Umatilla National Forest
Winter Sports
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport that can be enjoyed almost anywhere, by anyone. Any area with minimal snow cover and moderately sloped ground can be a cross-country skier's playground. Equipment for this sport is relatively inexpensive or can be rented from major sporting goods stores.
Although designated, marked trails are scarce on the Umatilla National Forest, many opportunities are available for the cross-country ski enthusiast. A variety of landscapes await skiers, from dense forest canopy to wide open prairie. Many roads that are closed during the winter months allow skiers to explore the Forest in winter. These roads are used by snowmobiles as well, so caution while skiing is advised.
Future plans on the Forest include expanding existing trail systems and adding additional areas. Designated trails are marked with blue diamond-shaped markers and primarily follow existing roads. Most designated routes are suitable for beginning and intermediate skiers.
Horseshoe Prairie
This trail system is located 7 miles south of Tollgate, Oregon on the west side of Oregon State Highway 204. The 7 miles of marked trail maintain an average elevation of 5,000 feet.
The area is located off Oregon State Highway 204 approximately 2 6 miles east of Weston, Oregon and 14 miles northwest of Elgin, Oregon.
Horseshoe Prairie provides an opportunity for nordic skiing on a marked, ungroomed trail system. Currently, there are about 6 miles or 10 kilometers of marked trail. Additional marked trails are planned in the future. Snowmobile use is not prohibited in Horseshoe Prairie but is discouraged within the nordic area. In case of an emergency, a telephone is located at the Spout Springs Ski Resort approximately 4 miles west of Horseshoe Prairie.
Spout Springs
Spout Springs Resort offers almost 10 miles of groomed, marked nordic trails. A nominal fee is charged for use of the trail system.
Sno-Park Permits
Oregon and Washington states require Sno-Park permits in winter sports areas and both states honor either permit. Proceeds from the sale of permits is used to plow roads and parking areas. Permits are available for the entire season or on a daily basis. There are several Sno-Park areas on the Umatilla National Forest including 5 areas along Oregon State Highway 204, Touchet Corral Sno-Park on Forest Road 64, and the Four-Corners Sno-Park on Oregon State Highway 244.
Winter Safety
Harsh winter weather conditions of wind, cold, and snow can turn a weekend outing into tragedy. Knowledge of the area, weather, route, and limitations of your body and equipment - plus a little common sense - can ensure a safe and enjoyable outing.
Be sure to notify a responsible person of your planned route of travel and mark it on a map. Give them your planned time of departure and return and be sure to check back with them when you return.
Be aware of the dangers of hypothermia. Lowering of the internal temperature of the body leads to mental and physical collapse. Hypothermia is caused by exposure to cold, and is aggravated by wet, wind, and exhaustion. It is the number one killer of outdoor recreationists.
The majority of hypothermia cases develop in air temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees. Most people simply do not understand that moderate temperatures can be dangerous and underestimate the danger of being wet at such temperatures. Cold, sopping wet clothes held against the body pull heat away, making 50 degree air temperature unbearably cold, possibly even fatal.
To help prevent and avoid tragedies, wear layers of clothing, which can be adjusted to prevailing conditions. Take extra socks and gloves, a warm cap, waterproofed matches, candle, firestarter, nylon cord, knife, high-energy food, plastic tarp, space blanket, signal mirror, duct tape and a first aid kit.
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