UPDATE 9/10: SCAPPOOSE IS OPEN! (Original Post: Timberlands Closed due to Fire Danger)
Updated 09/10/2009:
Per John Joy, the trails in Scappoose are now open.
Updated 08/04/2009:
Northwest Trail Alliance has received communications from Longview Timberlands that they have had violations of the fire closure signs posted on their lands. They have indicated that law enforcement has been notified and that citations will be issued for violations of the closure. They also informed us that if these violations continue that they will permanently close off access to Longview Fibre lands.
Everyone needs to keep in mind that access to Longview Fibre property is a privilege granted by the landowners. This is not public property and is not subject to public hearings or debate on how the land is used. It is strictly up to the landowner to decide who, how, and when their property is used.
From the AP-
Weyerhaeuser shuts Wash timber lands
by The Associated Press
Wednesday July 29, 2009, 9:17 AM
FEDERAL WAY -- Weyerhaeuser Co. has temporarily closed its timber land operations in Washington state because of the hot, dry weather.
Company spokeswoman Shannon Hughes says work on the approximately 1 million acres of company land was halted Tuesday afternoon. Weyerhaeuser's mills and other facilities remain open.
Hughes says Weyerhaeuser closed its tree farms to public access late last week in Washington and Oregon because of the heat.
Longview Timberlands, formerly Longview Fibre Co., also has closed about 332,000 acres of forest land in Oregon and 321,000 acres in Washington to public access.
-- The Associated Press
FYI The Scappoose trails are on Longview Timberlands and the trails near Longview and Castle Rock are on Weyerhaeuser Lands.
Upcoming Events
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Posted at Scappoose, No Riding at this time
It's been confirmed that the Scappoose trail network is included in this land-use restriction due do fire hazards. Check back for more specifics on the closure.
trails closed, Scappoose. Good to Know
Im glad everyone is giving updates on this. I would hate it if the trails get closed because of a few bad apples. SO AGAIN TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO NOT RIDE ON CLOSED TRAILS RIGHT NOW. Maybe someone needs to get the word out to local bike shops that Scapooose is closed. thnaks.
Trespass charges being given by Sherrif
Hey folks,
I went by there today on my way to road ride and the sheriff was giving out trespass violations. As well, when I chatted with Steve one of the security personnel for the timber area, he mentioned many people have been ignoring the signs... please don't or this will ruin it for everyone... he seemed very peeved and talked about removing access opportunities. My two cents of advice - wait until after the first good rain.
Ride hard, ride often... nuff said!
Mark
Did NWTA receive any notice from LF?
Just curious... I noticed the source of the news was from the AP news release.
But it's kind of a Weyerhauser release, and an "oh, BTW, LF also closed land in WA and OR, too" tone.
If we got notice as an organization, we could help communicate the message and perhaps get better compliance, IMO.
I haven't seen the new signs (probably hard to miss, right?), but I know that sometimes the message about access there can be confusing, especially for newer users of the property, with No Trespass signs present on some roads even when it's open.
We definitely don't want to lose access to this winter sanity saver...
Yes, Signs are pretty conspicous
Bright red and on every gate. There is no excuse.
We didn't know until we got there on sunday and instead took the road up to hwy 26 and out to Stuart stubb Park. not as sweet, but still fun riding. Ranger there said the new trails were coming along pretty well. and they were very receptive to mtn bikers.
Update
Northwest Trail Alliance has received communications from Longview Timberlands that they have had violations of the fire closure signs posted on their lands. They have indicated that law enforcement has been notified and that citations will be issued for violations of the closure. They also informed us that if these violations continue that they will permanently close off access to Longview Fibre lands.
Everyone needs to keep in mind that access to Longview Fibre property is a privilege granted by the landowners. This is not public property and is not subject to public hearings or debate on how the land is used. It is strictly up to the landowner to decide who, how, and when their property is used.
Thanks Jordan...
Thanks Jordan, for the update and posting here and the other venues you covered.
closures, etc
It shouldn't have to be said, but it is incumbent on everyone to know the "rules of the road" - in whatever you do.
In fire season anyone going out in the woods - public or private - need to make themselves aware of the fire danger and what they can or cannot do. The fire danger won't go down until we get some good soaking rain fall. Check individual National Forest or State Forest websites for the latest updates. Currently avoid private land. Be safe! Be sane! Have fun! (and don't shoot the messenger).
Jerry DeRuyter and David Blan having some fun on a recent work party on the Butte Camp Trail, Mount St Helens.
any update on fire closures??
Looks like weather is changing to be a bit cooler lately. Is or has the fire danger level changed yet?
Chances are it will have no
Chances are it will have no effect on the fire condition. The only thing at this point would be lots of rain which is not in the forcast.
more than a half inch of rain today
Seems like it is getting wet up there, any word on a reopening?
Still closed as of 8/13/2009
My buddy reported that the signs are still on every gate, as of yesterday.
Remember they close their lands for the whole State
I was up on Larch Mountain, OR on my road bike and saw that all the private land is also closed due to the fire danger.
Per Weyerhaeuser Company's hotline 888-741-5403, their forest lands in Columbia and Clatsop Counties are Closed as of Aug. 11. The Rocky Point Trails are not on Weyerhaeuser land but Longview Timber closely follows Weyerhaeuser's led.
DO NOT TRESPASS when the lands are closed. It may be until the end summer until they open after the fire season is over.
Any word on Scappoose?
I was just up at Scappoose last weekend (8/29) and the trails were still CLOSED. We've had a few days of occasional rain and cooler weather. Has anyone heard anything?
Not any time soon.
John Joy indicated that he doesn't expect the land managers to open things up without two weeks worth of rain. This may take until October/November.
Brent.
re: Scappoose still closed
I've heard it will take two weeks of rain before they open the trails again. For current information, call John Joy at five o three, seven o eight, five seven five two. He is the NWTA Scappoose rep, talks to the land manager regularly, and lives in the area.
The trails are open
John called me today. The trails in Scappoose are now open.
the trails are now open
gift basket ideas I am very stoked that the Scappoose trails are now open.
Fun under the blanket of darkness and webs
WOW!
First time that I've actually come across some of the better S-Track out there... not bad. I'm wondering though - if we ever needed to nickname this place... Enchanted Land of Darkness might be a good one! The thought of actually having a light in some parts crossed my mind multiple times today! And one other thing - this place has major cob-webs! Go figure! I've always wondered why I still continue to ride with the visor up front... today I found out why!
Anybody looking for a riding partner over the next week or two out here - is invited to shoot me a line. I've got a fairly flexible riding schedule (finally, it's only taken 3.5 years) and am really trying to get back into the Mtn. scene again. I ride rather slow, as long un-physically productive days have taken there toll - along with no base of Mtn. Condition worth mentioning. But still doin' it for da' Luv!
riding, scappoose
Hey im game for a ride. Right now i have a flexible schedule. im not to fast, kinda depends how im feeling and shape,etc. so i wont dust ya butt on the trails. just drop me a line if ya want to ride. mornings work the best for me. woul dlike to ride Monday. thanks. Bryan 503-349-8614
I suppose I could head up to
I suppose I could head up to Scappoose tomorrow - was planning and looking into something around Rogers/Brown/Gales... any interest in that maybe? If not - maybe a Tuesday morning ride at Scappoose?
hey missed that post, ride 28th
hey sorry i mised ya post for riding. nice to put a face with the name though after the meeting. will have to set up something for this coming week. i got till thursday to ride then im going tobe out of town till the 17th. tryn to fit in riding with hunting too. so got to plan accrodingly. just let me know were ya want to ride just right now i prefer scappoose cause of time constraints. get back to me later qanuk. thnaks. bryan aka hamster
Anyone got any updates on
Anyone got any updates on how the trail condition up there is?
Tom-Sniper Rifle
Anyone up for Tuesday or Thursday evening ride?
I have Tuesday and Thursday evenings free and would like to go check out the Scappoose trails... anyone interested? Anytime after 3:30 works. I have never ridden there, so be prepared to get a little lost if you don't know the trails either.
Adam.