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Topic: New winter gate on Pilchuck Mtn road (Read 1374 times)
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Scole
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Posts: 164
WWW
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http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/news/2006/nr-snowplay-area-120806.shtml
NEW WINTER SNOW-PLAY AREA OPENS
Seasonal road closure effective December 11th
December 8, 2006
Darrington, WA – The Mt Pilchuck Road in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (Forest Service Road #42), located 13 miles east of Granite Falls, will be closed this winter to all motorized vehicles at the Heather Lake Trailhead, effective December 11th. The purpose of the seasonal road closure is to create a winter snow-play area for those folks wanting a place to snowshoe, sled or cross-country ski, and to avoid winter play activities mixed with motorized vehicles.
A NW Pass is required to park at the Heather Lake Trailhead. Passes are sold at Forest Service outlets, REI and other retail outdoor stores.
The 6.9-mile road terminates at the former Mt Pilchuck ski area parking lot (elevation 3100 feet). It has accumulated enough snow and ice to cause many vehicles, including four-wheel drive vehicles, to slide off the road and strand not only themselves, but to also block the road to other vehicles. During the Thanksgiving weekend, numerous motorists were rescued by Snohomish County Sheriff and Forest Service law enforcement staff.
“This is not an isolated incident,” said Mike Gardiner, Law Enforcement Officer for the Darrington Ranger District. “Last year, 66 vehicles were stuck on the Mt Pilchuck Road - in one weekend!”
Nearly a decade ago, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest designated the Mt Pilchuck Road a winter snow-play area for cross country skiers, snow shoe and sledding enthusiasts. A gate was installed at the Heather Lake Trailhead. Vandals eventually destroyed the gate and a nearby outhouse. Due to skinny budgets, the gate was not replaced until now.
To ease the seasonal impacts on Snohomish County Search and Rescue resources, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s office, four-by-four club members, Washington State Parks, and Forest Service personnel have collaborated to reduce the number of stranded vehicles on Mt Pilchuck Road, and to restore the winter snow-play area use.
Snowmobiles, 4x4 vehicles and quad-runners can use Forest Service Road #41 and adjacent spur roads for their winter fun.
A new gate has been installed just past the Heather Lake Trailhead at mile post 1.5. This will reclaim the winter snow-play area for non-motorized use. Snohomish County Sheriff and the Forest Service officers will be in the area to inform visitors of the new snow-play area designation.
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Self propelled
1Member
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Posts: 1
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Can anyone advise the latest on access to Pilchuck?
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climbinghighest
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Posts: 121
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Totally accessable, you'll just have to skin 6 miles of forest road before you get to the TH. The gate is locked at Heather Lake TH. If you do go, you might have to walk a little past the gate before you hit a continuous snowpack.
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jt
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Posts: 119
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As I understand from talking to those who have talked with the rangers (yes, I have a friend who has a friend who spoke to another friend...blah, blah, blah) the plan is to keep the gate locked until the road is snowfree to the trailhead. Apparently this is to create the winter recreation area as well as prevent idiots from getting their Geo Metros stuck in the snow, expecting the Forest Service to help pull them out, then being mad when the rednecks torch their abandoned vehicle. Also, the rangers have been none too happy about vandalism to the toilet at the TH in the early season as well as general abuse of the surrounding environs.
I know my friends and I are planning mt. bike rides to the snow then skinning from there. It'll add some time to the after work trips, but I guess the extra workout will be worth it to get the goods.
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jt
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climbinghighest
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Posts: 121
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The gate is now OPEN at Pilchuck. Roughly 6" to 8" of snow on the road but good tracks. Easily drivable in a truck, not so sure about a car though. Looks very nice, just drove up to recon since its close. I hope to make tracks there soon. There's plenty of snow.
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