One of the coolest parts about living in the West is each state's propensity to close mountain highways during winter. That may sound like a weird perk given fewer roads means more people on others, which would likely cause traffic, and traffic ain't fun.
But fewer open roads also means the best roads, the mountain roads, the roads we all love as motorcyclists are free from salt, from torn concrete from plows, and free from icing over and causing issues in spring. So once the snow melts, the pavement is perfect. Unlike California where upheavals, salting, and plowing tears up some of the best ribbons of tarmac around.
It also means that snowmobilers can access those same roads, though atop snow and ice instead of pavement. And, usually, it's safer to do so as these roads are groomed and easier to traverse than say your backcountry jaunts. Ask me how I know...
Yet, this year, the good folks over in Oregon may or may not have access to one of their beloved snowmobile routes. Why the confusion? Well, because the state's Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued vague language on the McKenzie Pass Scenic Highway. Language that's thrown many for a loop, including the US Forest Service which manages part of the area.
Ahead of the winter season, ODOT has stated that McKenzie Pass Highway 242 will be closed to all, not just the cars it normally closes the roads for. The new guidance includes snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, hikers, and bicyclists, all of whom have enjoyed recreating along the highway over the last several decades. But rather than make an official ruling, one set with regulations prohibiting travel, along with new signage and enforcement, ODOT is telling everyone that it's closed, but those who do use the highway "do so at their own risk."
Um, what?
The confusion becomes even murkier as the US Forest Service manages a portion of the area where the highway bisects, but hadn't been made aware of any new guidance from the state. Indeed, according to The Statesman Journal which spoke with the US Forest Service, it was under the assumption that it would remain closed for cars and trucks, but that skiers, snowmobilers, and others would still have access.
The outlet also spoke to ODOT's Mindy McCartt, who stated the agency's position, but one that makes zero sense. "We are asking people to make the right choice and the safe choice and not go into a closed area. The road is not plowed. There’s no cell service. There’s no resources and it’s extremely difficult for search and rescue to reach anybody that needs help. (In the spring), we have crews and heavy equipment up there reopening the road. It’s not a safe area when it’s closed," she told the paper.
But everyone already knew that the roads weren't plowed, which is why snowmobilers and cross-country skiers use it. In fact, both Oregon and local towns have used the road's winter closure to attract visitors and tourists and boost local economies.
And again, according to The Statesman Journal, ODOT says though the road is closed and considered off-limits to the public in the agency's eyes, it won't ask Oregon's Sheriffs or other law enforcement to enforce its guidance or cite individuals who use the highway to recreate, i.e. snowmobilers, hikers, and cross-country skiers. Huh? How the hell does that make any sense? Well, it makes even less sense as it's the local snowmobile club who grooms the trail both for snowmobile access as well as those not dabbling in mechanized travel. And they weren't informed either.
Neither were a lot of others who benefited from the road's winter closure. ODOT just...did it. Sort of.
ODOT told the outlet that this guidance had been up for the past five years, and it does appear that the agency recently changed its website to instruct people against going onto the highway when it's closed. But locals say that's new and that not a single person from ODOT communicated this in recent years. Rather, it was sprung on them without notice or public comment.
All said and done, if you're an Oregonian snowmobiler who has used the McKenzie Pass in recent years, you might not be able to this year. Or maybe you can? Honestly, I don't think anyone's really sure. And who can blame them?
