Route Inventory Data Summaries: 7/12/05
Area: Dexter Canyon  
Observers: Chris Kassar & Mike Klapp  

Wild Horse Meadows Routes

            Quad:  Dexter Canyon
             Documentation on Maps/Guides:  

Route description:  Spur routes (N675, N27870, N2781, Z2673, Z2674, and N2841) off of Z153 that form a north and south loop through the meadow (Pictures 712003, 712004).

Narrative summary: Sandy and wide. Low to moderate use. Routes are not very clearly defined (Pictures 712009, 712010). Motorcycle, mountain bike, pedestrian and full-size vehicle tracks. Begins to pass through a meadow (Picture 712008), but then is closed to prevent further damage to the meadow (Picture 712006). Closure appears effective. Portion that crosses through the meadow leads to loss of vegetation and increased mud. Little to no vegetation in the center of the route; the meadow area where there is no route is densely vegetated. Camp site with fire ring (Picture 712007) and signs of wood harvesting present (Picture 712005). Lodgepole pine trees are dominant vegetation; grasses found along route. Significant potential for proliferation off of this route because it crosses through open country.  Deer seen on route.

Recommendation: The purpose of this route is unclear. There are signs that users come to the area to harvest wood and/or to camp. Most of this route is adjacent to the meadow and does not seem to cause direct resource damage to riparian habitat. The routes in the area are difficult to follow and may benefit from more clear designations (i.e. signing). It may be advisable to close these routes due to proliferation and potential for impacts on the meadow, they are not the highest priority in terms of resource damage.

Route Z707

            Quad:  Dexter Canyon
             Documentation on Maps/Guides:  

*shown as 4WD route

Route description:  Route begins south of Wild Horse Meadow off of Z153 and heads south and west following Dexter Canyon (Picture 712012).

Narrative summary: Sandy and steep, follows canyon (Picture 712013). Well defined route. Low to moderate use. Motorcycle and full-vehicle tracks. Little to no vegetation in the center of the route. Sagebrush and riparian vegetation (i.e., willows, aspens, cattails) are dominant vegetation (Picture 712015); yellow monkeyflower, sulfur buckwheat, lupine prevalent along route. Proliferation potential due to surrounding open terrain (Picture 712019). Turkey vulture, coyote scat, deer prints, yellow warbler and raven seen along route.

Route passes directly through critical riparian habitat with 2 creek crossings and 1 meadow crossing. Route Z707 crosses with Z2712 providing alternate, dry access to Crooked Meadows (Picture 712022).

Creek Crossing #1: Unstable because the banks of the creek are steep at the entrance and exit of the route from the creek allowing for erosion and sedimentation. 90 degree crossing with evidence that the crossing is increasing in size (Picture 712014). Width at the crossing is 3 feet. Width above and below is 2’ 8”. Water depth at crossing is 1 inch. In the crossing, there is emergent riparian vegetation (rushes, sedges, cattails) and significant aquatic insects, including leeches.

Creek Crossing #2:  Unstable, 90 degree crossing (Picture 712016). Width at the crossing is 8 feet. Width above and below is 29’ (Picture 712017). Water depth at crossing is 6 inches. There is emergent riparian vegetation (rushes, sedges, cattails) and significant aquatic insects in the crossing. There is a significant amount of gullying causing bank cut depths of 8 to 12 inches (Picture 712018). The potential for erosion, sedimentation and increased turbidity in the creek is great due to the gullying and because of the surrounding steep terrain allowing for run-off into the creek.

Meadow Crossing #1: Unstable, low angle (Picture 712021). Total length of the meadow crossing is 90 feet; 40 feet of that contains standing water. There is emergent riparian vegetation, including rushes and sedges, aquatic insects and Pacific Tree Frog tadpoles.  Whorled penstemon and killdeer present.    

Recommendation: Manage for non-motorized use from junction of Z707 with 01S17 to junction of Z707 with Z153. Making this route a hiking trail will decrease the current damage to critical riparian habitat. Consider developing a non motorized, non mechanized trail further down Dexter Canyon. If this is not possible, we recommend mitigating the creek crossings and meadow crossing, by developing alternative routes around these areas or closing them (i.e. creek crossing #2) completely.

 Route N683

            Quad:  Dexter Canyon
            Documentation on Maps and Guides:

Route description:  Route off of Z705 heading north.

Narrative summary: Undefined and difficult to find and follow. Low use. Full-size vehicle tracks. Sparse vegetation in the center of the route with a maximum height of 6 inches. Passes through lodgepole pine forest.  Significant proliferation off of route (Picture 712027). Ends abruptly (Picture 712028).

Recommendation: The purpose of this route is unclear. We recommend closing it and leaving it off of the inventory and designation because the route is unclear and is leading to a lot of proliferation of off-route tracks.  

Route N2788

            Quad:  Dexter Canyon
             Documentation on Maps/Guides:  

*only the first 1/4 mile is shown (as 4WD route)
 
Route description:  Spur off of the Ford Springs Road (Z713) heading south and east (Picture 712029).

Narrative summary: Not very well defined route. Low use. No recent tracks or sign of use. Significant vegetation in the center of the route with a maximum height of 1 ½ feet (Picture 712030). Sage brush and aspen are dominant vegetation. Bitterbrush, lupine, sego lily, paintbrush are abundant along the route. Deer tracks present.  Route deteriorates and ends (Picture 712031).

Recommendation: The purpose of this route is unclear. We recommend leaving it off of the inventory and designation because the route is unclear and appears to get little to no use.  

Main    Dexter Canyon map    Glass Mountain Map    River Springs Map    Glass Mountain Narrative    River Spring Narrative