Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D2 - 1

APPENDIX D - 2 

Forestwide Management Direction - 

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum - (ROS) Summer

Introduction 

The Forest Service has used ROS since the 1980’s as a management tool to describe and map 

outdoor recreation settings. (See (Forest Service, ROS Book, 1986). ROS is one of four mapped 

management direction tools used in this FEIS, the others being Management Prescription 

Categories (MPC), Winter Recreation, and Scenery Management System (SMS). The ROS 

system provides a way to help managers and recreation users understand what recreation 

experiences to expect and where these are available across the forest. ROS can help people 

visualize the variety of natural outdoor settings, the types of activities that can be pursued, and 

how many other people might be found in an area of the forest. The system is applied in 

combination with other management direction such as desired future conditions, standards, 

guidelines, goals, and objectives to define expectations about management of a particular area of 

the forest. 

ROS Application and Relationship to Travel Planning and Management 

This section addresses how ROS mapping is to be used when Travel Management Plans are 

updated. A mapped ROS Class such as Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized is not intended to 

preclude consideration of additional motorized routes in that area, for example to develop a loop 

between existing motorized routes. Likewise, an area mapped as Semi-Primitive Motorized 

because of an existing motorized trail is not intended to be precluded from consideration for 

closure and return to non-motorized status. ROS Maps provide direction for managing 

recreation settings until such time that Travel Management Plans are updated through sitespecific analysis. As Travel Plans are updated, that analysis can include alternatives that will 

require amendment of the Forest Plan ROS Maps. In other words, ROS Mapping necessarily 

follows Travel Management Plan updates, rather than precluding certain changes to them. This 

ensures that a range of options can be considered at the site-specific level, which is the 

appropriate scale for decision-making on designated open travel routes. This is an expected and 

appropriate type of adaptation of the Plan to changes in the future. 

Finally, it is important to recognize that the ROS maps are NOT Travel Management Maps and 

do not show which routes are designated as open to motorized uses. A ROS Class of motorized 

on the map may be the result of motorized routes nearby but off National Forest that influence 

the recreation setting on National Forest. A good example of this is in some areas of the 

Wasatch Front foothills where roads off Forest create sights and sounds that cause the adjacent 

Forest to be mapped as semi-primitive motorized even though there are no motorized routes 

within them on National Forest. 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D2 - 2

Recreation Opportunity Class Descriptions 

Table D2-1 provides a description of each of the seven ROS classes applied to the WasatchCache National Forest. These classes were applied using rules established in the ROS manual 

(listed above) in conjunction with minor adjustments for local conditions. It is important to 

recognize that these maps are NOT Travel Management Maps and do not show which routes are 

designated as open to motorized uses. A ROS Class of motorized may be the result of motorized 

routes nearby but off National Forest and influencing the recreation setting on National Forest. 

ROS (summer) maps of alternatives can be found in the Map Packets. 

Table D2-1. Classes, Settings and Opportunity Descriptions 

ROS DESCRIPTION 

CLASS Setting Characteristics Wilderness/Primitive 

Physical 

Theme: 

Remote (3 miles from motorized use), predominately 

unmodified, naturally evolving landscape character 

Location: 

MPC 1.1, High Uintas Wilderness 

Infrastructure: 

Access – non-motorized trails are present 

Fishing Sites – rivers and lakes 

Camp/Picnic Sites – not developed or defined, leave no trace 

Sanitation – no facilities, leave no trace 

Water Supply – undeveloped natural 

Signing – minimal, constructed of rustic natural materials 

Interpretation – through self discovery and at trailheads 

Water Crossing – minimal, some bridges made of natural 

(non-dimensional) materials may exist, but are rare 

Vegetation: 

Natural, no treatments except for fire use 

Managerial 

Few signs, few encounters with rangers, travel on foot and 

horse, no motorized or mechanized travel allowed 

Social 

Local adjustment: High Uintas Wilderness may have the 

sights and sounds of commercial flight routes near by 

or directly over the Wilderness 

Off Trail System: Very Low encounters with other parties 

Trials: Low encounters with other parties 

Camp Spacing: Should not be closer than one mile apart 

Opportunities: Closeness to nature; self-reliance, 

moderately-high to high challenge and risk; little 

evidence of people off of trails 

Wilderness/Primitive 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D2 - 3

ROS DESCRIPTION 

CLASS Setting Characteristics 

Physical 

Theme: 

Remote (less than 3 miles from motorized use), 

predominately unmodified, naturally evolving 

landscape character 

Location: 

MPC 1.2 & 1.3, High Uintas 

MPC 1.1 - 1.3, Mt. Olympus, Twin Peaks, Lone Peak, 

Deseret Peak, Mount Naomi and Wellsville Mountain 

Wildernesses 

Infrastructure: 

Access – non-motorized trails are present 

Fishing Sites – rivers and lakes 

Camp/Picnic Sites – not developed or defined, leave no trace 

Sanitation – no facilities, leave no trace 

Water Supply – undeveloped natural 

Signing – minimal, constructed of rustic natural materials 

Interpretation – through self discovery and at trailheads 

Water Crossing – minimal, some bridges made of natural 

(non-dimensional) materials may exist, but are rare 

Vegetation: 

Natural, no treatments except for fire use 

Managerial Few signs, few encounters with rangers, travel on foot and 

horse, no motorized or mechanized travel allowed 

Wilderness/Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized 

Social 

Off Trail System: MPC 1.1 in Mt. Olympus, Twin Peaks, 

Lone Peak, Deseret Peak, Mount Naomi, and 

Wellsville Mountain Wildernesses Low encounters 

with other parties 

Trails: MPC 1.1 in Mt. Olympus, Twin Peaks, Lone Peak, 

Deseret Peak, Mount Naomi, and Wellsville 

Wildernesses –Low encounters with other parties 

MPC 1.2, 1.3 in High Uintas, Mt. Olympus, Twin 

Peaks, Lone Peak, Deseret Peak, Mount Naomi and 

Wellsville Mountain Wildernesses –Low encounters 

with other parties 

Local Adjustment: High Uintas, Mt. Olympus, Twin Peaks, 

Lone Peak, Deseret Peak and Mount Naomi, and 

Wellsville Wildernesses all have the sights and 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D2 - 4

ROS DESCRIPTION 

CLASS Setting Characteristics 

Social 

Sounds of commercial flight routes near by or 

directly over the wilderness 

Local Adjustment: Mt. Olympus, Twin Peaks, Lone Peak, 

Deseret Peak Mt. Naomi, and Wellsville 

Wildernesses are adjacent to population centers and 

the sights and sounds of these communities could be 

evident 

Local Adjustment for Weekends and Holidays Trails: 

High Uintas, Mount Naomi, Wellsville Mountain and 

Deseret Peak Wildernesses – MPC 1.2 – Moderately 

Low encounters with other parties 

Local Adjustment for Weekends and Holidays Trails: 

Mt. Olympus, Twin Peaks, and Lone Peak 

Wildernesses – MPC 1.2 – Moderate encounters with 

other parties 

Local Adjustment for Weekends and Holidays Trails: 

High Uintas, Mount Naomi, Wellsville Mountain, 

and Deseret Peak Wildernesses – MPC 1.3 – 

Moderate encounters with other parties 

Local Adjustment for Weekends and Holidays Trails: 

Mt. Olympus, Twin Peaks, and Lone Peak 

Wildernesses – MPC 1.3 – High encounters with 

other parties (reason for high encounters is because 

access to a desired destination is on a cherry stem 

trail) 

Camp Spacing: MPC 1.2 - 1.3, High Uintas – Campsites 

should be no closer than 1⁄4 mile apart 

MPC 1.1, Mt. Olympus, Twin Peaks, Lone Peak, 

Deseret Peak and Mount Naomi Wildernesses – 

Campsites should be no closer than 1⁄2 mile apart 

MPC 1.2, Mt. Olympus, Twin Peaks, Lone Peak, 

Deseret Peak and Mount Naomi Wildernesses – 

Campsites should be no closer than 1⁄4 mile apart 

MPC 1.3, Mt. Olympus, Twin Peaks, Lone Peak, 

Deseret Peak and Mount Naomi Wildernesses – 

Campsites should be no closer than 100 feet apart 

Opportunities: Closeness to nature; self-reliance, high 

challenge and risk; little evidence of people off of 

trails 

Wilderness/Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D2 - 5

ROS DESCRIPTION 

CLASS Setting Characteristics Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized 

Physical 

Theme: 

Predominately a natural evolving /natural appearing 

landscape character with minimal rustic 

improvements to protect resources 

Infrastructure: 

Access – non-motorized trails are present 

closed and temporary roads may be present 

Fishing Sites – rivers, lakes, and reservoirs 

Camp/Picnic Sites – not developed, leave no trace 

Sanitation – no facilities, leave no trace 

Water Supply – undeveloped natural 

Signing – rustic constructed of natural materials 

Interpretation – through self discovery, at trailheads 

Physical 

Water Crossing – rustic structures or bridges made of natural 

materials 

Vegetation: 

Predominately natural, treatment areas exist to enhance 

forest health but are few and widely dispersed. 

Managerial Minimum or subtle signing and regulations, some encounters 

with rangers, motorized travel prohibited 

Social 

Off Trail System: Low encounter with other parties 

Trails: Low to Moderate encounters with other parties 

Local Adjustment: Some areas are adjacent to population 

centers and the sights and sounds of these 

communities could be evident 

Local Adjustments for Weekends and Holidays Trails: 

Check with local Ranger Districts for information on 

trails with High encounters with other parties 

Camp Spacing: Usually less than 6 parties visible from a 

campsite 

Opportunities: Closeness to nature, self-reliance high to 

moderate challenge and risk, some evidence of others 

Semi-Primitive 

Non-Motorized 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D2 - 6

ROS DESCRIPTION 

CLASS Setting Characteristics 

Physical 

Theme: 

Predominately a natural appearing landscape character with 

minimal improvements to protect resources 

Infrastructure: 

Access – motorized trails and primitive raods (maintenance 

level 2 roads) 

Fishing Sites – rivers, lakes, and reservoirs with some trails 

and primitive roads 

Camp/Picnic Sites – not developed, leave no trace, some 

identified concentrated use areas 

Sanitation – limited facilities, rustic, may have rustic 

outhouse available 

Water Supply – undeveloped natural, rustic developments 

Signing – rustic, made of natural materials 

Interpretation – self discovery, some located on site or at 

trailheads 

Water Crossing – rustic structures or bridges made of natural 

material, some designed for motorized use 

Vegetation: 

Treatment areas are very small in number, widely disbursed, 

and consistent with natural vegetation patterns. 

Managerial 

Minimum or subtle on-site controls with some restrictions, 

motorized and mechanized travel restricted to 

designated travel routes, no motorized or mechanized 

travel allowed off designated travel routes 

Social 

Motorized Travel Ways: Low to moderate contact 

frequency on loop travel ways, moderate contact 

frequency on cherry stem travel ways 

Local adjustment for Weekends and Holidays:

Check with local Ranger Districts for information on 

travel ways with High encounters with other parties 

Concentrated Use Sites: Low to moderate group and 

family interaction 

Opportunities: Closeness to nature, high degree of 

challenge and risk using motorized equipment, 

evidence of motorized equipment on trails and 

primitive roads, and by audible motor sounds 

Semi-Primitive Motorized 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D2 - 7

ROS DESCRIPTION 

CLASS Setting Characteristics 

Physical 

Theme: 

Predominately a natural appearing and developed natural 

appearing landscape character with nodes and 

corridors of development such as campgrounds, 

trailheads, boat launches, small-scale resorts, and 

recreation residences 

Infrastructure: 

Access – Roads (typically maintenance levels 3-5) and 

motorized and non-motorized trails 

Fishing Sites – rivers, lakes, reservoirs with some facilities 

Camp/Picnic Sites – concentrated use areas and developed 

sites 

Sanitation – developed outhouses that blend with natural 

setting 

Water Supply – often developed 

Signing – Rustic with natural materials to more refined using 

a variety of materials such as fiberglass, metal, etc. 

Interpretation – simple roadside signs, some interpretive 

programs 

Water Crossing – bridges generally constructed of natural 

materials 

Vegetation: 

Changes (treatments) to the natural vegetation patterns are 

evident, but in harmony with natural environment 

Managerial 

Opportunity to be with other users in developed sites, some 

obvious signs (information and regulation) and low to 

moderate likelihood of meeting Forest Service 

Rangers, motorized and mechanized travel restricted 

to designated routes, no motorized or mechanized 

travel allowed off designated travel routes 

Social 

Developed and Concentrated Use Areas: Moderate 

evidence of human sights and sounds

Travel Ways: Moderate to high sites and sounds of humans 

Opportunities: Moderate concentration of users at 

campsites, little challenge or risk 

Roaded Natural Rural 

Physical

Theme: 

Predominately a altered landscapes of developed natural 

appearing, resort natural setting and water recreation 

rural appearing with natural appearing backdrops, ski 

resorts, campgrounds, interpretive sites, marinas, boat 

launch, swimming beaches, trailheads and reservoirs 

Infrastructure: 

Access – roads (typically level 4 and 5) and trails are 

hardened 

Fishing Sites – some facility development 

Camp/Picnic Sites – designed for user comfort, natural to 

synthetic materials that blend with the natural 

environment, may have hookup amenities such as hot 

water, electricity, and sewage disposal sites 

Sanitation – developed, design for user comfort
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Wasatch-Cache National Forest D2 - 8

ROS DESCRIPTION 

CLASS Setting Characteristics 

Physical 

Water Supply – developed, designed for user convenience

Signing – rustic to highly designed that harmonizes 

with the landscape character 

Interpretation – complex roadside signs, some staffed 

facilities, visitor centers, and interpretive programs 

Water Crossing – bridges of varying size that are in harmony 

with the landscape 

Vegetation: 

Treatment areas often dominate, but blend with natural 

appearing landscape by utilizing lines , forms, colors, 

and textures of the surrounding natural landscape 

Managerial 

Obvious signing (regulation and information), education and 

law enforcement staff available, motorized and 

mechanized travel restricted to designated routes, no 

motorized or mechanized travel allowed off 

designated travel routes 

Rural 

Social 

Developed Use Areas and Travel Ways: High interaction 

among users is common 

Opportunities: Little challenge or risk associated with 

being in the outdoors 

Physical 

Theme: 

Predominately, heavy site modifications and facilities of 

resort natural setting and water recreation rural 

appearing with natural appearing backdrops; highly 

developed ski areas and resorts are examples of urban 

nodes within the National Forest system lands 

Infrastructure: 

Access – travel routes highly developed (typically levels 4 

and 5) for motorized use often with mass transit 

supplements available; trails are constructed for ease 

of movement; majority of routes are concrete, paved, 

or graveled 

Camp/Picnic Sites – developed and designed for user 

comfort, variety of construction materials used, 

campsites in close proximity to each other, nearby 

cafés and restaurants 

Sanitation – developed and designed for user comfort, most 

have running water 

Water Supply – developed and designed for user comfort, 

many have hot water available 

Signing – natural and synthetic materials appropriate 

Interpretation – exhibits in staffed visitor centers, roadside 

exhibits, etc. 

Water Crossing – bridges constructed of a variety of 

materials, design for user convenience and safety 

Vegetation: 

Often planted, manicured and maintained 

Urban 

Managerial 

Intensive on-site management obvious signs and staffing, 

education and law enforcement available; motorized 

and mechanized travel restricted to designated routes; 

no motorized or mechanized travel allowed off 

designated travel routes 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D2 - 9

ROS DESCRIPTION 

CLASS Setting Characteristics 

Social Developed Areas: Opportunity to be with others; high 

degree of interaction with people 

Urban 

Social 

Opportunities: Challenge and risk are unimportant 

except for competitive sports