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Topic: Henry Creek Parking US 2 (Jim Hill Access) (Read 1866 times)
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androolus
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Posts: 165
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I sent an email to the WSDOT about the parking for Jim Hill (Hell) at Henry Creek. Here is the response. >>>>
That parking area became a victim of its own popularity. WSDOT maintains that area for itself and the BNSF Railroad. That is employee parking for them and a turnaround area for our Stevens Pass snow plows. So many recreational users have been parking there, especially on weekends, this winter, that we couldn't use it to turn our trucks around. That is a safety and an efficiency issue that we couldn't solve short of closing the area to recreational users.
There isn't adequate space on the south side for a parking area and we don't have the manpower or the authorization to keep one open and maintained, if there were. We do maintain (for the USFS) the Bygone Byways parking for recreational parking and the Stevens Pass Nordic Area parking at Mill Creek is available (they maintain it). Niether, however is very convenient to Henry Creek. Sorry.
Feel free to contact me directly, if you have more questions or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Jeff Adamson
Communications Manager
WSDOT North Central Region
2830 Euclid Avenue Building B
PO Box 98
Wenatchee, WA 98807-0098
509.667.2815 office 509.669.8778 cell
adamsoj@wsdot.wa.gov
Here is the original email sent to WSDOT
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2007 1:35 PM
The parking area on US 2 near henry creek and the railroad ventilation fans has recently been closed. This is approximately 6 miles east of Stevens Pass. Why has it been closed and what can be done to allow skiers to park there? This has been a well established parking area for skiers for decades. If the currently plowed area is no longer viable, could the south side of US 2 be plowed or widened to allow access to henry creek during the winter?
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Charles
Administrator
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Posts: 1087
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Thanks for doing this androolus, though the news is not good.
Seems like the historical use of the ventilator parking should be of some value?
Does anyone know what the "Bygone Byways" parking is?
Would it be worth exploring with WSDOT the plowed side road that we used for parking on 2/28 (a few hundred yards west of ventilator parking, on the north side of hwy 2)? I don't know why this was plowed, or if it is kept plowed throughout the winter.
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wolfs
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Posts: 573
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"Bygone Byways" is a nearly useless nature trail type thing (even for people that like nature trails) that's about a mile West of the Nordic Center, but on the westbound side of the section where the highway is divided. It's probably at least 2 miles further to Smithbrook. I can't see any possible ski touring benefit of that parking, you are opposite the end of Nason Ridge but with an unbridged creek crossing in the way (and much simpler access to same place from Smithbrook anyways).
A while back, Wa State Parks was soliciting feedback on their Sno Parks program. Considering they basically took one away from us by privatizing Mill Creek, seems like they owe us one along the US 2 corridor. I'll see if I can find that email address for State Parks. Not clear where they could put a plowed lot in that area though, even a small one.
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philfort
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Posts: 605
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Seems like they could just cordon off the amount they need for employee parking and snow plow turn around, and let skiers have the rest.
I've never seen more than a handful of cars there in years past, and the space is huge. I guess since Paradise is closed this winter, everyone is heading there?
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androolus
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Posts: 165
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I sent Phil's suggestion to WSDOT but still no dice. They suggested that we get organized and contact the forest service. Here is the whole email trail:
>From: "Adamson, Jeff" <AdamsoJ@WSDOT.WA.GOV>
>To: "Andrew"
>Subject: RE: Henry Creek Parking
I'll pass along your solution, but as you pointed out, everyone
apparently found alternative parking - just not as convenient, so I
wouldn't hold my breath waiting for another sign change this season.
The meeting isn't till October, it's not a public meeting, and if I were
you, I wouldn't wait till then to get cross country skiers together with
the Forest Service. (Bear in mind that WSDOT has no authority/mandate
for recreation enhancements which means we can't spend gas tax money
[which supports the agency] to maintain recreation accesses. The Forest
Service, Park Dept., Counties-all have to reimburse WSDOT for clearing
accesses they want kept open in the winter.)
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 1:02 PM
To: Adamson, Jeff
Subject: RE: Henry Creek Parking
I think that most people will avoid parking in a tow away zone. All that
is needed is a sign stating "no parking west of here - tow away zone." I
would think that the current signage has already corrected the problem.
Everyone, that I've talked to, found another place to park when they saw
the new tow away signage. All that I am asking for is small change in
the signage.
Will it be possible for the public to attend the meeting with the forest
service?
>From: "Adamson, Jeff" <AdamsoJ@WSDOT.WA.GOV>
>To: "Andrew"
>Subject: RE: Henry Creek Parking
>Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:47:05 -0700
>
>Andrew,
> How would we control it? (Short of having somebody there to shoo
>out anyone trying to park there after the 3 "legal" spots were filled.)
>Our experience suggests that if it is open, that is, accessible - it
>will fill- regardless of any signage or restrictions. (Be honest now:
>If you showed up and saw the 3 designated spots full - Wouldn't you be
>tempted to park anyway since "it still looks like they've got plenty of
>room"...)
> The size of some of the vehicles is an issue, too. Even 2 or 3
>motor homes could wreck the plan.
> We meet with the Forest Service and all the other agencies and
>businesses involved about Stevens Pass issues every year and this will
>be on the agenda-maybe somebody has a solution we haven't thought of.
>For now, I guess the only positive thing I can say is that it's quickly
>becoming spring and the issue will become hiker parking!
> Keep in touch.
>Jeff Adamson
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Andrew
>Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 3:19 PM
>To: Adamson, Jeff
>Subject: RE: Henry Creek Parking
>
>I wanted to ask about another suggestion. What is the possibility of
>opening
>2 or 3 parking spots at the Henry Creek location to skiers? Perhaps at
>the far east end of the wide spot. Hopefully this would allow enough
>room for employee parking and snowplow turnaround.
>
>Also this year has been unusual because of the closure of Mt Rainier
>National Park. I'm sure it has contributed to the increased number of
>recreational users of henry creek.
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juan
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Posts: 218
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The email in the message indicates a meeting in Ocober. Any news on the outcome?
Thanks to Andrew for keeping an eye on this-
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