Mountain Loop Highway May Stay Closed

Gamuru · 05-10-2011, 07:16 AM

I'm a little behind on getting this request posted.

As many of you that ride the Mountain Loop Highway may know, it's been closed at Red Bridge since January because of a slide. Snohomish County was working to reopening it, but had to pull off because funding fell through. There's a meeting today between the County and the Federal Government to try to secure emergency road repair funds. I've been asked by members of both Forestry and County Road Maintenance to send in emails to Owen Carter asking him to reopen the road. Mr. Carter can then use these emails when he goes to his meeting today at 11:30. If we can get these to him by 10:30 I think we'll be in good shape.

Here's a copy of what I sent:

May 10, 2011

Don V. Bangert, III,

Granite Falls NAPA
319 West Stanley Street
Granite Falls, WA 98252

Dear Mr. Owen Carter,

I am writing to you on behalf of the hiking and recreational motoring communities that utilize the Mountain Loop Highway to access recreational areas in the Darrington Ranger District. As a member of NWHikers.net I am very aware the impact this closure has had on our members. Many have already had to cancel their outdoor winter activities simply because the distance involved in accessing the snow park area at Deer Creek was just too much. Working in the only auto parts store in Granite Falls and being a member of KLR650.net (a dual sport riding club) and PNWRiders.com (a motorcycling forum), I've heard firsthand and spoken to many members of these local clubs. Like the hiking community, they also feel cutoff. As I'm sure you are aware, many people turn to low-cost camping as a vacation alternative in a down economy. I fear that with the limited campsites now available because of the closure, conflicts among users will be on the rise.

Back in January of 2011, the Mountain Loop Highway was closed due to a massive slide. Access to Silverton, the Big Four Ice Caves (which attracts 50,000+ users per year), hiking trails along Deer Creek Road, Sunrise Mine Road, as well as destinations up to and beyond Monte Cristo were cut off. The loss of these recreational areas is a huge hit to the hiking community. To reach the nearest access road, Deer Creek Road, requires a hike of nearly five miles on pavement from the closure barricade at Red Bridge, not to mention countless Forest Service roads that are no longer accessible for recreational motorized use. As a member of the Granite Falls business community, a member of the active hiking and recreational vehicle community, and a resident that lives just off the Mountain Loop Highway I request that you make every effort to reopen the Mountain Loop Highway as soon as possible so that we may once again enjoy our public lands.

Thank you for considering my request. Please contact me for any details.

Yours sincerely,

Don V. Bangert, III,

13330 226th Ave NE
Granite Falls, WA 98252
WK: 360-691-7787
HM: 360-691-4156

Plagiarize at will, but get those letters sent. Tell your friends, too.

Thanks!

koorbloh · 05-10-2011, 07:25 AM

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooo!

I'll send an email right quick!

Mic · 05-10-2011, 07:34 AM

I am about to go into meetings for the next 3 hours... If someone can write up a good "canned" letter to send, I'll send it from my email.

I too enjoy the Mountain Loop area for multiple recreational activities such as motoring, hiking, camping and finding precious metals (LOL).

This will really dig into using it as a close getaway for a day or two.

koorbloh · 05-10-2011, 07:40 AM

mic, mine's a little more canned for you:

May 10, 2011

Jeffery P Holbrook

xxxx
xxxx

Dear Mr. Owen Carter,

I am writing to you on behalf of the hiking and recreational motoring communities that utilize the Mountain Loop Highway to access recreational areas in the Darrington Ranger District. As an avid outdoorsman, I, and many others, have been displaced from our local forest. Without access to these areas, and because of rising gas prices, the cost of access is rising prohibitively. This closure has already caused many winter and spring plans to be changed, or even cancelled. I'm sure you are aware, many people turn to low-cost camping as a vacation alternative in a down economy. I fear that with the limited access now available because of the closure, conflicts among users will be on the rise.

Back in January of 2011, the Mountain Loop Highway was closed due to a massive slide. Access to Silverton, the Big Four Ice Caves (which attracts 50,000+ users per year), hiking trails along Deer Creek Road, Sunrise Mine Road, as well as destinations up to and beyond Monte Cristo were cut off. The loss of these recreational areas is a huge hit to the hiking community. To reach the nearest access road, Deer Creek Road, requires a hike of nearly five miles on pavement from the closure barricade at Red Bridge, not to mention countless Forest Service roads that are no longer accessible for recreational motorized use. As someone who has been displaced, I request that you make every effort to reopen the Mountain Loop Highway as soon as possible so that we may once again enjoy our public lands.

Thank you for considering my request. Please contact me for any details.

Yours sincerely,

Jeffery P. Holbrook

Mic · 05-10-2011, 07:49 AM

Thanks Jeff, I copy, pasted, and sent!

Gamuru · 05-10-2011, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by koorbloh

mic, mine's a little more canned for you:

Very nice!

Suezuki · 05-10-2011, 07:53 AM

message sent, it would be a shame to see this beautiful highway and all the recreational areas attached to it essentially closed. Without access even for a year, trails will fall into disuse and be reclaimed by nature. Should they reopen it at a later time many of the forest roads and trails will have to be completely redone, costing more in the long run. Fingers crossed that they fix the highway!

Mae · 05-10-2011, 08:20 AM

Done.

theJrod · 05-10-2011, 08:24 AM

I wonder if a courageous and determined dual sport rider to navigate past the slide and still access the aforementioned areas?

koorbloh · 05-10-2011, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by theJrod

I wonder if a courageous and determined dual sport rider to navigate past the slide and still access the aforementioned areas?

not sure how the snow looks from that side past silverton, the rangers had a doom and gloom story a couple weeks ago.

the biggest issue is the tickets they are writing as fast as they can to non-residents

Gamuru · 05-10-2011, 09:28 AM

Thanks, all, for participating.

Thumperpilot · 05-10-2011, 09:36 AM

Sent.

Jalharad · 05-10-2011, 10:00 AM

owen.carter@co.snohomish.wa.us is his actual e-mail for those who dont have outlook setup (or know how to get the address off the link)

YotaSupra · 05-10-2011, 10:31 AM

Pumbaa · 05-10-2011, 06:43 PM

rowlex · 05-10-2011, 08:48 PM

like that road.

here's what i sent

hey. you got to keep that road open so i can get to big 4 and the camping areas.

(mt loop highway)

HueJass · 05-23-2011, 10:41 AM

Just checked the SnoCo site, it stated they resumed work 5-16, work to be at least 4 weeks. So probably 6-15'ish until done. We should setup a meet at Big4 or some other place once this opens..... Psyched to ride up there. One of my favorite rides.

HueJass · 06-01-2011, 06:54 AM

Just found this on a Darrington site.... looks like it's Loop time!!! Maybe heading to Big4 Sunday....

http://www.darringtonwatourism.com/a...highwayreopens

koorbloh · 06-01-2011, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by HueJass

Just found this on a Darrington site.... looks like it's Loop time!!! Maybe heading to Big4 Sunday....

http://www.darringtonwatourism.com/a...highwayreopens

old news homie!

I went and checked it out on Monday. It's still gated at Deer Park. Ice Caves are within easy walking distance. Ranger said another month before it would be a loop again.

HueJass · 06-01-2011, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by koorbloh

old news homie!

I went and checked it out on Monday. It's still gated at Deer Park. Ice Caves are within easy walking distance. Ranger said another month before it would be a loop again.

Oooooops.... readers read! I didn't read to the last part. If it says it's open, one would think it was open. Not it's open here to here, but not there to there. Dam bozos! Love Gov't. NOT! Oh well.... a couple more weeks!!! Snow should melt a lot this weekend.


05-10-2011, 07:25 AM	#2
koorbloh Je Fa Fa Joined: Mar 2007 From: Monroe-mish, WA Blog Entries: 5 I Ride: 07 YZ450F, 74 XL350, 78 CB400	nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooo! I'll send an email right quick! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-10-2011, 07:34 AM	#3
Mic Retired Joined: May 2007 From: Between Bellevue, Wa and Hood River, Or Blog Entries: 26 I Ride: a KLR 650, and an XT 225	I am about to go into meetings for the next 3 hours... If someone can write up a good "canned" letter to send, I'll send it from my email. I too enjoy the Mountain Loop area for multiple recreational activities such as motoring, hiking, camping and finding precious metals (LOL). This will really dig into using it as a close getaway for a day or two. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-10-2011, 07:49 AM	#5
Mic Retired Joined: May 2007 From: Between Bellevue, Wa and Hood River, Or Blog Entries: 26 I Ride: a KLR 650, and an XT 225	Thanks Jeff, I copy, pasted, and sent! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-10-2011, 07:53 AM	#7
Suezuki Pit Crew Joined: May 2008 From: Camano Island I Ride: NX 250 GS550(1980) GS650(1981)	message sent, it would be a shame to see this beautiful highway and all the recreational areas attached to it essentially closed. Without access even for a year, trails will fall into disuse and be reclaimed by nature. Should they reopen it at a later time many of the forest roads and trails will have to be completely redone, costing more in the long run. Fingers crossed that they fix the highway! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-10-2011, 08:20 AM	#8
Mae Novice Racer Joined: Apr 2007 From: Snohomish, WA I Ride: piggie and emo	Done. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-10-2011, 08:24 AM	#9
theJrod Racer Extraordinaire Joined: Feb 2006 From: Marysville, WA I Ride: w/ Optimum Performance Rider Training	I wonder if a courageous and determined dual sport rider to navigate past the slide and still access the aforementioned areas? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-10-2011, 09:28 AM	#11
Gamuru Big Brother Joined: Jan 2008 From: Granite Falls, WA Blog Entries: 220 I Ride: 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Maxim, 1988 Kawasaki KLR650	Thanks, all, for participating. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-10-2011, 09:36 AM	#12
Thumperpilot Licensed Joined: Jun 2009 From: b'ham, WA I Ride: when I'm not walking!	Sent. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-10-2011, 10:00 AM	#13
Jalharad Shredder Joined: Jul 2007 From: Bellingham, Washington I Ride: like its the last chance ever!	owen.carter@co.snohomish.wa.us is his actual e-mail for those who dont have outlook setup (or know how to get the address off the link) __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-10-2011, 10:31 AM	#14
YotaSupra Shredder Joined: Feb 2008 From: MLT I Ride: Scooter	done __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-10-2011, 06:43 PM	#15
Pumbaa Chicken Strips Joined: Sep 2006 From: Des Moines, WA Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: 2006 Hyosung Comet GT650	Sent __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


05-23-2011, 10:41 AM	#17
HueJass Joined: Dec 2010 From: Sno County, WA I Ride: Ruckus / Agility 125 / CB750A	Just checked the SnoCo site, it stated they resumed work 5-16, work to be at least 4 weeks. So probably 6-15'ish until done. We should setup a meet at Big4 or some other place once this opens..... Psyched to ride up there. One of my favorite rides. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


06-01-2011, 06:54 AM	#18
HueJass Joined: Dec 2010 From: Sno County, WA I Ride: Ruckus / Agility 125 / CB750A	Just found this on a Darrington site.... looks like it's Loop time!!! Maybe heading to Big4 Sunday.... http://www.darringtonwatourism.com/a...highwayreopens __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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