobs we do at DNR, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Washington Department of Agriculture.

For half a day, the Natural Resources Building here in Olympia was transformed into an education fair featuring trees, bugs, and geodes. Kids had an opportunity to learn how foresters work in the woods and try to stump the forester with their questions. They got up close with bugs while learning about forest health from one of DNR’s entomologists.

This little girl is proud to show off a sparkly geode at the Washington Geology Library exhibit for the event. Photo by: DNR/Jessica Payne

At the Washington Geology Library, children learned the life-cycle of a rock and identified special rocks, from geodes to the Washington state gem:petrified wood. Many kids put their directional skills to the test by learning to use a compass and trying to complete the orienteering course mapped out by DNR’s recreation staff. They were given a noble fir seedling from DNR’s Webster Nursery and practiced proper planting with the Washington Conservation Corps Urban Forestry team.

These little girls got to get an up close look at the bugs that affect the health of Washington’s trees. Photo by: DNR/Jessica Payne

Participants also learned how Geographic Information System (GIS) specialists make maps and use technology to help DNR teams fight wildland fires.

They also experienced what it’s like to be a DNR firefighter by meeting some of the team, trying on personal protective equipment, and meeting Smokey Bear, who paid a special visit. Even Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark came down to meet the children, thank the volunteers, and snap a quick photo with Smokey.

View photos from the event on our Flickr page here.

DNR is happy to have had the opportunity to recruit our future generations of state land managers. If you are interested in finding out about the several types of careers that DNR has to offer, visit our jobs page and apply to work with DNR today.

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Recreation Alert in Blanchard Forest: Road maintenance will limit weekday access

Volunteers help with a temporary fix to the roads up to the Blanchard Forest. Photo: Diana Lofflin, DNR.

May  16 – The BL-16 (formerly the B-1000) is closed 6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 BLML – closed for the day

May 13 – 16 Intermittent delays – roads will be open.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be replacing old culverts and fixing worn roads in the Blanchard Forest Block.

Construction will begin May 6 and run through July 1.

During the weekday construction, you can expect intermittent road closures for up to 10 hours, and expect up to 20-minute delays otherwise. The Blanchard Lower Trailhead will be accessible throughout the process, allowing for trail access  (see map).

Good news: The construction will only take place Monday through Thursday, from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekend warriors will still have the opportunity to play at Blanchard without any delays Friday through Sunday.

If you are looking to use the paragliding launch site or access the upper trails on a weekday, check back on this blog and we will post construction updates below.

May 16 – The BL-16 (formerly the B-1000) will be closed - 6:30 a.m – 4 p.m.
May 13 – 16 Intermittent road closures and delays expected
May 20 – 23 Intermittent road closures and delays expected
May 27 – 30 Intermittent road closures and delays expected
June 3 – 6 Intermittent road closures and delays expected
June 10 – 13 Intermittent road closures and delays expected
June 17 – 20 Intermittent road closures and delays expected
June 24 – 27 Intermittent road closures and delays expected

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It’s National Volunteer Week and DNR’s motorized community is getting into gear!

A young volunteer lends a hand at the 2012 Beverly Dunes Clean-Up. Photo: Eastern Washington Adventures.

April 21-27 is National Volunteer Week and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has organized a number of opportunities to get involved and improve the recreation available to you on DNR-managed lands.

All across the country we are being reminded of the important role that volunteers have played in making America what it is today. 

More than 64 million people volunteered in 2012 in the United States. They donated personal time to help their communities—from serving food, to improving local parks, and fundraising for charitable organizations.

Why do people volunteer to help their community? Some do it because they feel the need to give something back. Some are looking for an opportunity to gain new skills. Others find that volunteering is just a great way to get out and meet like-minded people. Whatever the motivation, DNR appreciates the hard work people contribute every year.

Don’t forget to thank a volunteer next week.

DNR has planned the following events for the weekend of April 27 and 28. This is your chance to help improve recreation in your community.

Help fix trails this weekend in Little Pend Orielle. Photo: Kyle Pomrankey

Beverly Dunes Clean-Up, April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join Yakima Kittitas Forest Watch Group and DNR as they clean up Beverly Dunes. Please bring gloves, lunch, and water.
Contact Mike Williams at 509-925-0973 or michael.williams@dnr.wa.gov

Little Pend Oreille ORV Trail Clean-Up – April 27-28, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Help clean up Little Pend Oreille ORV area. Volunteer activities include clearing trails of blowdowns, limbs, and other debris. Please bring gloves, handsaw, axe, appropriate riding gear, lunch, and water.
Contact Kyle Pomrankey at 509-685-2719 or kyle.pomrankey@dnr.wa.gov

Elbe ORV Trail Spring Clean-Up – April 27-28 10 a.m to 6 p.m.
Join the Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association (PNW4WDA) and Elbe Focus Group for two days of spring cleaning at Elbe State Forest. Everyone should bring gloves, boots (or sturdy shoes), clothing appropriate for the weather, food and water. If you have shovels, rakes or pulaskis, bring them. Some tools will be available.
Contact Nancy Barker at 253-312-4301 or nancy.barker@dnr.wa.gov

Come out and volunteer to receive a voucher towards a complimentary Discover Pass. Check out more events for the weekend of April 27 & April 28 on our volunteer calendar.

You can find more information on these events on the DNR recreation and events page, and invite your friends to events on DNR’s Facebook page.

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Top 5 boating tips before you hit the water

Kayakers take advantage of nice weather to paddle in Puget Sound. Photo: DNR.

With the arrival of spring, you may be anxious to get out on the water and play! However, there have been many close calls due to the chilly spring runoff in rivers and the unpredictable weather in the Sound.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is an advocate of safe and sustainable recreation. Before you head out to play, make sure you follow these five safety tips:

1. Dress for the occasion. On a sunny day, a dip in the cool water might not sound like such a bad thing, but hypothermia can set in after only minutes of exposure. A wetsuit is a great way to stay safe and comfortable. If a wetsuit isn’t an option, wool clothing insulates better than cotton when wet.
2. Practice self-rescue. In the event that you end up in the water unintentionally, being able to get back into your boat in deep water is imperative. Practice self-rescue in safe water before heading out.
3. Be aware of off-shore winds. When kayaking in open water, make sure to pay attention to off-shore winds that can make the paddle back to shore difficult.
4. Paddle with a partner. If you kayak with a buddy, you’ll always have someone there in case of an emergency… plus, it’s much more fun.
5. Always wear your PFD (personal floatation device). The most important thing to remember is that PFDs save lives. Don’t paddle without one.
   

   A group of kayakers paddle in Bellingham Channel. Cypress Island and one of the Cone Islands are in the background. Photo: DNR/Jason Goldstein

If you want to take your paddling safety skills to the next level, check out these resources:

FREE online paddle safety course
Washington Water Trails Association

If you operate a motor boat, you’ll need to get your Boater Education Card from State Parks.

Remember, be safe and have a great time on the water!

Do you have any water safety tips? Please send your comments to recreation@dnr.wa.gov.

Find waterside recreation sites for DNR-managed lands, recreation rules, opening and closure information, and more on our Recreation web page.

 

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