Wednesday, January 13, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Common sense and courtesy on the winter trails
By Craig F. eisenbeis
Correspondent
Last year’s poor snow year
was a disappointment for
many local skiers, snowsho-
ers, and snowmobilers. So,
with plenty of early snow this
year, winter sports enthusiasts
are flocking into snow coun-
try in big numbers. With that
in mind, a few simple guide-
lines can make the experience
more enjoyable for everyone.
Over time, hikers, eques-
trians, and cyclists learn to
accommodate each other
and share the trails during
the summer trail-use sea-
son. When snow covers the
ground, some of the same
factors come into play. At
this time of the year, win-
ter competition for the trails
is usually among nordic
skiers, snowshoers, and
snowmobilers.
Not surprisingly, the rules
for winter trail use are essen-
tially the same as in sum-
mer and can be summed up
quite simply: common sense
and courtesy. Following a
few simple rules can help
make outdoor winter recre-
ation safer and more fun for
everyone.
According to Forest
Service officials, winter trail
use has been steadily on
the rise for the last decade,
and the trend is expected to
continue. Snowshoeing and
back-country skiing are see-
ing much of the increase in
trail usage, but groomed-
trail skiing is also growing in
popularity.
There are a few desig-
nated snowshoe trails in
the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger
District, but not many, and
there is none in the Sisters
Ranger District. Designated
snowshoe trails are often nar-
row and winding and do not
appeal much to Nordic skiers;
and, frankly, much of the win-
ter trail maintenance is driven
by, and conducted by, Nordic
skiers. To provide for increas-
ing user demand and reduce
conflicts between skiers
and snowshoers, Deschutes
National Forest trail manag-
ers have been looking at ways
to add designated snowshoe
trails out of local snow parks.
Nordic trails on U.S.
Forest Service land are often
marked with blue diamonds
on tree trunks. Snowshoers
are welcome to use the des-
ignated Nordic trails; but, if
snowshoers plan to use a blue
diamond trail, they should
set a separate track at least
two feet away from the ski
tracks. In a like manner, ski-
ers should refrain from skiing
in a broken snowshoe track.
Skiers sometimes spend
considerable time and effort
setting down new ski tracks;
and it is extremely frustrating,
when returning to enjoy their
hard work, to find that the ski
tracks that were laboriously
laid down have been oblit-
erated by snowshoers. It is
important for all trail users to
remember common courtesy
so that everyone can enjoy
the winter trails experience.
A handout available at
the Sisters Ranger District
office spells out some of the
basic winter trail etiquette:
“Snowshoers and hikers,
please do not walk on ski
tracks. Snowshoe and foot
tracks make it difficult for
skiers and has led to skier
injuries.” The Forest Service
also discourages hiking on
ski trails. Not only does it
create the possibility of skier
injuries, but winter trail users
without skis or snowshoes
risk injury to themselves.
The Forest Service recom-
mends that “when using an
untracked trail, please stay on
one side of the trail corridor
when setting new tracks. This
will allow room for tracks to
be set by another type of user
within the existing cleared
trail corridor. In other words,
share the snow and not the
tracks.”
Snowmobilers are other
principal users of winter
trails. In many areas, snow-
mobile users set and main-
tain their own trails. In other
areas, Nordic and snowmo-
bile trails may run alongside
each other; and, when that
occurs, the same winter rules
of common sense and cour-
tesy apply.
For example, snowmo-
bile and Nordic trails out of
the Upper Three Creek Sno-
Park south of Sisters often
run parallel through the same
forest corridor. This situa-
tion is known as a shared-
use corridor. In those cases,
snowmobile riders should try
to avoid causing damage to
ski tracks. Further, there is a
safety concern if a snowmo-
bile were to be following a
ski track around a corner and
suddenly encounter a skier.
As a general practice, skiers
are strongly advised to ski to
the side of snowmobile trails,
especially when snowmobil-
ers are approaching.
Common sense and cour-
tesy. That’s what it’s all
about.
Snowmobile users are also
reminded to steer clear of
Congressionally designated
wilderness areas where no
mechanization is permitted.
This prohibition is taken so
seriously that summer trail
crews clearing downed trees
in the wilderness have tradi-
tionally used hand crosscut
saws instead of chainsaws.
Other winter motorized
closures on the Deschutes
National Forest include the
Bend municipal watershed,
photo by craig EiSEnbEiS
Courtesy and common sense become critical in Sisters’ backcountry.
certain areas on Dutchman
Flat, blue diamond ski trails,
developed ski areas, and the
area between Swampy and
Meissner sno-parks. Violators
of motorized-use prohibitions
are subject to substantial pen-
alties, including fines of up
to $5,000 and six months in
jail.
All trail and backcountry
users should always prepare
for their adventures by car-
rying appropriate emergency
gear. The “Ten Essentials”
are a basic starting point.
Essentials should include a
map, compass, sunglasses,
matches, fire starter, first aid
kit, lamp with extra batter-
ies, extra food, water, extra
clothes, repair materials
like duct tape or wire, knife,
whistle, emergency blanket,
tin cup for melting snow, and
other items as appropriate.
Cell phones are a good
idea and are easy and con-
venient to carry; but they
should NOT be considered
an alternative to appropriate
emergency equipment. Cell
phone service in backcountry
areas is often limited; and,
in cold conditions, batteries
often run down much faster.
Backcountry users are
reminded that search and res-
cue missions are often ham-
pered by bad weather, deep
snow, cold temperatures and
poor access. A lost person
may have to rely on what
they are carrying for several
hours, overnight, or even for
a day or two.
Before venturing out onto
winter trails, learn about the
area and trails to be visited.
Information is available at
National Forest, Park Service,
and BLM offices. Other
resources include outdoor
shops, and agency websites.
Be a safe and responsible
trail user, and always inform
a responsible friend or family
member of the location, dura-
tion, and return time of your
outing.
Friendships are one
of the few things that
improve with age…
Friends,
come help me
celebrate my
60th
B
Birthday
and share
some cake
& laughs!
Wed., Jan. 13
1 to 3 p.m.
COWGIRLS & INDIANS RESALE
160 Oak Street (Next to The Pony Express) 541-549-6950
www.cowgirlresale.com
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