Decommisioning the Koshko Sno-Park

Sno-Parks in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
On 3rd December 2007, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest (GPNF) hosted an "open house" to solicit feedback on its Recreation Facility Analysis Plan. The Plan includes proposals to decommission and close several of its developed recreation facilities.

The facility of most concern to us is the Koshko Sno-Park. This is the Sno-Park located between Old Man Pass and McClellan Meadows Sno-Parks in the Upper Wind River Recreation Area. The GPNF plans to "decommission" the Koshko Sno-Park. Decommission means that the GPNF will remove existing structures (toilet, signboard) and let the area revert to its natural state.

Why did GPNF pick Koshko for decommissioning? ONC Nordic Issues Chair Louise Brown was told that since there are three Sno-Parks in the vicinity and since Koshko gets the least use, it was a target for decommissioning. Brown also asked what it would take to keep the Sno-Park open, and was told that if a group of people were interested in cleaning out the toilet, the GPNF would reconsider its proposal.

The Portland Chapter Board will be considering this issue. Comments are due by January 31. To learn more, go to http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/04projects/rfa.shtml.


Sketch map showing location of Koshko Sno-Park


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