To Hike or Not to Hike: COVID-19 Trail Updates

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s executive order in light of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic outbreak

On March 19, blue skies and warm sun greeted the state as the first day of beautiful spring came in Oregon – tempting people out to do outdoor activities such as hiking trails, going to beaches, snowy mountains and waterfalls.

A week later, all outdoor recreation in Oregon had closed, including every national forest, all state parks, most national parks and a growing number of local parks across the state as officials responded to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and a population that just couldn’t stay away from nature.

The closures coincided with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s executive order banning all nonessential travel outside the home until further notice. The order also shut down playgrounds and closed all public and private campgrounds in the state.

“If we all do it we can save lives,” Brown said on a press call Monday afternoon.

The governor instructed people to stay home except when traveling for essential work, buying food and similar critical supplies or returning to their own homes. Recreational travel is now forbidden by law because that brought swarms of Oregonians to the coast last weekend in defiance of the governor’s earlier directive.

People should only engage in activities outside their home, the governor said, if they can maintain a six-foot distance from others to avoid spread of the virus. Walking, running and hiking are fine, according to the announcement, but not parties or other celebrations.

LOVE HIKING? HERE’S A LIST OF TRAILS OPEN (WITH PHYSICAL DISTANCING RULES)

A couple of teens doing biking as their recreational activity.

• Bureau of Land Management – Many BLM-managed trailheads, trails and open spaces remain accessible across Oregon. State parks are closed.
• Oregon State Parks – Larkspur Trail in coordination with Bend Park and Recreation District is open. State parks are closed.
• Bend Park and Recreation District – Natural areas, open park space and trails while maintaining at least 6 feet between people is allowed.Off-leash dog areas, picnic shelters and restrooms remain open. State parks are closed.
• City of Redmond Parks – Natural areas, open park space and trails while maintaining at least 6 feet between people is allowed. State parks are closed.
• City of Madras – Trails are open with physical distancing rules. State parks are closed.
• Crook County Parks and Rec District – Trails are open with physical distancing rules. State parks are closed.

BENEFITS OF BEING OUTDOORS

Bend is such an active, outdoorsy community! It’s hard to balance our need for physical and mental health under these restrictions.

A hiker rests at the top of Cape Falcon, part of Oswald West State Park on the northern Oregon coast. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Mental health experts recommend fresh air and time in nature, but this must be balanced with the physical distancing mandated by the state-wide executive order to stay home. Central Oregonians are encouraged to take this opportunity to explore the nature close to home, especially when it can be done without adding to parking lot congestion at popular destinations.

As temperatures are forecast to climb this week, Central Oregonians should be aware of outdoor recreation opportunities and follow orders regarding closures and restrictions in place to reduce personal exposure to COVID-19 and to protect first responders.

SOCIAL DISTANCING ETIQUETTE: 6 TIPS ON STAYING 6 FEET APART WHILE OUTSIDE

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread in Oregon, and residents continue to hunker down at home, people are finding solace in walks or runs at local parks and trails close to home.

On Monday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced a new executive order that bans all non-essential travel, but still allows people to leave their homes to get outside for exercise or a breath of fresh air.

As people begin to abide by the latest change in social norms, new behaviors are necessary to ensure the public health and safety of the community. For those venturing outside their homes during the outbreak, here’s an infographics about six tips to help you keep six feet from everyone else:

Should you still go hiking or should you just stay at home?

The virus has been found to survive on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for two to three days, but it doesn’t hang around for more than a few hours as droplets in the air. Albert Ko, a Yale epidemiologist, told NPR last week that the better airflow outdoors reduces the risk of transmission — so long as people exercising outside keep at least 6 feet away from each other.

To help facilitate this, Lee Jacobson, who founded the 131,000-member Facebook group Washington Hikers and Climbers, says his group is trying to discourage people from congregating on the area’s most popular trails. Jacobson says he’s been getting up to 30 times as many private messages as usual asking about hiking guidelines or sharing photos of overly busy trailheads.

“It’s complicated by the fact that, in some sense, hiking is probably good for you right now,” Jacobson says. “It’s not good to be cooped up indoors all the time, from a mental health perspective.”

But after successive weekends of crowds on popular trails, Jacobson explains that the group has gotten more serious about its recommendations. On March 22, Jacobson and the other admins stopped allowing anyone to solicit ideas for hikes on the page, and they’re considering a moratorium on all posts showing or discussing anyone hiking anywhere in Washington.

“At this time, we implore you, unless you are absolutely certain you can find a location to hike where you can practice strict ‘social distancing’ protocol, please stay at home or in your neighborhoods,” they wrote Sunday.

“Even if you can find a location that is empty or near-empty, consider staying home anyway.”

Maintaining social distance can be tough, but it is very essential most especially with the pandemic we are experiencing right now. If you cannot follow this simple protocol, then staying at home is the best option for you.