 Reiter Foothills
 | | 4x4 enthusiasts tested out the new challenge course at Reiter Foothills in the snow. Photo: David Way, DNR |
Reiter 4x4 test rides
Snow didn't keep almost 24 off-road enthusiasts from test riding the new 4x4 challenge course last week at the January 12 test ride. The event also brought local media attention. The Everett Herald posted an online photo gallery from the event.
The next test ride is this Sunday, January 20.
Mark your calendars; here are the dates of the upcoming test rides:
- January 20
- February 9 & 17
- March 9 & 24
Test rides will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is limited parking and riders may be turned away until parking opens up. All riders will have an opportunity to complete a survey that will help the trail development team know how to make the trails even better! Opportunities for ATV riders will be available later this year. Access to trails may be impacted due to snow conditions. The single-track motorcycle trail is currently closed for test rides due to snow. Check this link before you go to the test rides to find out about any weather closures on the test days. |
Reiter Foothills non-motorized trail system planning
 | | Reiter Foothills offer spectacular sunsets in all seasons. Photo: Jessica Payne, DNR. |
DNR staff would like to thank all the volunteer 'trailblazers' who helped lay out hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails at Reiter Foothills last fall. Designing and developing a non-motorized trail is the next step in a planning effort for the Reiter Foothills area.
DNR will submit a draft of a non-motorized trail system for public environmental review under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) in the upcoming months. We also will schedule a pre-application meeting with Snohomish County to initiate the permit process for trail and bridge construction. If the SEPA and permitting processes hold true to our schedule, the first phase of trail construction will begin in June and bridge construction around August of 2013.
We will announce the SEPA comment period as soon as it opens.
|
 | | Vandalism costs thousands of recreation dollars each year. If you see suspicious activity, call 911. Photo: David Way, DNR. |
Vandalism in Reiter Foothills
Within the last month, someone destroyed a number of DNR's signs in the Reiter Foothills Motorized Area.
Every year, DNR spends thousands of dollars -- of your recreation funds -- replacing and repairing vandalized signs and facilities. Repairing vandalism reduces the amount of maintenance and construction funds that DNR is able to provide in some of your favorite recreation areas.
If you see unlawful activity on DNR lands, please call and report it to 911.
If you are interested in DNR's Volunteer Forest Watch program, please visit our webpage.
|
|
Next Reiter Foothills focus group meeting
Anyone may attend the monthly Reiter Foothills focus group meetings. These are a great way to hear, firsthand, about the progress at Reiter Foothills Forest and to provide your input on recreation in the area.
- Non-motorized trail system planning (SEPA analysis, permitting, timelines)
- Motorized trail system implementation for Spring 2013
- Motorized trail system test rides
Reiter Foothills Forest focus group meetings are from 7 to 9 p.m. every fourth Wednesday of the month in the East Public Meeting Room in the Snohomish County Building, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett.
For more information, contact David Way, 360-854-2830.
|
|
Walker Valley
 | | Walker Valley on a crisp winter day. Photo: Alexis Kodoskey, DNR. |
Don't let the cold weather keep you from volunteering at Walker Valley.
The next volunteer opportunity is February 9.
Join DNR staff and volunteers to help work on trails, clean ditches, haul gravel, brush trails, paint, pick up garbage, and more! No need to call first. Show up at 9 a.m. to get the day's assignment from a DNR staffer. Work as long as you want. Bring a hard hat, gloves, lunch, and water.
Work parties will take place rain or shine
Walker Valley work parties take place every second Saturday of the month.
For more information, contact Jim Cahill, 360-854-2874.
|
|
Blanchard Mountain
 | | First snow of the season on Blanchard Mountain. Photo: Alexis Kodoskey, DNR. |
Trail conditions: most of the trails are in great shape with the occasional muddy spot. Expect some snow in patches on the trails above 1300 feet in elevation and be careful of frozen water on parts of the trail which can be slippery.
Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crew members have been busy this winter cleaning up trails on Blanchard Mountain. Here is a quick update:
- Crews hiked approximately 10 miles of trail to clear water drains, clean-up culverts, and to remove windfall trees.
- Crews have been repairing trail tread on the Samish Bay Trail. Work started in December and will continue through the summer.
- On January 28, crews will begin work in Harry Osborne Forest. They will clear trails and remove windfall trees.
|
Natural areas update
 | | Natural Areas protect native habitat. Low-impact recreation may be allowed, but remember to stay on trails and follow all rules to keep these areas pristine. Photo: Jason Goldstein, DNR. |
Natural Resource Conservation Areas (NRCAs) protect outstanding examples of native ecosystems, and habitat for endangered, threatened and sensitive plants and animals. Low-impact recreation is allowed, as long as it doesn't jeopardize conservation efforts. When visiting natural areas, please stay on the trails and help us protect these special places for this, and future generations. For more information on DNR's effort to protect the states extraordinary diversity, please visit the Natural Areas page.
|
