Pack and Saddle Stock Outfitter-Guide Permit Draft EIS Appendix C-1 August 2010

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Appendix C

RECREATION ACTIVITY REVIEW

In the late 1990s, the Methow Valley Ranger District began receiving comments and concerns 

about outfitter-guide activities in the Pasayten Wilderness. Field observations from some 

people indicated that some activities did not meet Forest Plan standards and guidelines. “The 

1999 Report on the State of the Pasayten Wilderness” (Hall, M., 1999) described use and 

conditions. The report was based on field observations by two individuals about the Spanish 

Camp/Remmel Lake area. While most of the observations were valid for isolated spots, they

lacked perspective concerning the overall wilderness condition. The report also failed to take 

into account past actions and conditions still visible, but not caused by current recreation use or 

outfitter-guide permit activities. A detailed analysis and response to the report is in the project 

analysis file.

In response to the concerns raised by the 1999 Report and others, the Methow Valley Ranger 

District developed a “Wilderness Recreation, Stock, and Outfitter Use Strategy and Action Plan”, 

signed by the Forest Supervisor on April 24, 2000. The objective of the plan was to reduce 

stock-related wilderness impacts in both the Pasayten and Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness 

Areas. The plan included 22 specific action items for the 2000 outfitter-guide season, and 

beyond, designed to address Forest Plan compliance and concerns raised by the public (USDA 

Forest Service, 2000e).

One of the action items requested an internal Wilderness Activity Review regarding recreational 

impacts in the 2000 season. The review was completed with focus on the Spanish 

Camp/Remmel Lake area. The objective of the review was to determine if activities were in 

compliance with the Forest Plan. The final report, “Recreation Activity Review, Spanish Camp 

and Remmel Lake Area, Pasayten Wilderness” (UDSA Forest Service, 2000c) documents a 

number of corrections needed to bring activities into compliance, however, no conditions or 

threats were found that constituted an emergency or that were jeopardizing the wilderness 

resource. In fact, the reviewers found an upward/improving trend in overall resource.

These general observations were made (USDA Forest Service, 2000c):

Although there are some areas where actions are needed, no conditions or 

threats which constitute an emergency or that jeopardize the wilderness 

resource were fund in the Spanish Camp/Remmel Lake Area of the Pasayten 

Wilderness. In fact, an upward/improving trend in overall resource 

conditions was observed.

A confusing network of trails occurs in the area, many of the existing trails 

are not needed, and have caused localized impacts to some riparian areas 

and wet meadows; there are established campsites that do not meet forest 

plan standards and guidelines, some of the established campsites are also 

contributing to unacceptable resource and social effects.
Pack and Saddle Stock Outfitter-Guide Permit Draft EIS Appendix C-2 August 2010

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

The limited and/or localized trail and site conditions, which must be 

addressed, can be treated with known actions and methods; in addition it is 

understood that the effects related to outfitter guide activities will be 

addressed in the ongoing outfitter guide environmental analysis.

Stream/riparian habitats are largely in proper functioning condition with 

primarily limited and/or localized effects of recreational stock grazing, 

trampling, and trailing.

The wetlands and riparian areas are functioning properly, provide aquatic 

habitat, and meet the specific stream and riparian standards of PACFISH and 

InFish.

The report made the several findings that the Methow Valley Ranger District has been using to 

guide recreation and outfitter-guide management in the Pasayten and Lake Chelan-Sawtooth 

wilderness areas. The findings and actions taken to address the findings are detailed below. 

Finding #1: The network of trails in the area is the result of historic and current undirected 

travel, not by the need for trails and the need to manage resource effects.

Actions Taken to Address Finding #1:

Grant application underway to fund a comprehensive trail plan for the Remmel 

Lake/Spanish Camp area;

Received capital investment program funding to implement a portion of the Chewuch Trail 

reroute in fiscal year 2006;

Installed signs at trail junctions to identify system trails;

Created brochure “Traveling With Stock in Pasayten High Country” that includes 

information about camping and traveling in fragile alpine habitats, and a trail map of the 

Spanish Camp/Remmel Lake area;

Provided up-to-date trail information at Forest Service offices and on the Forest website;

Discussed camp access with outfitters to develop and maintain one main access trail into 

camps;

Worked with outfitter who uses Bald Mountain camp to manage stock trails between 

camp and grazing area;

Signed sensitive plant habitat area below Amphitheater to keep riders on trails;

Two deeply rutted trails in the Spanish Camp area are being restored with check dams, 

drainage structures, and closures by the Spanish Camp ranger and volunteers.

Finding #2: Forest Plan party size and campsite standards are not compatible at all locations. 

Many established campsites do not meet at least one standard and guideline however it 

appears that most sites could be managed within an acceptable range of effects and toward

plan standards.

Actions Taken to Address Finding #2:

Completed a campsite inventory of Spanish Camp/Remmel Lake area, showing users trails, 

exposed roots, vegetation loss and bare, and compacted soil;

Collect use information by permit system, including date, duration, type of use, and area;
Pack and Saddle Stock Outfitter-Guide Permit Draft EIS Appendix C-3 August 2010

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Installed hitch rails at Hidden Lake and Bald Mountain, repaired hitch rail at Upper 

Cathedral;

Enacted a CFR restriction at Black Lake to eliminate stock camping within 1⁄2 mile of the lake 

shore;

A campsite near the shoreline of Williams Lake was closed, scarified, and re-planted in the 

fall of 2005. This campsite had been identified as a priority for restoration due to the 

proximity of the lake and the availability of alternate campsites in the area. This campsite 

was used primarily by the non-outfitted public;

Two campsites in wet areas near Remmel Lake were closed via signage and removal of a 

hitchrail. One site has recovered with vegetation filling in the bare area; no longer 

identifiable as a campsite. Recovery at the other site is slower but progressing. These 

campsites were used primarily by the non-outfitted public;

The Pasayten Campsite Restoration Project funded the completion of restoration activities 

on additional campsites in the summers of 2007 and 2008;

Forest Service personnel have been working with the outfitter who uses the Bald Mountain 

camp to determine the best location for hitchrails, which were selected instead of a highline 

because there were no trees suitable for a highline. The outfitter has also worked to 

establish a route for the stock to take from camp to the grazing area that avoids or 

minimizes impact to wetland hummocks;

Permanent improvements at the Sheep Mountain camp were removed in 2002. The corral 

was retained to reduce grazing near the camp where native plant succession has been 

altered by past stock animal grazing. The materials used for the corral were changed; old 

wire was removed and live trees are no longer used as posts;

An outfitter camp at Corral Lake was closed to outfitter use, partially scarified and the 

access trail was blocked. Pioneer plant species were allowed to become established on the 

recommendation of the District Botanist;

A trail above Remmel Lake will be adjusted to access more appropriate, already established 

camping areas;

Campsites are being evaluated for potential impacts to threatened and endangered species;

Dead and defective tree habitat is abundant in the Pasayten Wilderness. Due to the relative 

lack of management activities, dead and defective tree habitat occurs at natural levels. The 

Pasayten and Lake Chelan-Sawtooth are dominated by high elevation forests of subalpine 

fir, Engelmann spruce, lodgepole pine, and Douglas-fir, though there are a few areas with 

ponderosa pine. Recent forest insect and disease activity has resulted in an abundance of 

dead and defective tree habitat in some areas. Pine beetle activity has killed large numbers 

of mature lodgepole pine trees and root-rots have killed many pockets of Douglas-fir. 

Recent large wildfires in the analysis area have consumed some dead and defective tree 

habitat, but have also created many new snags.

Finding #3: Overall range conditions appear to be improving from over 100 years of sheep, 

cattle, and horse grazing; however localized disturbances persist that affect wetland/riparian 

and unique habitats.

Livestock grazing permits in the Pasayten and Lake Chelan-Sawtooth have not been 

restocked;

A regional CFR requiring weed-free feed on all National Forest System Land;
Pack and Saddle Stock Outfitter-Guide Permit Draft EIS Appendix C-4 August 2010

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Denied request for an outfitter-guide camp at Middle Oval basin based on monitoring of 

range condition, 2008.

Reduced the number of authorized over-sized parties by approving a very limited number of 

requests. 

Worked with outfitter-guide who using the Bald Mountain camp to find a way to move stock 

through the near-by wetland to drier hillsides for grazing.

Finding #4: Special use permit administration has not kept pace with the increasing complexity 

of social, resource, and Forest Service policy issues, nor actively sought the outfitter guides as 

partners to effectively model wilderness stewardship. The review team evaluated the 

4/24/2000 action plan, and concluded that it is complimentary and consistent with the team’s 

findings and recommendations.

Actions Taken to Address Finding #4:

Worked to maintain positive relationships with outfitters through annual meetings with 

individual outfitters to discuss performance, operations, and concerns;

Hosted annual spring meeting with all outfitters to discuss upcoming Forest Service 

activities, outfitter concerns, and Forest Service concerns;

Permit administrator and lead Wilderness Ranger attended Special Use Permit 

Administration Training;

Outfitter Guide Permit Administration Review was conducted for the Okanogan-Wenatchee 

National Forest to standardize and improve overall administration;

Campsites are discussed with outfitters, and field reviews with Forest Service employees 

and outfitters help address camp management issues. Campsite conditions are also 

discussed and evaluated in annual performance evaluation meetings;

To minimize the potential for bears to access human food, garbage or other attractants, 

these items are required to be stored in a bear-resistant manner with the proper storage.

Priority use numbers have been maintained to meet Forest Plan standard and guideline;

Drop camps are discussed at annual performance evaluation meetings; these camps are 

visited by Forest Service employees to assess camp management, location, and compliance 

with permits;

Permit administrators on the Chelan and Methow Valley Ranger Districts have been working 

together in the field, in meetings, and in correspondence with outfitters to provide crossunit coordination;

The number of oversized parties has been reduced substantially; since 2001 there have 

been fewer than five oversized parties;

Highline areas were established at the Crow Lake camp so stock would not be tied to trees;

Highline areas were also established at Beaver Creek to replace an ineffective highline;

Notices of non-compliance have been issued to outfitters found to be out of compliance 

with permit clauses.

Finding #5: There is a lack of social and resource inventory, and monitoring information and 

documentation.

Actions Taken to Address Finding #5: 

Inventory and monitoring plan developed for threatened and endangered species

Work with plant groups to inventory
Pack and Saddle Stock Outfitter-Guide Permit Draft EIS Appendix C-5 August 2010

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Conservation assessment status?

Completed two year of National Visitor Use Monitoring. This will be completed every five 

years, and will provide statistically valid information about use level.

Inspections/monitoring of outfitter camps

Baseline campsite monitoring done on 26 campsites in Spanish Camp/Remmel Lake area 

and 70 sites in the western portion of the Pasayten

Encounter data collected and recorded by Wilderness Rangers

Finding #6: Some visitors lack minimum impact skills and wilderness resource knowledge.

Actions Taken to Address Finding #6:

Information about wilderness ethic and resource information, in addition to rules and 

regulations, is posted at all trailheads, and available to all groups. It is also available at the 

Forest Service offices;

Information is provided on wilderness permits;

Wilderness ethics and resource information is on the Forest Service web site;

Leave-No-Trace camping techniques are taught by Wilderness Rangers;

Handouts detailing Leave-No-Trace camping techniques are available at Forest Service 

Offices, and on Forest Service and outfitter websites;

Lead Wilderness Ranger and Wilderness Stock Ranger have attended Leave-No-Trace 

training; both have taught Leave-No-Trace stock in conjunction with Backcountry 

Horsemen;

Local and State Backcountry Horsemen groups have hosted Leave-No-Trace workshops. 

The Methow Valley Ranger district Lead Wilderness Ranger and the Wilderness Stock 

Ranger have assisted in the instruction;

Backcountry Horsemen and Forest Service co-host a Leave-No-Trace display and 

interaction at annual spring festival hosted by Washington Outfitters and Guides 

Association;

A Wilderness Ranger worked with a group of Backcountry Horsemen volunteers 

contacting campers in the Spanish Camp/Remmel Lake area, promoting Leave-No-Trace 

camping techniques and rules and regulation;

All outfitters and outfitter clients are required to securely store, using wildlife resistant 

containers or hanging methods where feasible, all food, garbage, toiletries, and other 

possible wildlife attractants. These guidelines are discussed with clients. Outfitters are 

required to follow the additional outlines provided by wildlife biologists in regards to 

acceptable food and trash storage methods.

“Traveling With Stock in Pasayten High Country” brochure aids visitors in using the 

Pasayten, and is available at the district offices;

Wilderness Rangers, trail crew members, and Lead Wilderness Ranger have attended 

training at Nine Mile Training Center for stock use, Leave-No-Trace training.
Pack and Saddle Stock Outfitter-Guide Permit Draft EIS Appendix C-6 August 2010

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

The Methow Valley Ranger District prepared Wilderness Action Plans and Reports for 2000, 

2001, 2002, 2003, with a follow-up report in 2005, and an Action Plan for 2006. Copies of these 

are in the project analysis file. They demonstrate a concentrated effort on the part of the 

District to bring recreation and outfitter-guide activities into compliance with the Forest Plan, 

and to address the Findings in the Recreation Activity Review.