Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing Snowshoeing is an individual or guided interpretive activity in the park. Guided snowshoe walks are offered by the NPS twice daily on weekends, holidays, and during Christmas and spring breaks. Group walks are offered on weekdays by reservation. The primary purpose for guided snowshoe walks is to provide the winter visitor with a unique opportunity to view park resources from a perspective different than that experienced during the summer season. Guided walks are approximately 1/2 mile long and originate at Rim Village. Snowshoes can be rented at the activity center. Snowshoeing is unrestricted throughout the park.
Snow Recreation
Snowplay Snow recreation includes sledding, innertubing, tobogganing, and various other snow play activities. There are no designated or monitored snow recreation areas in the park; however, these activities generally occur near Rim Village, in meadows or clearings,. and along the roadside. Park policy does not restrict these activities; however, because of liability issues associated with providing designated and maintained snow play areas, snow recreation is not officially sanctioned in the park.
Overnight Camping – Front Country
Overnight camping Front-country areas by NPS definition include developed areas of the park such as designated camping areas, Rim Village, Munson Valley, and Mazama Village. Currently, winter overnight recreational vehicle and car camping is allowed in Rim Village within a small designated area; however, no facilities are provided. Overnight camping in this area is not sanctioned but it is not prohibited by park policy. The number of visitor parties using this area generally ranges from zero to three per night. Some concern exists regarding the safety of overnight camping in Rim Village because unexpected snow storms can trap vehicles or leave unplowed roads impassable. No front-country camping facilities are currently provided because of high snow levels. A provision to appropriately accommodate this use in the future will be addressed in the WUP.
Overnight Camping – Back Country
By definition back-country areas are those areas located away from plowed roadways and developed areas such as Rim Village and Munson Valley. These areas are not maintained but are patrolled by volunteers and park personnel. Back-country areas are generally used by winter enthusiasts seeking solitude. Use of these areas is permitted throughout the park with little restriction; however, all visitors must obtain a permit for overnight stays. NPS data show that overnight back-country use is actually higher during the winter than during the summer season. Because winter back-country camping occurs throughout the park and not in designated areas, it is not shown on Figure 2.
DRAFT ALTERNATIVE WINTER USE
SCENARIOS
Winter use alternatives
Four alternative winter use scenarios have been developed by park staff. These draft scenarios were developed to provide a framework for public discussion. The public can suggest additional alternatives or amend the draft alternatives. The NPS will select a preferred winter use alternative based on public input upon completion of the scoping phase of the project.
Altemative 1 – No Action
No action Snowmobiling
Under this alternative, the current snowmobile/snowcoach route (Route S 1) within the park would remain between the north entrance and North Junction. No changes to existing snowmobile routes would occur (Figure 2).
Cross-Country Skiing
Under this alternative, ungroomed cross-country skiing facilities within the park would remain unchanged. The existing marked trail system (Routes UC1 through UC6) would be maintained, and unrestricted cross-country skiing would continue throughout the park (Figure 2).
Snowshoe Walks
Guided interpretive snowshoe walks would continue (Figure 2). However, the number and frequency of snowshoe walks could change based on funding and public demand.
Overnight Camping – Front Country
For the foreseeable future, winter front-country recreational vehicle parking or camping would be permitted in Rim Village in the designated area (Figure 2). Front-country camping would not be prevented; however, no provisions would be made to accommodate this use.
