Just got this note. The map below shows trail closings at Reiter. the two larger areas at the ends will close this Friday, the smaller one in the center mid July. FYI http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_rec_reiter_interim_strategies_map06-09.pdf
MUTHERFUCKERS..... seems it's all to do with the fish..... If this was put to a vote.. I guess we didn't hear about it: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 17, 2009 DNR to close some ORV trails in Reiter Foothills Closures will Be near stream crossings OLYMPIA – This weekend, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin closing some of the off-road vehicle (ORV) trails in Reiter Foothills. The measures are necessary to reduce the loss of fish habitat and to protect downstream health. ORV riding will still be allowed in many areas, specifically in places that are being considered as potential riding areas under a recreation plan for Reiter due out this summer. Over the years, ORV riders have created their own trails in the Reiter area without getting permission from DNR and other landowners. Some of these trails pass around and through streams, causing silt to accumulate in stream beds. As a result, many of the streams in the area have experienced significant environmental damage. “We know these trail closures will be a concern to the ORV community,” said Bill Wallace, Manager of DNR’s Northwest Region. “There aren’t many places for people to ride in this state as it is. However, DNR has an obligation to keep the forests it manages healthy.” DNR staff are committed to working with the local user groups to transition the Reiter area from an unsanctioned recreational facility to a sanctioned facility that meets environmental standards and provides users with a safe, enjoyable and sustainable recreational experience. Closure schedule * Effective June 19, all trails north of May Creek and south of the Deer Creek crossings will be closed. * Effective July 15, all trails in a small area north and west of Hogarty Creek will be closed. For a map of the area and the trails to be closed, go to: www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/amp_rec_reiter_interim_strategies_map06-09.pdf Long-term plan for Reiter due out this summer The ORV trail closures are part of an ongoing education and awareness campaign. For the last year, DNR and a special citizens’ advisory committee have been working on the plan. The committee consists of representatives from diverse user groups and local community members. These individuals worked collaboratively to come up with recommendations based on the best available science. Later this summer, DNR will have a recreation plan that will guide the management of recreation in Reiter Foothills. The public will be able to comment on a draft of the report when it goes through the SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) review process. For more information about Reiter Foothills, contact DNR Northwest Region Office staff: Candace Johnson at 360-854-2803 or reiterfoothills@dnr.wa.gov . Recreation on DNR-managed lands DNR manages more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, aquatic, agricultural, conservation and urban lands. Most recreation on these lands takes place in the 2.2 million acres of forests that DNR manages as state trust lands. By law, state trust lands are managed to produce income for schools, universities, prisons, state mental hospitals, community colleges, local services in many counties, and the state’s general fund. State trust lands are also managed to provide fish and wildlife habitat and educational and recreational opportunities. DNR-managed lands provide 1,100 miles of trails, 143 recreation sites, and a variety of landscapes throughout Washington State. Recreational opportunities include hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping, motorized vehicle riding, mountain biking, and boating. DNR’s main recreation focus is to provide trails, trailhead facilities, and a primitive experience in a natural setting. Media Contact: Toni Droscher, Communications and Outreach Specialist, 360-485-3406 (mobile), and toni.droscher@dnr.wa.gov
The impact for us is the area by the Index Wall, The Cable trail that comes out at the top of Sac Up, and Lake Isabel trail cut off at the two water crossings. The water crossings that have hard rock bottoms are supossed to be legal crossings. The is a group called "Reiter Trail Watch" that has been around for quite some time trying to work with DNR on keeping the place open and safe. They have monthly meetings where DNR also attends and provides good insight to what is happening. I made the May meeting and got some pretty good info and plan on making the July one in a couple weeks. http://www.reitertrailwatch.com/forum/
If their excuse is that they need to close water crossings, we should organise a weekend building some little motorbike size bridges ... :devil:
YES!!!! Indeed that is what we need. DNR has no money to do anything right now and could use as much help as they can get. It all has to be done through the proper channels however. I want to try and widen the trail that rides along the guardrail across from the lower lot I used to be able to get my RZR through but now a bike is about all you can fit safely.
I used to ride there back as a kid and just got a bike and want to ride their again? my family has propert at the nature trails.. is the whole mountain closed or just the pit and parking area?
Yes, it is closed. Thaey are building a small amount of trails for bikes, quads, and 4x4s, each separate. I think you can get more info at the DNR website?
So its not gonna be open till the are done rebuilding ? I live In bothell where us the closest place for me to ride? Thanks !
Yes, Reiter is closed until further notice. It's been that way for about two years now. If you get caught up there (and they DO patrol it) you'll get a fat ticket. They recently finished a comment period for people/organizations to voice about their concerns for the final plan before the real work goes under way. Unfortunately there are a lot of groups that are against Reiter simply because they are against off road motorized recreation. http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ResearchScience/Topics/SEPAOthers/Pages/amp_sepa_other_reitertrail_feb.aspx http://www.reitertrailwatch.com/forum/ Reiter is slipping away, but still has a chance at becoming a great ORV park. I was extremely disappointed to see it go, the terrain there is simply awesome, but I look forward to seeing what it CAN become. From what I've gathered over following this for the last what...two years...is the big issues are the harm done to the streams from motorized vehicles (transporting dirt to different areas, leaking into the water, etc.), potential harm to various wild life in the area (total bull if you ask me - based on the studies I've read), and erosion. Erosion seems to be a big issue right now, as they've been talking about making cement obstacles and such to keep from rigs digging out the dirt (which if you ever wheeled/rode there, you know all about that) but it's expensive to do.
This is what happens when you thrash your playgrounds. Mommie and Daddy take them away. Kinda sucks that the closest place is still far for a lot of people (Walker) if you live around Seattle, but it just gives you a good excuse to get out to some real trails. And now that Uncle Sam is going broke, we can expect a lot more closures and budget cutbacks will probably axe a lot of ORV parks.:angry7:
If anybody ever wants to venture out this way, i'll take ya riding............there are 5 solid riding areas out here to play in..............Sadie Creek, the Foothills, Dry Creek, Sequim-Disco, and Cassidy Creek. None are huge, but all are fun.
The kicker is the government took our funding, there was millions in taxes specifically for ORV that was taken away. Uncle Sam had a chance to do the right things, but they didn't...nor are they trying to if you ask me. All I can say there - if you don't already know this story - is do your research on who is in charge of the government economy regulations and who caused the economy to fail in the first place, and what their paychecks were. We are being cheated everywhere you look. Another thing is Walker, to me, just doesn't possess the qualities Reiter had. There were a lot more extreme obstacles such as rock gardens, streams, sand hills, and such that you can't find in many of the ORV parks in Washington. We just need to hope Reiter reopens as an equally awesome place as it was. To do that everyone should maintain up to date on Reiter when possible and help in any way that they can (volunteering, donating, writing to legislation, etc.).
