Three Sisters Wilderness, MT Jefferson, MT Washington Wildernesses

Three Sisters Wilderness, MT Jefferson, MT Washington Wildernesses

Background: Three Sisters Wilderness, MT Jefferson, MT Washington Wildernesses, Willamette National Forest

The United States Congress designated the Mount Jefferson Wilderness in 1968 and it now has a total of 107,008 acres. There are approximately 190 miles of very heavily used trails, including about 40 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. The area receives 17,690 day use visitors and 11,310 overnight visit.

The United States Congress designated the Mount Washington Wilderness in 1964 and it now has a total of 52,738 acres. Only State Highway 242 separates Mount Washington Wilderness from Three Sisters Wilderness to the south. The primary trail through this area is 16.6 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. The area receives 5,265 day use visitors and 235 overnight visits.

The Three Sisters Wilderness (TSW), a 283,402 acre designated wilderness, is located on both sides of the Cascade Mountain range. 192,328 acres of the TSW are located on the Willamette National Forest. There are 260 miles of trails, including 40 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. The west slope of the TSW receives 14,700 day use visitors and 6,500 overnight visits.

Impact type: visitor use limits

Strategy: limited entry access, group size limits, permits, designated campsites, fire bans, and camping setbacks in some locations. Wilderness education

What we did. Describe your over all program (how overall problems are being dealt with). Describe specific tactic.

Data has been collected on visitor use in the Three Sisters Wilderness (TSW) since the 1980s. In the early 1990s all ranger districts that have management responsibilities in the TSW from the Willamette and Deschutes National Forest worked cooperatively to develop strategies and tactics to address visitor use impacts. All campsites within both sides of the TSW were inventoried as part of the LAC process. 4,000 campsites were identified in the Three Sisters Wilderness, MT Jefferson, MT Washington Wildernesses. Wilderness ranger logs provided anecdotal information along with photo’s of impacts to determine approximately 200 to 300 people per day on some popular trails.

A new Wilderness management plan was cooperatively developed within the forest planning process. A focus group comprised of Wilderness managers, hikers, recreation stock users, and other recreation users met for a year to develop standards to address campsite impacts and trail encounters. Standards were derived from analysis of campsite inventory data, encounter logs from wilderness rangers, and campsite occupancy rates. The focus group came up with recommendations for management strategies and tactics. Information and education was identified as a top priority and was chosen as a less intrusive and restrictive approach. The focus group also recognized that too many people were using some areas and there was a need for restrictions. An environmental analysis was also completed.

In 1995, the Willamette National Forest devised a system to limit visitor use. A regulatory permit system was developed for both day use and over night camping. Other management strategies include designated campsites, fire bans, and camping setbacks in some locations. Group size and total numbers of visitors for each area were determined. Managers monitored group sizes and total visitors per area for the first two years and then made appropriate adjustments.

For example:

In the Obsidian Lake area, with limited entry access permits:

Currently: 30 people per night for overnight camping

40 people per day for day use

1993:1,326 permits issued

3,532 people

2.6 people per permit

2004: 849 permits issued

2,790 people

3.3 people per permit

Limited entry access permits (LEA) reduced the number of people visiting the area. Overnight camping has dropped from approximately 3,500 to 2,800 people. Managers are moving towards achieving Wilderness plan standards. Day use visitors are also required to have a permit in the area. No citations were issued the first year but by the second year some people were turned away when standards for number of day uses were met. It took 5-6 years for visitors to accept the limited entry permit system. The level of compliance is 89-90%.

Self-issued permits are still required in areas outside of the limited entry areas. Visitors can travel through limited entry areas to access non-regulatory areas.

Why we did it?

LEA permits are required in the Obsidian Lakes area because social encounters were too high on some trails and the amount of barren core in some campsites exceeded acceptable standards.

How well did it work?

Campsites are looking better although the total number of campsites has not decreased. Social encounters have been reduced on popular trails.

How did you evaluate it?

Campsites are re-inventoried on a 5-year basis. Monitoring campsite impacts will provide information to determine if management actions are required to mitigate impacts. Managers have 12 to 14 years of existing data on many campsites. It will be 5 to 10 years before managers see changes in vegetation at campsites

What is the level of public acceptance?

It took 4 to 5 seasons to gain public acceptance. There is less animosity from public now that they have become used to the process. Visitors are informed of the reasons for limited use when biophysical and social standards are exceeded. By using consistent education messages early in the process, with a gradual introduction to the process, the public has accepted the permit process. Visitors experience fewer people encountered on trails and at campsites.

A volunteer trailhead host works in the LEA. The host issues limited entry permits, provides advice, answers questions, and helps visitors identify alternative locations to camp if limited entry areas have reached capacity.

What did NOT work?

Managers have to live with decisions they made on areas where limited entry was implemented. There is some confusion for visitors who have selected a destination outside of the limited entry but have to enter a trailhead where limited entry permits are required. Visitors to the LEA need to get their permits in advance but if you are entering the wilderness at the LEA trailhead and traveling to a destination beyond the LEA visitors can self issue a permit at the LEA trailhead. This is the point that confuses some folks.

Any unexpected effects?

The limited entry permit system has caused some displacement. Other trailheads are within 1/2 mile of the Obsidian Lake trailhead. Displacement to these other areas is close to exceeding Wilderness plan standards.

Tips

Set lower standards early in the planning process so you don’t end up with piece meal strategies when standards are exceeded. In low use areas it is important to set lower standards for limits on visitor numbers in case displacement occurs from limited entry areas.

Contacts—for further information and resources

Steve Otoupalik, Wilderness Manager

Region 6, Willamette National Forest, McKenzie River Ranger District

541-822-7231

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