Overnight Camping – Backcountry
Under this alternative, no overnight winter backcountry camping would be allowed in the park. All backcountry activities would be restricted to day use.
Alternative 3 – Expanded Cross-County Skiing
Snowmobiling
Same as in Alternative 1.
Cross-Country Skiing
Under this alternative, the existing ungroomed trail network would be maintained. Unrestricted cross-country ski use would continue to be allowed throughout the park. A groomed trail system would be created at Mazama Village within existing campground roadways. The purpose of this trail system would be to provide a more sheltered location for beginning cross-country skiers. The visitor experience could be enhanced by including an interpretive component designed to educate users about the Mazama Village area and surrounding ecosystem. Cross-country ski instruction could be provided if sufficient demand existed. Instruction would not be provided by the NPS. Year-round lodging, food service, and equipment rental at Mazama Village could be supported under this alternative, because greater winter visitor use in this area would increase demand for lodging and other services.
Snowshoeing
Same as in Alternative 1, with the option for additional snowshoe walks from Mazama Village.
Overnight Camping – Frontcountry
Overnight recreational vehicle parking and camping would be prohibited in Rim Village and Munson Valley. Facilities or spaces for overnight recreational vehicle and car camping would be provided in Mazama Village.
Overnight Camping – Backcountry
The existing overnight backcountry permit camping system would be maintained. In addition, the NPS would explore development of a hut-to-hut cross-country ski system within the park to increase opportunities for winter backcountry use.
Alternative 4 – Expanded Cross-Country Skiing and Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling
In addition to the existing snowmobile/snowcoach route from the north entrance to North Junction, snowmobiles would be allowed access to the rim via the Pinnacles road. Snowmobiles would enter and exit the park via the former east entrance and travel on the Pinnacles road to and from the Phantom Ship overlook at Kerr Notch. This would provide an additional 12-mile round-trip route for snowmobile use in the park. A route along the northeast portion of Rim Drive linking the Pinnacles road with North Junction is not proposed, because of steep terrain and avalanche hazards in the Dutton Cliffs area.
Cross-Country Skiing
In addition to the cross-country skiing system described under Alternative 3, the NPS would explore the possibility of developing a groomed trail system on Rim Drive. Alternatively, a groomed trail could be established on Rim Drive east to Vidae Falls or Sun Notch, and possibly west to the Lightning Springs trailhead.
Snowshoeing
Same as in Alternative 3.
Overnight Camping – Frontcountry
Same as in Alternative 3.
Overnight Camping – Backcountry
Same as in Alternative 3.
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