DNR E-news: May recreation updates

May DNR Recreation Updates

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Gear up for downhill mountain biking thrills

DNR's Dry Hill, near Port Angeles, played host to the first and second round of downhill mountain biking races in the 2015 NW Cup. Check out our Flickr album or click the following video for a view of the first round's action.

For more information, visit nwcup.com.

Want to see more? Visit our Youtube channel.

Shout out to our volunteers in the Yacolt Burn State Forest

ORV riders,
mountain bikers, horseback riders and hikers joined together in early May for the 13th annual Pick Up the Burn. Each year dedicated volunteers help to care for the Yacolt Burn State Forest and pitch in to tackle illegal dumping in the forest. This year, about 150 people turned out, gathered, and hauled more than 40 cubic yards of litter from the Yacolt Burn State Forest.

Click the image below to see this year's Pick Up the Burn in action.

Want to give back to DNR-managed land? Visit DNR's volunteer calendar to find an event in your area.

New trail opportunities are flying your way

Last month a helicopter delivered two trail bridges in the Snoqualmie Corridor. The addition of a 40-foot bridge over Mine Creek helps make Granite Creek, a popular hiker-only trail in Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area, suited to serve visitors for years to come. Another bridge on East Tiger Mountain's Climbing Trail, expected to open in Spring 2016, will help give mountain bikers a more direct ascent to higher elevation trails in the 15-mile system.

Head to our blog for more information.

Safer summer fun: Help prevent wildfires

Want to know how you can reduce your chance of starting a fire? Check out our recreation guide to fire safety. Click the image and use the arrows to follow along.

Want to learn more about keeping your trips to DNR-managed land safe and fun? Check out our guide to safe and sustainable recreation.

With warmer weather comes more recreation opportunities

Many of our most-loved recreation sites and campgrounds reopen in May. For example, Flodelle Creek Campground, in our Northeast Region near Colville, has reopened. Flodelle Creek flows near the campground and empties into the Little Pend Oreille River. Head to our Flickr album for more photos of this recreation site.

Have another site in mind? Head to our website to see what's open and closed before making the drive.

Partnerships are our key to success

Thanks to the Back Country Horsemen of Washington

The Back Country Horsemen of Washington (BCHW) was organized in 1976 to help keep trails open to stock use. Today, members in its 32 chapters volunteer more 60,000 hours each year. In 2014, more than 10,000 of those hours were devoted to DNR-managed lands.

BCHW helps organize DNR's Great Gravel Pack-In each March to harden trails in the Capitol State Forest. Chapters also organize work parties to maintain and improve campgrounds, trailheads, and trails on DNR-managed lands throughout the year.

This year, BCHW is also working with DNR to improve BBQ Flats in the Wenas area north of Yakima.

Want to see BCHW in action? Head over to our Youtube channel for a look at this year's Great Gravel Pack-In.

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Have fun and get involved!

BBQ Flats Work Party, near Ellensburg
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 21

Trout Lake Weed Rodeo, near Trout Lake
9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 21

BBQ Flats Work Party, near Ellensburg
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 22

BBQ Flats Work Party, near Ellensburg
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 23

Jones Creek ORV Trail Work Party, near Camas
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 30

Reiter Foothills Work Party, near Gold Bar
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 31

Visit DNR's Volunteer Calendar for more information. Remember, your efforts can also earn you a Discover Pass.

Map of the month: Yacolt Burn State Forest

DNR staff are excited to release new trail maps of the motorized and non-motorized trail systems in the Yacolt Burn State Forest. Yacolt Burn State Forest provides opportunities for diverse recreation activities including horseback riding, off-road vehicle riding, mountain biking, and hiking.

Visit DNR's trail map Web page for this and other maps that you can download and print.

Teanaway Community Forest Notice

The Washington state departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife will soon be seeking new members to join the Teanaway Community Forest advisory committee. One of the next big challenges facing the Teanaway and its co-managing agencies will be the creation of a recreation plan.

Watch for membership applications to become available at www.dnr.wa.gov/Teanaway in the next week or two, with deadlines in June.

DNR recreation news is for you

DNR's Recreation News e-newsletter helps you explore where to go, what to do, and what to look forward to on DNR-managed lands. Contact Eryn Akers at eryn.akers@dnr.wa.gov or 360-902-1066 with story ideas or comments.