DNR temporarily closes portion of Northwest Timber Trail in Tiger Mountain

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today closed a portion of the Northwest Timber Trail due to a timber harvesting operation in the area. The timber harvest will generate revenue to support K-12 school construction, Capitol campus construction, and county services.

The Cougit timber sale closes about 1.5 miles of the trail, starting about .4 miles in from the western (trailhead) side. DNR has posted signs rerouting users from the Eastside (7000) Road to the Power Line Road, which connects to the western end of the Northwest Timber Trail.

DNR urges recreationists in the area to use caution and be aware of heavy equipment and truck traffic. The agency also recommends avoiding the rerouted area during weekdays, when truck traffic is at its heaviest.

The area’s non-motorized, multiple-use trails (Preston, Iverson, and Northwest Timber) are closed seasonally to hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use from October 15 through April 15. The temporary closure of Northwest Timber Trail will last through the remainder of the season and will open again in April.

A map showing the location of the timber sale and trails is at:

For more information about the trail closure and detour, contact Sam Jarrett, Recreation Manager with DNR’s South Puget Sound Region, at 206-375-0448 or sam.jarrett@dnr.wa.gov .

Recreation on DNR-managed lands
DNR manages more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, aquatic, agricultural, conservation and urban lands. Most recreation on these lands takes place in the 2.1 million acres of forests that DNR manages as state trust lands. By law, DNR manages state trust lands to produce income for schools, universities, prisons, state mental hospitals, community colleges, local services in many counties, and the state’s general fund. State trust lands are also managed to provide fish and wildlife habitat and educational and recreational opportunities.

DNR-managed lands provide a variety of landscapes throughout Washington State. Recreational opportunities include hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping, motorized vehicle riding, mountain biking, and boating.

DNR’s main recreation focus is to provide trails, trailhead facilities, and a primitive experience in a natural setting.