[treeswarper]

This is a great idea! The library at Randle is well used and puts on lots of neat programs for adults and kids. They do need a bigger building! Here's what's going on. Maybe more libraries will do something similar. From the Mountain View library facebook page: ( You'll have to imagine the picture that went along with it showing the backpack with stuff spewing out.) Did you know?: There are now HIKING BACKPACKS available to check out from the library!! These are children's day packs (from REI!! - working on getting adult-sized ones) that you can check out for up to 3 weeks! They are loaded with goodies, most importantly A NORTHWEST FOREST PASS!!! Yes, for those of you that can't afford the daily or annual fee to park at some of our popular trailheads (Packwood Lake, Windy Ridge, Woods Creek etc). NOW YOU CAN CHECK OUT A FOREST PASS WITH YOUR LIBRARY CARD! There are 4 total backpacks available, two here in Randle and two at the Packwood Timberland Library.

[MyFootHurts]

NW Forest passes are NON-TRANSFERABLE i.e. this an illegal activity And if someone can't afford the $5 for the daily pass, they should be working instead of traipsing about in the woods with a stolen pass on hanging on their rearview mirror. USFS is severely underfunded (as many here constantly point out) and all users need to pay their fair share. ETA: I just reported them to GPNF. Awaiting their response.

[Opus]

From their Facebook page: "We have a total of 4 backpacks. Two at our location (Mountain View Timberland Library in Randle) and two at the Packwood Timberland Library. All materials were provided from a grant that the Gifford Pinchot National Forest received with the exception of the NW Forest Passes which were purchased by the Friends of the Packwood Timberland Library." The pass they show in the photo has the library name on it and some sort of code written into the license plate area. Sounds like they've already worked this out with the Forest Service.

[treeswarper]

Yup. They worked with the Forest Service previously to have an event at Woods Creek. Here's the post for that. Join Mountain View Timberland Library staff and US Forest Service rangers to celebrate the creation of TRL StoryTrail along the lower loop of Woods Creek Trail #247: a partnership project bringing literacy to the trails. More than a dozen stops along this TRL StoryTrail will feature informational facts and fun from the book "The Big Woods Orchestra" by Guido van Genechten. Enjoy this interactive adventure all summer long! I miss that little library. They have a great staff and work hard to bring events to tiny Randle.

[Washakie]

Not only does he have a sore foot. His brain has traded places with his rear end.

[AlpineRose]

[jinx'sboy]

There are many programs, with the various agencies that participate in the NW Forest Pass, where by an administrative pass is made available to help low income folks and others without good access to public lands get into the outdoors. It is a well established use. Perfectly ‘legal’.