OHV's & Wilderness On Mt. Hood - An Opinion

[Grumpy]

Off-road vehicles, wilderness don't mix on Mount Hood
By Guest Columnist
October 25, 2009, 6:37AM

View full sizeKate McCarthy

By KATE McCARTHY

For most of my 92 years, I've hiked the trails of Mount Hood National Forest. Through the decades, I've witnessed many changes on the mountain -- some driven by nature, others initiated by humans. From my vantage point, here on my family's property between Hood River and the mountain, the growing pressure that off-road vehicles are putting on Mount Hood reinforces the need for strong protection.

The natural beauty of Mount Hood is part of my personal history, and a desire to preserve it for future generations is why I proudly supported the wilderness legislation enacted last year. Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Earl Blumenauer worked hard to make that happen, but now the mountain is facing another challenge that could compromise that hard work.

A draft management plan recently released by the Forest Service could allow off-road vehicles right next to these wilderness areas. Although I understand that people who ride these vehicles have a right to enjoy the forest just like everyone else, I think they belong in some places but not in others -- especially not near wilderness and game habitat.

The Forest Service should be commended for recognizing that impacts from unmanaged off-highway vehicles represents one of the key threats facing the nation's forests.

The agency has taken positive steps to alert off-road vehicle users to where they are off-limits and has tried to balance motorized use in the forest with those who prefer quiet hikes and trail rides.

My hope is that the Forest Service will keep that in mind as it determines which plan to move forward, and that it will choose to keep strong protections around wilderness areas, wildlife habitat and popular hiking and horse trails.

For example, 40 miles of new off-road vehicle routes have been proposed at Bear Creek -- a beautiful area on the north side overlooking Mount Hood. These routes would be adjacent to the Mount Hood Wilderness Area, a quiet sanctuary where families such as mine have been hiking since the 1930s.

Bear Creek is important summer habitat for deer and elk, and sound carries far and wide in these parts. The noise of motorized vehicles will disturb wildlife and the peaceful outdoor experience that people from all over the country come to enjoy.

Gibson Prairie, east of the Hood River Valley, also is being considered for off-road vehicle routes. One of the few remaining horse camp sites in the area, Gibson Prairie is heavily used by trail riders, and there is an obvious tension between horses and off-road vehicles. Why set up a conflict?

The list goes on -- one proposed route bisects the Salmon Huckleberry and Roaring River Wilderness, and another is adjacent to the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. These places have long been quiet retreats from the hustle-bustle of city life. The intent behind designated wilderness is to keep these unspoiled, natural places in their pristine state.

Allowing off-road vehicles to encroach on these areas doesn't serve that intent, nor are motorized vehicles compatible with the outdoor experience most people seek when they come to Mount Hood National Forest.

Mount Hood National Forest is just 20 miles east of Portland, and more than 4 million people visit it every year. It is one of the most heavily used national forests in the country, and in terms of people enjoying nature, that's a very good thing. The downside is the wear and tear on the mountain -- something that off-road vehicles contribute to more severely than any other form of recreation.

The Forest Service should carefully consider the appropriate sites for off-road vehicles and protect the special places -- including wilderness -- in the Mount Hood National Forest.

By choosing to advance Alternative No. 4, the Forest Service can make sure these places will continue to provide clean water and offer opportunities for traditional, quiet recreation while safeguarding wildlife habitat from damage.

The people who ride off-road vehicles should have access to the forest, but it should be separate from the places the majority of visitors use to escape noise and pollution.

Otherwise, the peaceful forests of Mount Hood that I grew up with could slowly disappear.

Kate McCarthy lives in Mount Hood.


Comments (9 total) RSSPost a commentOldest comments are shown first. Show newest comments first
Posted by windyhill
October 25, 2009, 6:59AM
We have a ranch here in unity in the monument rock wilderness area there are only about 5 ranches and use atvs as a working tool. The forest service has moved out and is closing many roads. We also take trips out on the roads just to get out and explore but it is different when you live here and respect the land

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Posted by gnuut
October 25, 2009, 8:06AM
"The people who ride off-road vehicles should have access to the forest..."

I don't see that assumption as a given. Tell them to get off their butts and use the forest as a cathedral, not an amusement park with thrill-rides.

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Posted by will1955
October 25, 2009, 8:17AM
I would argue that the use of ATVs for recreational purposes has nothing to do with an appreciation of nature and enjoyment of its serenity and grandeur. Instead it is about excitement and adrenaline. There certainly are appropriate sites for this, but not in Mt Hood.

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Posted by rwl1776
October 25, 2009, 12:29PM
"The agency has taken positive steps to alert off-road vehicle users to where they are off-limits and has tried to balance motorized use in the forest with those who prefer quiet hikes and trail rides."

Don't expect to get any support from the mountainbike community, not after Mr. Blumenauer and his latest Wilderness Designation in Mt Hood CLOSED 110 miles of trails to bicycles, trails that mountainbikers rode and maintained for over 2 decades. We lost access to 57% of the trails we had legal access too, thanks to our elected officials.

You know who we are NOT voting for, the supposed 'Bicycle Friendly' Congressman Earl Blumenauer.

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Posted by g1k1f1
October 25, 2009, 7:43PM
ATV's get about 80 miles per gallon.

/hmmmm

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Posted by stumpspeech
October 25, 2009, 9:44PM
And horses and hikers get nearly unlimited miles per gallon of gasoline. So what?

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Posted by felidajoe
October 25, 2009, 11:12PM
Forests are only "cathedrals" to loopy liberals that worship trees. Trees themselves are nothing more than giant weeds.

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Posted by cubilist
October 26, 2009, 11:12AM
"A grove of giant redwoods or sequoias should be kept
just as we keep a great or beautiful cathedral." - Theodore Roosevelt

Oh those "loopy Liberals."

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Posted by GeezerGeorge
October 26, 2009, 7:15AM
Thanks to Kate McCarthy for this essay on the impacts of ORVs. Considering that fewer than 1 percent of visitors to the Mt. Hood National Forest use them at all, it's reasonable to limit ORVs to three small areas, as in Alternative 4. When I first fished and hiked in the national forest in the 1950s and 60s, I never saw or heard a single ORV. They should never have been allowed to take over so much of the land.

[White trash]

Oh the conversation I could have with the author....

[Doc Casey]

Oh the conversation I could have with the author....

Like maybe how the noisy off road vehicle is the only way that a wounded Vet, who still wants to enjoy the outdoors, can even get out there for a weekend any more? lol

[Grumpy]

Most of the ecofreaks don't seem to get that. a lot of them are also the ones protesting the vets when they come back. I have little to no understanding of how these mushheads get some of their ideas...

[Danny]

You know, they can have their pristine wilderness areas. I don't have an objection to that. BUT, they should also provide us with the same amount of uninhibited area to play too, only hundred's of miles appart. It could be done but no one seems to be thinking along those lines. We should be able to pursue our interests as well!!!

[Grumpy]

I couldn't agree more, Danny! Trouble is, in visiting these folks sites on the intardnet, that's not an idea they care to look at.. They have an all out ban attitude, and don't seem willing to talk compromise. One exception of late wa the Yacolt Burn. It's been opened, and the WTA was part of the group that worked on it with the Pistons Wild gang. A rare instance. I think we, as club, made some good points last February, but I'm not sure just how to build on that. I hope having Paula along Saturday will help. I know I get a mite wound up at times, for which I apologize, but I just don't see the unity among the 4x4 crowd I do the other side, and it gets annoying. Th PNW can't even agree how we should proceed. Too much rancor between traditionalists, and the "new" type wheeler with big tires and tube thingys. That all spawned another NW group to confuse and dilute things!

[Doc Casey]

Well said! Can you imagine the political push we would have if the climbers, mountainbikers, hunters, dirtbike/ATV riders, four wheelers, and all who stand to loose to the ban everything extremists would simply work together for the good of all. I do or have enjoyed all of these things and the self imposed segregation between the groups has always driven me nuts

[sams88]

I agree with you Grumpy on the lack of unity in the 4x4 crowd. It would help if they all could just agree with going for "motorized vehicles" in general and not getting into the specifics. That's killing us.

I've posted a lot before on the PNW site about policies, and such. The PNW can't even get along among themselves, and yet they purport to represent all wheelers..... like lets get real here folks. I don't even bother to waste my time visiting or posting there anymore. They can't even get their treatment of various types of members worked out, ie clubs vs non-clubbies. Then there's the issues of clubs having to conform to what they want the clubs to be, etc. Bottom line is that while all the internal bickering is going on, the greenies are cleaning everyones clock. Losing the war folks.