press_release

April 30th, 2008
Dear Friends,
The U.S. Forest Service Cle Elum Ranger District will be conducting planning and analysis for some trail-related in 2008 and 2009. I’m
interested in any thoughts you may have on any of these. You may find maps and descriptions of these projects at www.cleelumtrails.
com, or if you prefer, we can mail you paper copies. I’m interested to know if you think the project is a good idea? Would it help or hinder
your use of the area? Do you have other ideas on how to improve the situation? Any comments you may have are helpful. You can
request paper copies and/or send your thoughts to Trails Manager Tim Foss here at Cle Elum Ranger Station, 803 W. Second St., Cle
Elum, Wa. 98922, phone 509-852-1069, or e-mail tfoss@fs.fed.us. It would be most helpful if we could hear from you by June 15,
2008. Thanks in advance for your time. Rodney D. Smoldon, Cle Elum District Ranger

Existing Situation: There are three trails in this
area: Hoyt Mine #1347, Frost Creek #1347.1, and
Gnat Flat #1236. On each trail, there are several
stretches which are too steep for the use they are
getting (up to 50% slope), and are experiencing
heavy rutting and erosion, up to 2 feet deep in some
cases. In addition, there are several un-bridged
stream crossings, including the North Fork Taneum
itself. These trails are open to hikers, horses,
mountain bikes, and motorcycles, and are part of the
very popular Taneum trail system. As such, these
trails receive heavy use, mostly from motorcycles.
Portions of these trails are difficult to negotiate,
impossible to maintain to standards, and
contributing sediment to the streams.
A second issue is that all three trails pass through
private land for which we have no easements. The
private landowners have been very gracious about
allowing the trails to cross their land, but indicated
they are not interested in granting easements, and
they reserve the right to revoke that access at any
time.
Proposed Remedy: Reroute approximately1.3
miles (total) of the trail to a lower grade in locations
shown. This includes rerouting entirely around the
private land. Four new trail bridges would be
constructed, and the old trail would be closed and
“put to bed” . Experience has shown that trail
grades under about 15% hold up much better under
this amount of use than do steeper grades.
Known Issues: Soil erosion, water quality, user
safety, trail maintainability, private land.
Timeframe: Analysis and decision scheduled for
completion by 12/09
To see area map and proposed changes, click
here.

Existing Situation: This trail is open to hikers,
horses, mountain bikes, and motorcycles. It is part
of the popular Table Mountain trail system and
receives moderate use, mostly from horsemen
motorcyclists. There are several stretches which
are too steep for the use they are getting (up to 40%
slope), and are experiencing heavy rutting and
erosion, up to 2 feet deep in some cases. In
addition, there are several un-bridged stream
crossings, including five streams all in one vicinity
near the junction of Naneum-Wilson Trail #1371 and
Owl Creek trail #1371.2. The steep portions of trail
are difficult to negotiate, impossible to maintain to
standards, and contributing sediment to the
streams.
Proposed Remedy: Reroute approximately 1.9
miles (total) of the trail to a lower grade in locations
shown. This includes about 0.8 miles of new
construction, 1.1 miles of road-to-trail conversion,
and four new trail bridges. The old trail would be
closed and “put to bed” . Experience has shown that
trail grades under about 15% hold up much better
under this amount of use than do steeper grades.
Known Issues: Soil erosion, water quality, user
safety, trail maintainability.
Timeframe: Analysis and decision scheduled for
completion by 12/08
To see area map and proposed changes, click
here.

Existing Situation: The North Ridge #1321 runs
from its trailhead on the Little Creek road #4517
approximately 8 miles south to its intersection with
Manastash Ridge trail #1388. Little Creek Basin
trail # 1324 spurs off it approximately half way up
On both trails, there are several stretches which are
too steep for the use they are getting (up to 50%
slope), and are experiencing heavy rutting and
erosion, up to 2 feet deep in some cases. These
trails are open to hikers, horses, mountain bikes,
and motorcycles. They are part of the popular
Taneum trail system, and as such receive heavy
use, largely from motorcycles. Portions of these
trails are difficult to negotiate and impossible to
maintain to standards.
Proposed Remedy: Reroute approximately0.7
miles (total) of the trail to a lower grade in locations
shown. The old trail would be closed and “put to
bed” . Experience has shown that trail grades under
about 15% hold up much better under this amount
of use than do steeper grades.
Known Issues: Soil erosion, user safety, trail
maintainability.
Timeframe: Analysis and decision scheduled for
completion by 12/10.
To see area map and proposed changes, click
here.

Existing Situation: There are four trails in this area:
Jolly Mountain #1307, Paris Creek Tie #1307.1, Jolly
Creek #1355, and West Fork Teanaway #1353.
West Fork Teanaway trail has some significantly
difficult areas down lower, and this trail will be the
subject of a strand-alone analysis in the future. On
the other three trails, there are several stretches
which are too steep for the use they are getting (up
to 50% slope), and are experiencing heavy rutting
and erosion, up to 2 feet deep in some cases. In
addition, there is at least one un-bridged stream
crossing which is contributing sediment to the
stream (all stream crossing will be evaluated during
field reconnaissance. These trails are open to
hikers, horses, mountain bikes, and motorcycles
(Paris Creek Tie trail is only open to hikers, horses,
and mountain bikes) and receive moderate to high
use. Portions of these trails are difficult to negotiate,
impossible to maintain to standards, and
contributing sediment to the streams.
Proposed Remedy: Reroute approximately0.8
miles (total) of the trail to a lower grade in locations
shown. One or more new trail bridges would be
constructed, and the old trail would be closed and
“put to bed” . Experience has shown that trail
grades under about 15% hold up much better under
this amount of use than do steeper grades.
Known Issues: Soil erosion, water quality, user
safety, trail maintainability.
Timeframe: Analysis and decision scheduled for
completion by 12/10.
To see area map and proposed changes, click
here.

Existing Situation: Three Peaks Outfitters, a
longtime local business, has a special-use permit
which authorizes them to provide a variety of
outfitter-guide services in the western and southern
portions of the Cle Elum Ranger District, including
the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The business
consists primarily of guided day and overnight
horseback rides, and drop camps. They are
required to abide by the same regulations as the
general public, including all wilderness regulations.
Their performance has been satisfactory during the
period of the existing permit.
Proposed Action: Reissue this permit exactly as it
is now for a period of 10 years, subject to
satisfactory performance, and compliance with the
terms of the permit
Timeframe: Analysis and decision scheduled for
completion by 12/08

This comment period is being provided pursuant to the
September 16, 2005, order issued by the U.S. District Court
for the Eastern District of California in Case No. CIV
F-03-6386JKS, and is intended to provide those interested or
affected by these proposals an opportunity to make their
concerns known. Those who provide timely and substantive
comments will be eligible to appeal the decision pursuant to
36CFR part 215 regulations.