Oregon Equestrian Trails - OET, Mt. Hood Chapter

OET strikes again! Thank you South Coast.

Visitors at the Sandy River Delta on Saturday were treated to meeting a beautiful horse named Brook.

A big thank you to volunteers for doing the difficult work of removing barbed wire in the area where Gibson Prairie Horse Camp is located.

September 30th Dave and I were finishing up work at the Sandy River Delta. In pulls a long horse trailer with Cheryl and Nicole from Newberg. They had a Kim McCarrel book and are working their way through the places to ride and camp.
It made us feel so good that when they pulled in the long slots were available.

The weather was perfect and the crowd enthused at the annual Gresham Teddy Bear Parade September 28. Thanks to Colene, Mary, Heather, Leslie, Steve and Joyce, Linda L. Sue G. and Kali for representing OET at this popular event.

Bus-RV
Trailer
Parking
ONLY

Sandy River Delta Recreation Site
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Alaska fall colors are coming in hot!

Serpentine Hot Springs is one of the most visited areas at Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. With a gravel airstrip, hot springs piped into an enclosed bathhouse and a bunkhouse open year-round, Serpentine offers an incredible way to experience the unique and remote landscape of the region.

One of Serpentine's most dramatic features is the large granite spires known as tors. These giant granite monoliths are even more incredible when summer's bright pinks, yellows and purples turn into deeper and darker reds, oranges and yellows during the fall.

Enjoy the change of seasons wherever you may be!

Photo by Katie Cullen / National Park Service

Autumn is the most romantic season of the year for white-tailed deer 💕

While these large mammals are out courting each other, the rest of us are out here trying not to be their third wheel. As in, we don’t want the wheels of our cars to collide with them.

During the fall rut, white-tailed deer become increasingly active. You will see them more and more near the sides of the road. Please drive vigilantly during this time (and always, really).

Deer frequently travel in groups. If one deer crosses the road in front of you, there is a strong chance that more deer will follow. Stay alert, stay aware, and stay safe!

📸Brad Pendley/USFWS

Those amazing mules and teamsters.

A 20-mule team before its 165-mile journey to the railhead in Mojave, California, ~ 1883-1889.
Photo via the National Park Service

An interesting place to horse camp and ride, and to see wild horses.

Steens Mountain, one of the largest fault-block mountains in the country, is 30 miles long and big enough to catch its own weather. Clouds can build up along the western slope of the mountain, bringing rain or snow. This capturing effect is what keeps Steens lush and cool while the Alvord Desert, directly to the east, remains hot and dry.

In 2000, Congress designated Steens Mountain as protected Wilderness. This means that these 170k acres receive the highest level of our protection.

A visitor captured this beautiful picture of Kiger Gorge. Did you know...You can share your photos too. Join our Flickr group and start sharing today: https://ow.ly/FTZi50ThJPC.

📷 Kiger Gorge at Steens Mountain, BLM Oregon & Washington; Masako Metz.

Equines of Yellowstone getting the job done.

Thanks to trail volunteers

Tansy Ragwort was no match for our tenacious volunteers July 27 at Milo McIver State Park. When pulling tansy be sure to wear gloves, protect your skin, and bag your victims.
Pix Heather and Leslie.

Herman Creek Trail is included in this closure.

Another successful Mt Hood event. 2024 Puppies & Ponies

Meeting Thursday, November 9,
Good food, good friends. Elmer’s 1590 NE Burnside, 6 p.m.
See you there!

Division of State Lands rule making for the Sandy River in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Proposed rules address shooting and vehicle use. Our Mt. Hood Chapter will be submitting a comment letter in favor of the rule changes.
Note: The State Lands are the banks of the Sandy River.

RE: Comment Opportunity: Rulemaking for Permanent Restrictions on Vehicle Use and Discharge of Fi****ms at the Sandy River Delta
The Department of State Lands is seeking comments on proposed rulemaking (OAR 141-088) that would permanently restrict vehicle use and discharge of fi****ms on state lands at Sandy River Delta. Temporary emergency restrictions have been in effect since August 1, 2023, with the aim to protect public health, safety, and the environment.
The rulemaking comment period is open from November 1, 2023, through December 1, 2023.
The proposed rule will permanently restrict vehicle usage and discharge of fi****ms on state lands at Sandy River Delta, including approximately 50 acres of natural area east of the Sandy River, the Sandy River riverbank from mile 0 to 2.5, and the Columbia River Side Channel riverbank. Some exceptions will apply, see the proposed rule language for more information.
A Rulemaking Advisory Committee was convened in October 2023 to advise on draft rule language, representing the interests and expertise of local government, land managers, local business owners, public safety and enforcement, hunters, and other recreationists. As a result of this process, the proposed rules more accurately reflected the exception needed by waterfowl hunters.
Additional Background
The Department of State Lands oversees the beds and banks of the Sandy River, as well as approximately 50 acres of natural area adjacent to a 1,500-acre U.S. Forest Service natural area extensively used for recreation. The Department and partners have been receiving increased reports of vehicles being driven and parked on Oregon-owned lands, and of fi****ms being discharged. Concerns with these uses include:
Firearm discharge puts people living and recreating in the natural area at risk. Thick brush reduces visibility past 100 yards in most places. In addition, Troutdale Airport is directly across the river and aircraft frequently fly directly overhead.
Driving and parking in the natural area creates safety and health risks. Trails are unlit and for pedestrian use only; vehicle use increases the risk of injury and damage. Fire risk is also increased when vehicles with hot mufflers access the area. Because there are no maintained roads, vehicles park over brush. Additionally, vehicles introduce fuel, oil, and exhaust, affecting human and environmental health.
Area outlined in yellow hashmarks is the closure area. See a full map here.
How to Comment
A draft of the proposed rule, OAR 141-088, is available on the DSL website along with all related materials from the rulemaking process: www.oregon.gov/dsl/Laws/Pages/Rulemaking.aspx
Feedback on the proposed rulemaking can be provided during a hybrid public meeting in Troutdale, Oregon, on Wednesday, November 15, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will begin with an information session, followed by a public hearing. Current meeting information, including meeting location, links and call-in number are on the DSL website linked above.
Comments may also be submitted in writing by online form, emailed to [email protected] or mailed to DSL at 775 Summer Street NE, Suite 100, Salem, OR 97301.
The comment deadline is December 1, 2023.
After the public comment period and public hearing, the proposed rules will be brought before the State Land Board for a decision. Written and verbal testimony is accepted at the Land Board meetings, sign up for meeting notices here: https://www.oregon.gov/dsl/News/Pages/Subscribe.aspx
Stay Updated
For the latest news on this draft rule and other proposed changes to administrative rules, subscribe to receive email updates or see the DSL website: www.oregon.gov/dsl/Laws/Pages/Rulemaking.aspx
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Oregon Department of State Lands
www.oregon.gov/dsl




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