Good on Hood

Oregon’s most iconic mountain and widely used Wilderness got some great news this last month!

You may recall hearing from us earlier this year that the Forest Service was proposing to log over the Vista Ridge trailhead. Not only did this plan endanger an area that is proposed Wilderness, but Vista Ridge is arguably the most scenic alpine trail on Mount Hood – especially when the wildflowers bloom in mid-August.

Oregon Wild members went to work voicing their concerns to the Forest Service and attracted the attention of Oregon State Rep. Ann Lininger. Lininger rallied the support of her fellow legislators to the cause and helped convince the Forest Service to revisit the timber proposal by seeking a compromise. On November 17th it was officially announced that Vista Ridge would not be logged, removing the most controversial part of this logging plan.

In a second piece of good news, mountain bikers and Wilderness advocates announced a historic agreement to expand Wilderness protections around Mount Hood. This includes 20,000 acres of “unfinished business” that were included in an original draft of the Mount Hood Wilderness Bill, which passed in 2009, but were stripped out due to objections from then-Senator Gordon Smith.

The support of mountain biking groups is a significant milestone for this proposal, and an important precedent for other Wilderness proposals. During past efforts to protect Mount Hood, Wilderness advocates and mountain bike clubs found themselves in opposition. The Wilderness Act does not permit the use of “mechanical transport” and prohibits the use of mountain bikes in Wilderness areas. This restriction has historically led many mountain biking groups to oppose Wilderness proposals in Oregon and across the country when those proposals would close important trails to bikes.

However, on Mount Hood, Wilderness advocates and mountain bikers forged new territory, working together towards common sense solutions that protect both the Wilderness quality lands and recreational access for those who mountain bike.

The proposal includes 20,000 acres in places like Tamanawas Falls, Hunchback Mountain, Salmon River, McCall Point, Vista Ridge, and Boulder Lake. Extending Wilderness protections to these areas would protect the drinking water supply for the city of Sandy, key old-growth wildlife habitat, and some of the best hiking in Oregon. The boundaries have been carefully designed to maintain access to prized adventure riding in the region.

Additional support for this proposal includes Mount Hood Meadows, Timberline, the Mazamas, the community of Mosier and more. Read more about this proposal.

All in all, two great pieces of news for Mount Hood and the people working to protect it!

Photo Credits
Vista Ridge photo by Tom Kloster, Tamanawas Falls by Peggy J. Day