Hi-Grouse Project

Recreation Report

Prepared by:

Rochelle Desser,

Environmental Coordinator

TEAMS Enterprise Unit

for:

Goosenest Ranger District,

Klamath National Forest

Reviewed by: 

James Stout,

Resource Officer 

Goosenest Ranger District

August 2009

Recreation Report Hi-Grouse Project EIS

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Table of Contents

Introduction................................................................................................................................. 1

Forest Plan Direction .................................................................................................................. 1

Affected Environment................................................................................................................. 1

Project Design Features .............................................................................................................. 3

Environmental Consequences..................................................................................................... 3

Alternative 1....................................................................................................................... 3

Action Alternatives............................................................................................................. 3

References................................................................................................................................... 6

Recreation Report Hi-Grouse Project EIS

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Introduction

Viewing scenery is the single most sought after recreation activity on the Klamath National Forest

(Mattson, Scenery Report, 2009). Effects on scenery and scenic stability are discussed in the 

Scenery report. 

Dispersed recreation in the summer consists mainly of driving for pleasure (or sightseeing), birdwatching, nature hikes, hiking, biking, OHV riding (mainly in conjunction with hunting), and 

hunting. Dispersed recreation in the winter consists of cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, 

snowshoeing, and snow play (see Map 1, page 4).

There are no unusual conflicts associated with this project. Few improvements exist within the 

area (the Four Corners facility, and several range improvements exist outside the boundaries). 

One water pond is in the project area (see Map 2, page 5). 

Forest Plan Direction

Relevant Forest Plan goals include:

• Enhance recreational opportunities as long as they complement protection and 

management of wetland, riparian, aquatic and upland ecosystems, and wildlife habitat 

needs.

• Manage vegetation and grazing to be compatible with wildlife, fisheries, and recreation 

objectives.

Affected Environment

The Forest Service has developed the Recreation NICHE process for recreation facilities analysis. 

This process was developed to define the particular recreation niche the forest could provide for 

the public. The Forest defined spatial units that had particular characteristics which could support 

a defined set of recreational experiences. The KNF conducted a recreation facilities analysis 

which characterized the forest and defined spaces in terms of use and sense of place. Goosenest 

travelways and lookouts support scenery and wildlife viewing plus easy access to fishable lakes 

and high-elevation meadows accented by wildflowers, streams, aspen, and wildlife (Recreation 

NICHE Narrative, page 1, 2007). 

Within the project area, recreation access is provided by Roads 15 and 77 and snowmobile routes 

on FS 44N02, 44N03, 44N61, 44N62, 44N75, and 44N77. These are visually sensitive areas (see 

Scenery report). There is little evidence of human-caused impacts along these routes and most 

are used minimally in the summer. During the winter months these routes are used as 

snowmobile routes. The project area provides mostly dispersed recreation opportunities. 

“Dispersed recreation is outdoor recreation that involves relatively low density use and occurs 

over broad expanses of land and water. Dispersed recreational activity accounts for 80 percent of 

Forest recreational use. Most dispersed activity occurs during the summer and fall months. All 

dispersed areas are currently managed at low standard levels.” (LRMP, page 3-12)

Most popular dispersed recreational activities within the project area include snowmobiling,

dispersed camping at primitive sites, hunting, viewing scenery, natural features and wildlife, and 

driving for pleasure. Smaller dispersed campsites are also located within the project area and 

depicted on the Recreation Dispersed Use Map. 
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The following recreation uses were identified in 2002 for the KNF (in order from greatest to 

smallest percent participation from 2002 National Visitor Use Monitoring Report) (table 1). 

Snowmobile travel is a more prevalent use in the project area than the Forest-wide average in the 

visitor use report. The 1996 Goosenest Adaptive Management Area Ecosystem Analysis stated: 

“The Goosenest Ranger District has had a dramatic increase in winter sport activities, including 

cross-country skiing, sledding, dog-sledding, and associated snow play.”

The emphasis on viewing scenery, forests, flowers, wildlife, birds, and fish, etc., on national 

forest system lands is similar in the project area to elsewhere on the forest. 

Table 1. Recreation uses identified in 2002 for the KNF

Activity1

Percent 

Participation

Percent Who 

Said It Was 

Their Primary 

Activity

Viewing wildlife, birds, fish, etc., on national forest system 

lands 78.4 2.4

Viewing natural features such as scenery, flowers, etc., on 

national forest system lands 77.5 22.2

General/other: relaxing, hanging out, escaping noise and heat, 

etc., 51.9 14.8

Driving for pleasure on roads 30.9 7.7

Hiking or walking 27.5 3.9

Picnicking and family day gatherings in developed sites (family 

or group) 16.7 5.8

Off-highway vehicle travel (4-wheelers, dirt bikes, etc.) 13.5 2.4

Nature study 13.4 2.0

Primitive camping 12.9 4.0

Fishing: all types 10.7 3.3

Other non-motorized activities (swimming, games and sports) 10.1 2.6

Cross-country skiing, snow shoeing 10.0 8.3

Gathering mushrooms, berries, firewood, or other natural 

products 8.1 4.8

Non-motorized water travel (canoe, raft, etc.) 7.9 5.3

Camping in developed sites (family or group) 7.7 3.4

Backpacking, camping in unroaded areas 4.9 3.1

Hunting: all types 4.5 4.2

Visiting historic and prehistoric sites/area 3.7 0.2

Visiting a nature center, nature trail or visitor information 

services 2.6 0.4

Snowmobile travel 2.1 2.1

Resorts, cabins, and other accommodations on Forest 

Service-managed lands (private or Forest Service run) 1.1 0.0

Motorized water travel (boats, ski sleds, etc.) 0.7 0.0

Bicycling, including mountain bikes 0.6 0.4

Downhill skiing or snowboarding 0.6 0.4

Horseback riding 0.5 0.4 1 In order from greatest to smallest percent participation from 2002 National Visitor Use Monitoring Report.
Recreation Report Hi-Grouse Project EIS

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Project Design Features

• Roads 15 and 77 provide groomed snowmobile access to the Medicine Lake area during 

winter. These roads would be avoided during winter haul or an 8-foot lane would be 

groomed for snowmobiles and not plowed if no alternative haul route exists. 

• Limit conifer removal and minimize harvest activities in dispersed campsites.

• Do not girdle trees near dispersed campsites or along high use recreation access roads.

• Protect dispersed campsites within the project area to maintain their integrity of these 

sites.

• Do not use or dispersed campsites for landings, burn bays, or contractor campsites or 

parking areas.

• Remove all identified live or dead hazard trees within or in close proximity to dispersed 

campsites and along high-use recreation access roads.

• Provide safety signing or temporary road closures in active project areas to provide for 

public safety.

• Provide dust abatement as necessary on heavily traveled roads within the project area to 

provide for public safety.

• Dispersed campgrounds are not to be used for landings or burn piles.

• Physical improvements, such as a water pond in the northern section of the project area, 

would be protected from damage from project treatments. 

Environmental Consequences

Alternative 1

Existing conditions and trends would be perpetuated. There are no direct effects on recreation 

and the potential for indirect effects based on changes in vegetation is remote. 

Action Alternatives

None of the action alternatives will result in measurable impacts to recreation. Logging would be 

evident in the ponderosa pine/mixed conifer restoration and re-establishment units which are 

visible from snowmobile routes; however, the openings created in these units would mimic 

natural openings in size and appearance. The proposed treatments would not create openings 

large enough to stand-out along these trails. 

The operational impacts of the projects such as traffic, noise and dust will be temporary. There is 

no reason to expect recreation use to measurably increase or decrease because of the proposed 

project. No recreation user conflicts have been identified. Because there are no direct and 

indirect effects, there are also no cumulative effects on recreation resources. 
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Map 1. Hi-Grouse improvements
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Map 2. Hi-Grouse dispersed camping areas
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References

USDA-Forest Service. 1995. Klamath National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. 

Pacific Southwest Region, Vallejo, CA.

USDA-Forest Service. 1996. Goosenest Adaptive Management Area Ecosystem Analysis. 

Klamath National Forest.

USDA-Forest Service. 2002. National Visitor Use Monitoring Report for the Klamath National 

Forest. Prepared by Kocis, English, Zarnoch, and others. p. 12-13.

USDA-Forest Service. 2007. Klamath National Forest Recreation Facility Analysis NICHE 

Statement. Klamath National Forest.