Lyle Access?

MW · Since 09 Jan 2006 186 Posts Hood River, Oregon Stoked

Heard that Lyle was closed currently because of waterfowl protection, but drove on I-84 today and saw two kites up, so what is the story on it?

Chooch · Sun Mar 22, 09 8:29 pm

Forrest just thinks he's special Razz

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Mar 22, 09 9:18 pm

I dunno, just to be on the safe side you may want to steer clear.

MW · Since 09 Jan 2006 186 Posts Hood River, Oregon Stoked

If it is closed, then we should all steer clear of it so we don't lose access. How can we get an update on status, or are the specified dates to when you can kite it?

forrest · Sun Mar 22, 09 9:33 pm

The USFS considers it a closed natural preserve and you can be fined for trespassing.

snowmeltriver · Since 21 May 2006 102 Posts Little Kentucky Stoked

Lyle is closed until the end of April. This was also true last year and it has largely been ignored by early season kiters. The beach is protected for birds- eagle and waterfowl I think. Please do not abuse this...we already have enough problems with the RR. As a reminder, we lost the SS because of folks ignoring signage...we cannot afford another the loss of a quality site. I'm not sure if Lyle has signs this year. It did last year and I personally know of certain kiters kicking the sign over and pretending not to see it. Hmmm. I suppose you can kite the river at that mile, but beach access is closed. A really great option this time of the year is Mosier. The windsurfers are not out yet and the launch is quite friendly. Mid summer its way too crowded though and some of the locals really don't like kiters there.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Mar 23, 09 3:41 pm

I like turtles

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Mar 23, 09 3:54 pm

turtles are neat

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

forrest · Mon Mar 23, 09 4:24 pm

Listen man, I was just stating what I was told by the USFS, that its closed year-round. You want to bitch at someone, bitch at the people who continue to park on the south side of highway 14.

MW · Since 09 Jan 2006 186 Posts Hood River, Oregon Stoked

Basically, keep it on the dl and don't talk about it.

wylieflyote · Mon Mar 23, 09 4:26 pm

Can't we all just get along?

My personal policy with Lyle is to kite there as much as I want. But to stay away from the RR tracks as much as possible. Of course I cross them, but I get down the hill and out of the way as quick as possible. Didn't any of you ever sneak into movies or concerts? Ya don't hang around the ticket booth after sneaking in.

I know I'm naive, but I'm only hoping that if we stay low key and don't hover around the tracks it might last another summer. Last July the BNR maintenance truck raced up to the crossing in a big rush not because there were kiters on the beach, but kiters lingering around the tracks. They're just doing their job.

Oh and the first thing I do at Lyle is the first thing I do at the sand spit, launch and get out of there quick to some place up river.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Mar 23, 09 4:30 pm

are there turtles at Lyle?

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Mar 23, 09 4:32 pm

I'm not sure where Lyle is?

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

I'm torn with how I should feel about Lyle.
I really want to kite there, but access and preservation are important and I will forgo Lyle at risk of the situation becoming worse.
the last thing I would want is to have a spot closed because myself and friends went there.
so as a frequent visitor to the gorge, I want to understand and respect the spots there.
I, as well as so many other kiteboarders who live outside the gorge area, want to understand the "official" communication from the CGKA.
This will help me make my decision on whether to try kiting there or not.
For now, I don't think I want to play a part in it due to the consequences and reactions of the different agencies and the local kiters.
I have always stayed away from Lyle due to the sensitive nature of the railroad/widllife/parking/etc..