Take the Reiter Foothills Forest ORV Trail Survey

Have you had a chance to ride the new 4×4, ATV, or single-track motorcycle trails at Reiter Foothills Forest?

Tell us about your experience riding the new trails at Reiter Foothills Forest. Photo: DNR/Sue Jensen

DNR staff want to know what you think! In just five minutes, you can take the survey. Your input will help DNR staff to make informed decisions while shaping the future motorized trails.

Take the Survey
Go online and take the survey today at http://bit.ly/ReiterSurvey

Trail construction at Reiter continues year-round.
Photo: DNR/Jessica Payne

Survey results will inform trail planners and land managers as they develop future recreation opportunities in the Reiter Foothills Forest.

Help us get the word out. Share the survey with your friends and family.

Reiter Foothills Forest Motorized Trail System
The motorized trail system at Reiter Foothills Forest is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Want to learn about the history and planning process? Need directions to Reiter? Or just want to know the nitty-gritty on the new trail systems?

Visit the Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Planning webpage and get maps, trail guides, and details on the area.

Volunteer at Reiter
February kicks off a new series of volunteer work parties at Reiter Foothills Forest.

Join DNR staff and other volunteers to build and maintain motorized and non-motorized trails at Reiter. Photo: DNR/Toni Droscher

These parties will focus on trail maintenance for the motorized trail system and trail construction for both the motorized and future non-motorized trail systems.

To get started, join DNR staff at the Deer Flats Mainline gate at 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, to work trail maintenance on the ATV and single-track motorcycle trails.

Learn more and get directions on the DNR Volunteer Calendar.

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Celebrate Thanksgiving with a trip to Reiter!

Challenge your skills this Thanksgiving holiday on new trails at Reiter Foothills Forest.
Photo by: DNR/David Way

A special “Thank you!” to volunteers from the off-road vehicle (ORV) community who have been staffing the gate to motorized trails at Reiter Foothills Forest this season.

Thanks to them, DNR has been able to keep the trails open much later in the season than we expected.

These same volunteers have gone above and beyond to make motorized recreation opportunities possible this holiday.

Thanksgiving Holiday Rides
Volunteers will keep gates open at Reiter Foothills Forest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Head up to Reiter and celebrate with friends or family this Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday (November 28 through December 1).

Remember – your Discover Pass is required to access the trails by vehicle. Find out if you need one for your ORV here.

Reiter Foothills Forest
If it’s been a while since you’ve visited Reiter, there are a lot of new trails to ride. Whether you’re a dirt biker, an ATV rider, or a 4×4 rock crawler, you can find something to enjoy.

End summer the ‘Reiter-way’

As many of you may know, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) opened new trails at Reiter to off-roaders for weekend use this past June. Now, there’s even more to celebrate!

Take the family on a beautiful adventure through Reiter’s new ATV Purple Line trail. Photo by: DNR/Jessica Payne

Today, DNR announced that two new sections are now open to the public. Load up the quad, the 4×4 truck, or dirt bike and enjoy the last days of summer adrenaline.

What weekend adventures should I expect at Reiter?
The ATV Purple Line and the 4×4 Connector Challenge trails are ready to be put to the test.

The new ATV Purple Line Trail is a breathtaking excursion through the sun-speckled understory of the forest.

The intimidating 4×4 Connector Challenge Trail is sure to give even the toughest Jeep a grappling test.

When can I go?
Reiter will be open on weekends until the end of September on the following schedule:

Friday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Starting in October, Reiter will be open Saturdays and Sundays only through the rest of the winter.

Keep posted on trail status by subscribing to our Northwest Region e-newsletter. Check out new trail maps, motorized trail rules, and 4×4 technical trail guidelines on our website.

Start your engines for the long-awaited opening of DNR’s ORV trails at Reiter!

Come out and ride the new trails at Reiter – Opening this weekend!
Photo by: DNR/Jessica Payne

Blog updated October 22, 2013
Update: Winter schedule began October 1. Trails are open Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through winter.

At least, the trails will be partially opened. On June 14, the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) opened recently completed ORV trails at Reiter Foothills near Gold Bar for you to fill this summer’s weekends with some rip-roaring action.

Come get some bragging rights
This course was designed with the help of local recreation enthusiasts in the community to give you a challenging, technical, bone-jarring ride that will put even seasoned riders to the test. Don’t you hate it when your friends discover something cool before you do? Don’t wait to hear stories about Reiter. You deserve to tell those tales yourself!

As a rider, you may ask yourself, “Five miles of trails? Is that really worth it?” and we can tell you, “Yes!” But don’t take our word for it — we’re challenging you to come out and see for yourself.

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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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.

Related Links:
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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Reiter Foothills Test Rides Draws a Crowd

Is this 4×4 trail a draw for the drivers or for the enjoyment of spectators? From the photo above, what do you think? Photo: David Way/DNR.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been hosting test rides on the first 4×4 trail built at Reiter Foothills Forest in Snohomish County since a  major restoration project began in November 2012. Word has spread, and 4×4 enthusiasts from across the state are participating in test rides to lay tracks on the new trails.

On Saturday February 9, some 35 off-road vehicle enthusiasts came out to play on their one-and-only designated 4×4 trail in Snohomish County. The crowd grew to more than 60 spectators, drivers, and even a few ‘back seat drivers.’

The 4×4 users also had an opportunity to take a survey that will guide recreation managers on future trail development.

Mark your calendars; the next 4X4 test day is February 17.

Get your 4×4 ready to go! This weekend there is a test ride at Reiter Foothills. Photo: David Way/DNR.

How much 4×4 trail is there?

Currently there is about 1,000 feet of finished 4×4 trail with another 1,000 feet of road base awaiting trail features. Every foot of the trail has a different log, boulder, or stump to crawl up, over or around. DNR plans to build another two more sections of challenge trail before July.

Are there single-track motorcycle trails, too?

Single-track motorcycle trails will be available for test rides as well. Two miles of trail were scheduled to be open, but snow and wet ground conditions forced DNR to close the trails during the recent and upcoming test rides. Join our Facebook page to find out when the single-track trails will be open for test rides. Check out Riders Leave First Track at Reiter Foothills for more information on the single-track trails.

The ATV trails are not yet ready, but we will let you know when you can bring those along to the test rides.

Reiter’s ongoing construction

Hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrian riders get ready! This summer, DNR will break ground on non-motorized trails at Reiter Foothills.

Beginning in April, Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crews will pick up where they left off last construction season on the motorized trails. The priority will be to finish the first section of ATV trail and then begin building the Green Line Single-Track Motorcycle Trail. 

Stay in the loop on what is happening and Reiter Foothills. Join DNR’s Northwest Monthly E-newsletter.

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2012 wrap up: Wildfires were big news this year

A glance back at postings to this blog in 2012 shows that wildfire was a big topic — in terms of the number of stories we posted and the number of people who read them. Here is a look back at 2012 through Ear to the Ground:

Wildfires consumed thousands of acres of forest and brush lands last summer. During August, September and early October, we posted daily (sometimes twice daily) updates about the several large fires burning in the state. For example, our blog, Washington wildfire update: 1 pm, Wednesday, September 12, brought readers up to date about 11 large wildfires burning at one time — most were started by lightning strikes.

One of our most popular posts of the year looked at the people on the frontlines of DNR’s wildfire response: A Day in the Life of a Firefighter: Table Mountain Fire. Our tips for protecting lives and property from wildfires also drew many readers, including our blog: With wildfire threatening Washington State, DNR wants you to be prepared.

Disaster of another type — earthquakes — drew readers in large numbers to the blog, Washington State’s earthquake and tsunami risks compare to Japan’s.

But it wasn’t all gloom and doom in 2012. Many readers were drawn to our blog in early September announcing a new mountain bike trail at popular Tiger Mountain State Forest, near Issaquah (Mountain bikers rejoice! New Tiger Mountain trail opens September 5).

State trust lands are open to many types of outdoor recreation, including hunting in season. With so many wildfires on state, federal and other public lands in the early days of the fall hunt season, many turned to our blog, Hunting Alert: what’s open and how to stay fire safe this season, to see which lands were still open.

And for those who enjoy motorized recreation, our several blogs about progress in creating safe riding trails at Reiter Foothills in Snohomish County drew many readers. Two of the more popular blogs about Reiter described the opening of a new motorcycle trail (Riders leave first tracks at Reiter Foothills), and a limited opening of a trail for 4X4s: Trick your rig and get ready for a 4×4 adventure at Reiter Foothills.

Another blog that drew many readers to Ear to the Ground was: Effective immediately: Discover Pass can now be transferred between two vehicles that described legislation taking effect on March 30.

Finally, we share another blog about wildfire: common sense prevention tips as demonstrated by Boy Scouts: You can’t have a campfire without these 5 necessary tips (you have our permission to print this one out and post it on your wall or bulletin board while you wait for spring outdoor recreation weather to show up.

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Trick your rig and get ready for a 4×4 adventure at Reiter Foothills!

Get your 4×4 ready to go! This weekend there is a test run at Reiter Foothills! Photo: Sue Jensen, DNR.

April 1 Update: The single-track motorcyle trail is snow-free and open for the April 6 test ride!

Load up your 4×4 dream machine and head out to the newly constructed 4×4 challenge course at Reiter Foothills Forest. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had the first test ride on November 17.

Do you prefer single-track motorcycle trails?

Single-track motorcycle trails will be available for test rides as well. Two miles of the Red Line and Blue Line trails will be open during these test rides. Check out Riders Leave First Track at Reiter Foothills for more information on the single-track trails.

Our ATV trails are not yet ready, but we will let you know when you can bring those along to the test rides.

Please note: Reiter will only be open for limited test rides on the dates listed below.

The nitty GRITTY

Mark your calendars; here are the dates of the test rides in the 4×4 and single-track areas:

• April 6 
• April 21
• May 5
• May 18 -

Test rides will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is limited parking and riders may be turned away until parking opens up.

Be sure to print your maps before you go:

• 4×4 challenge trails
• Single-track map – The Blue Line and Red Line are completed and ready to go!

 Your voice counts!

All riders will have an opportunity to complete a survey that will help the trail development team know how to make the trails even better!

DNR has 2 miles of single-single track motorcycle trail ready for you to test this weekend . Photo: Jessica Payne, DNR

Directions
From Gold Bar, head east on State Highway 2. Turn left on Reiter Road just outside of Gold Bar. Go 1 mile and stay to the right at the ‘Y’ in the road. Continue on Reiter Road for another 3.1 miles. As you approach the 3.2 mile mark you will be turning left onto a DNR forest road (commonly known as Deer Flats Road). As you approach the turn, there will be a tree with two bright orange painted dots, an arrow painted on the road with a big “R,” and a DNR sign that says “Entering Reiter Foothills Forest.”

Now for the fun part

Don’t forget your Discover Pass, your ticket to millions of acres of recreation opportunities on Washington state-managed recreation lands. The Discover Pass is now transferable between two vehicles.

 

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DNR’s recreation staff give thanks

Laurie Bergvall, Chris Robertson, and David Way pose in front of the new Reiter Foothills trail kiosk. Many staff expressed being grateful to the volunteers, staff, and dedicated user support that made it possible to build a sustainable trail system at Reiter Foothills. Photo: Jessica Payne, DNR

What are you grateful for?

This simple question was posed to many Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff, and the responses came flooding in. DNR will post these responses on their Facebook page.

DNR has a small, but dedicated, staff devoted to recreation. There are 36 full-time staff members that help to make your recreation experience safe and enjoyable. The DNR team includes planners who lay out and design sustainable trail systems, engineers who design safe bridges, recreation managers who ensure your experience is up to DNR standards, and volunteer coordinators who help organize work parties and write grant applications.

Curious about what they are thankful for? Below are some of the responses:

“I am truly thankful for the wonderful staff in NW Region and DNR who work so hard – working collaboratively with volunteers, citizen groups, and each other to provide an amazing variety of experiences for the recreating public.  As I get more exposure to the recreation program, I continue to be amazed at what our staff gets done with limited resources & budgets and in short timelines.  Their dedication, knowledge, and expertise in their field is top-notch!  And their positive, “let’s get it done” attitudes are truly an inspiration to me – I feel very grateful I have the opportunity to work with each one of the recreation staff.”

-Laurie Bergvall, State Lands Assistant Region Manager

“I’m thankful to all the regions that participate in the Road Access Entry Program for people with disabilities. Without them, these hunters would not be able to enjoy the great outdoors with their families and friends.”

-Heidi Stephens, Hunting Access Program Coordinator

“I’m thankful for all the hours of hard work provided by our committed volunteers and their letters of support for our grant applications this year!  We couldn’t do it without them!”

-Jim Cahill, Recreation Manager

Volunteers with the Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) laugh as they unwind from a day of building trails. Kirk Thomas mentioned that he is thankful for the work being done by the young adults that are the next generation of leaders and environmental stewards. Photo: Jessica Payne, DNR

“I am thankful after four years in the planning and development that we have motorcycle and 4×4 trails constructed at Reiter.”

-Mark Mauren, Recreation Program Manager

“I am so grateful to all the citizens who have dedicated their time to help guide recreation planning on DNR lands. People across the state have participated on citizen planning committees in six major planning efforts.”

-Diana Lofflin, Recreation Communications Manager

“I am grateful for the great working relationship and communication with the Elbe State Lands Group.  This allows us to integrate recreation with state land activity planning and keeps our user groups informed on upcoming impacts to trails and facilities.”

Nancy Barker, Recreation Manager in Elbe State Forest

“I am thankful that much of the on-the-ground work being done to conserve and enhance our natural resources and recreation opportunities is being done by the young adults that are the next generation of leaders and environmental stewards.”

Kirk Thomas, Field Operations Coordinator

“I am thankful for the Department’s dedication to the implementation of the Reiter Foothills Plan. With limited staff to plan, coordinate, and implement such an extensive undertaking, we continue to accomplish key milestones.  This project is a great example of the Department’s ongoing commitment to balance the demands of the recreation community and the trust land stewardship obligations.”

David Way, Reiter Foothills Recreation Manager

It is the time of year time for all of us to give thanks for all that we have including having access to beautiful landscapes across the state.

What are you thankful for? Let us know on our Facebook page.

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