Elk Creek Trail Improvements

If you've been out hiking the Elk Creek Trail in the past few weeks you've probably noticed that there has been quite a bit of work done to the trail.

Fear not, the Elk Creek Trail is not undergoing an identity change. It will remain designated open to hiking and mountain biking only.

The upgrade work that is in progress includes hardening water crossings and widening the length of the trail.  This project is being done to facilitate easier and more efficient access for the increasing number of Search and Rescue operations carried out on the Elk Mountain - Kings Mountain - Elk Creek Trail network by our partners from the Tillamook County Sheriff's Office, the Tillamook County Fire District, the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon State Police.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Forest Grove Recreation Unit at 503-357-2191.

Road Closure: Miami Forest Road

Be advised that the Miami River Road is CLOSED at the Miami Foley Road. This junction is at the west end of the Miami River Road where the bridge is out over Prouty Creek and the road is closed.

The Miami Forest Road can be accessed from Foley Creek Road and Firebreak 3. Signs are posted reminding forest road travelers that the Miami River Road is closed at the Miami Foley Road.

N. Fork Wolf Creek Target Shooting Lanes OPEN

The target shooting lanes on North Fork of Wolf Creek Road have re-opened after an upgrade project funded through an NRA Foundation Grant obtained by Trash No Land.

THANK YOU SOLVE VOLUNTEERS

One hundred and ten pounds of debris was removed from the Wilson River on Saturday, September 29, as part of the SOLVE Beach & Riverside Cleanup.

Forty volunteers joined ODF staff to clean debris from the Wilson River at Smith Homestead and Jones Creek Day Use Area.

Thank you for your hard work and the contribution you made to the Tillamook State Forest.

Beaver Dam Rock Pit Volunteer Day

On Saturday, August 25th our partners at Trash No Land hosted a clean-up of the Beaver Dam Rock Pit.  33 volunteers spent the morning scouring the pit and pulled out over 20 yards of garbage and debris related to target shooting activity.

THANKS TRASH NO LAND!

Dedicated Volunteer Community (left)
Trash No Land had 33 volunteers respond to their call for help from the target shooting community in cleaning up the Beaver Dam Rock Pit.

Filled to Overflowing (right) 
It only took a few hours for volunteers to fill the 20 yard dumpster  provided by the Oregon Department of Forestry for the clean-up efforts.










After (left)  The Beaver Dam Rock Pit hasn't been this clean in a long time.  The folks from Trash No Land hope this prompts target shooting enthusiasts to help keep the site clean by taking home targets, garbage and brass or shells.

Who are your forest neighbors?

Whether camping, hiking, fishing or dirt-biking, when you are out and about in the Tillamook State Forest, you are part of an ecosystem that is home to a wide variety of critters be they sporting fins, feathers or fur.

When you are in the woods, you can help keep the wildlife healthy by doing a few simple things:

• Don't feed the wildlife on purpose or on accident.  
• Lock your food and garbage in secure containers or in your car.
• Keep your campfire area and campsite clean.
• Don't leave pet food easily accessible out of doors.
• Place bird feeders so that only birds can get into them.
• Keep your pets safe by keeping them on a leash.
• Remember, animals are attracted to smells so don't leave things like scented candles, lotions or soaps in places you don't want animals to get into.
• Use a flashlight when you are out at night.

Our friends at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) have put together some great information on how to enjoy your encounters with wildlife while avoiding conflicts.  Before you head out on your next forest adventure, check out their fantastic brochures and tip sheets on Living with Wildlife.

Bats

Black Bears

Cougars

Coyotes

Owls

Raccoons

Cedar Creek Road Closure

Cedar Creek Road will be closed on Tuesday, July 24 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for culvert installation. The road will be closed at Designated Campsite #1 (approx. 1/4 mile on Cedar Creek Road).

Jordan Creek Closures

Due to active logging operations, the following closures are in place in the Jordan Creek Area. The closures are in effect 7 days per week. All areas are signed.

JORDAN CREEK ROAD - CLOSED AT MILEPOST 4

SPAUR CREEK OHV TRAIL - CLOSED

DESIGNATED CAMPSITES 9, 10 & 12 - CLOSED

Jordan Creek Road and Campsite Closure

Due to active logging, Jordan Creek Road from milepost 4 to milepost 5 and Jordan Creek Designated Campsites 9 and 10 are closed. The closures are in effect until logging is completed. Campers looking to access designated campsites 11 through 14 will need to use an alternate route.

TSF Trip Planner: Changes in the Routine

New Public Use Rules and A Fee Increase

When you pack your bags and head out to any of Oregon's State Forests for your next adventure, you'll find a few changes to the information regarding fees and forest rules posted at your favorite forest destination.

Stay Limits

The stay limits on Oregon State Forests have changed.  Visitors can now enjoy camping within the following time allotments:

• 14 days in a 35 day period
• A maximum of 42 days in a consecutive 12 month period

This stay limit applies across the forest to the dispersed sites, designated campsites and developed campgrounds.

Fee Increase

Campsite fees have increased to include two vehicles in the base fee:

• Drive-In Campsite:  $20 per night for up to 2 vehicles
• Walk-In Tent Site:   $15 per night for up to 2 vehicles

Group campsite, designated camping area and extra vehicle fees remain the same:

• Group Campsite:   $50 per night
• Extra Vehicle Fee:  $5 per vehicle per night
• Designated Camping Area Fee:    $5 per vehicle per night

Fees are Being Charged at More Sites

Camping fees will start being charged on May 25, 2018 at the following designated camping areas:

• Morrison Eddy  $15 per night for up to 2 vehicles
• Cedar Creek:   $5 per vehicle per night
• North Fork:     $5 per vehicle per night

Occupancy Limits

Occupancy Limits for most developed campgrounds will be a maximum of 8 people, 2 tents and 2 vehicles per campsite unless otherwise posted.  Check the information boards and picnic tables in your favorite campground to see what number of people, tents and vehicles is approved for your favorite campsite.

You can check out the rest of the Oregon Department of Forestry Recreation Rules on the Secretary of State's website.

It's Official - Tillamook State Forest Volunteers are AWESOME!

SOLVE IT Success on April 21, 2018!

The weather was beautiful, the volunteers were pumped and the Tillamook State Forest's 2018 SOLVE Earth Day Clean-up was a resounding success.  We may be a little biased, but I think it’s obvious, Tillamook State Forest Volunteers ROCK!

At the end of the day 4 ODF staff members working with a group of 60 volunteers from 7 different clubs and organizations removed over 6,000 pounds of garbage (about 30 cubic yards) and 201 tires from the Tillamook State Forest in just under 4 hours!

Clubs and Organizations Represented were:

Volunteers prepare to unload the farm gate
and 60 tires from this forestry trailer.

·        Oregon Equestrian Trails

·        Gitout.com (4x4 club)

·        Trucks in Tight Spots Off-Road (4x4 club)

·        Cascade Cruisers (4x4 club)

·        Friends of Wayne Naillon

·        Ride Revivial

·        Jolly Jeepers (4x4 club)

·        Tillamook State Forest Trail Patrol

·        Boy Scout Troop 557

Site partners included:

• SOLVE
• Oregon Department of Transportation who provided the staging area for the dumpsters and volunteer registration

Special thanks to:

• SWATCO Sanitary, Inc of Banks who donated the dumpsters and the hauling services.  This business has been supporting our SOLVE project since 1996.

Some of what was pulled out of the brush included:

Halfway full with some sofas and a sink.

• Tires, tires and more tires
• Several small appliances
• 4 sofas
• Two nearly identical silver automobile hoods (vented with bullet holes)
• A utility sink
• Queen mattress set
• A galvanized farm gate
• Bags of old clothes

THANK YOU OHV VOLUNTEERS

The first annual Single Track Day held on March 17 was a huge success!

Forty volunteers cleared trails, removed storm debris, did trail maintenance and cutback Salmonberry on over 10 miles of OHV trails.

Many thanks to all who participated and contributed 280 volunteer hours in support of OHV trails on the Tillamook State Forest.

Single Track Trail Day

It's easy to support State Forest Recreation Programs

Archers Firebreak OHV Trail Closure

Logging operations are planned to begin on the Red Buzzard Timber Sale Area 3 on Monday, January 8, 2018. A section of the Archers Firebreak OHV Trail is closed. Additional sections will be closed throughout the winter as the timber sale progresses.

Please watch for and adhere to all trail closure signs.

The haul route for this timber sale is Archers Road to Jordan Creek Road. As many as 20 loaded log trucks may be on the road a day.