Trails are closed annually to provide winter refuge for mule deer and other wildlife
information released
Chelan PUD, City of Wenatchee and Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) will open the Wenatchee Foothills trail systems for outdoor recreation on Monday, April 1.
Every year, several trails in the Wenatchee foothills close to provide winter refuge for mule deer and other wildlife, typically Dec. 1-April 1.
“The early green-up of the foothills provided the first good source of calories in months for the mule deer,” said Von Pope, Chelan PUD Wildlife Biologist. “We want to thank everyone for giving them space this winter.”
Chelan PUD manages Home Water Wildlife Preserve – about 960 acres in the heart of Sage Hills – as part of its federal license to operate Rock Island Dam. Winter closures are a condition of the permitted seasonal trail use.
Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and the City of Wenatchee also close public access to more than 2,200 acres of open space adjacent to PUD property to provide additional winter range for wildlife.
“This spring, CDLT is conducting trail maintenance work across the Foothills beginning with the Saddle Rock Traverse Trail,” said Jennifer Hadersberger, Director for Climate, Access, and Stewardship. “Trail users will see intermittent trail closures as sections of trail are improved to make them more sustainable in the future.”
Along with the trail improvements, CDLT welcomes everyone to sign up for upcoming events to get outdoors and connect to nature. In the Wenatchee Foothills, you will see Trail Ambassadors at different trailheads collecting trail user data and welcoming people.
Starting in early April, trail users may see Chelan PUD crews working in Horse Lake Reserve as they replace four wooden transmission structures with fire-resistant steel. Trails are expected to remain open during the month long project, but please be vigilant and keep a safe distance from the work area.
