The existing trails around Timothy lake are a great place to take family and friends. Please take the time to send your comments to help PGE build more trails open to bikes. If you have never been, you should. Find out more about the trails & the area: MTB Project – Timothy Lake Loop.
CALL TO ACTION! – Please submit comments about the propsal below to Tony Dentel, PGE Parks and Recreation Program Manager, at [email protected], before December 31, 2019.
The following information has been reproduced from the PGE notice.
Timothy Lake Trails Implementation Plan. Project Outreach and Information Newsletter November, 2019
Portland General Electric (PGE) operates the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project under a license administered by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The Recreation Resources Management Plan for the project provides guidance for PGE to improve existing trails at Timothy Lake, create additional trails, and convert existing roads to trails.
In 2018, PGE, with input from users like yourself, prepared a trail plan that provides an assessment of existing trail conditions, prioritizes trail improvements, and identifies new trail opportunities. Also in 2018, the Clackamas River Recreation Work Group (CRRWG) identified opportunities for the location of additional trails at Timothy Lake. The potential location of new trails was guided by findings from the trail user surveys, trail user patterns, and enforcement challenges.
PGE is now proposing to create three new trail segments and one new trailhead to benefit hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians in areas adjacent to Timothy Lake. The proposed trail segments provide additional loops and connections between existing trails in areas that are under-utilized, provide separation between user groups where there are conflicts, and improve user safety.
Figure 1 shows the general area where new trails are being considered.
Site #1 – West Shore Loop. The objective in this area is to provide a loop trail for users who want to explore the shoreline of Timothy Lake, while providing a return route (loop) that includes a variety of terrain, vegetation, and visual elements that are distinctly different from the outbound shoreline trail.
Site #2 – Crater Creek Crossing. The objective in this area is to minimize bike use of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) on the approaches to the Crater Creek bridge crossing. The Timothy Lake Bike Trail shares use of a segment of the Pacific Crest Trail on the approaches to Crater Creek; however, bike use on the PCT is prohibited.
Site #3 – Oak Fork Crossing. The objective in this area is to provide a connecting trail between the existing Timothy Lake (South Shore) Shoreline Trail and the Timothy Lake Bike Trail. A connecting trail between these locations would reduce the route distance and provide a safer route (eliminating two crossings of Highway 57) for bikers to get to the Timothy Lake Bike Trail.
Site #4 – South Shore Equestrian Parking and Trailhead. The objective in this area is to provide parking for vehicles with horse trailers and a connecting trail from the parking area to the Timothy Lake Trail for equestrian users.
The proposed trail segments are on National Forest System land, managed by the Mt. Hood National Forest. The trails would be constructed following Forest Service design standards for a Class 3 trail for use by hikers, bikers, or equestrians. Field evaluation of trail segments would consider trail objectives, topographic features, water drainage, and existing vegetation to determine final route placement. The development of the trails would follow the standards and guidelines of the Mt. Hood Forest Plan, as amended by the Northwest Forest Plan, and other resource planning documents that guide trail development. Final trail segment locations would be reviewed by resource specialists to determine the potential effects of the new trails on sensitive resources.
PGE has prepared the Timothy Lake Trails Plan and identified opportunities for new trail segments with input from the CRRWG and trail users. PGE is soliciting feedback on the location of new trail opportunities from a wider user base and requests your input. A final decision on the location of specific trail segments will not be made until comments from user groups and the CRRWG is considered, and environmental review of the trail segments has been completed. We encourage you to comment on this request and identify issues that may be of concern to you.
Please submit comments to Tony Dentel, PGE Parks and Recreation Program Manager, at [email protected], before December 31, 2019. Copy [email protected] and we may share your comments in the future.
Have any questions about the proposal? Email [email protected]