[RodF]

On May 10, USFS removed the Lena Creek footlog, located on the northwest shore of Lena Lake. Hikers wishing to continue to the campsites above the north shore, or further to the Valley of the Silent Men up The Brothers Trail and climbing route, will have to ford Lena Creek (now about knee deep at its mouth) or search upstream for a windfall log to cross. No replacement has been decided, nor will it be available this year nor likely next year. I am very sorry to report this, as it will inconvenience many and sure isn't my idea of "caring for the land and serving people".

[Stephen B]

Was was the log removed? was it damaged?

[mountainflamingo]

It was in tact, but rotated and with some additional obstacles...passable but scary. This was May 6

[bobbi]

thanks, RodF yep, ONF, ONP ... don't fix or replace whatever because heaven forbid, folks may want to visit our forests/park, you know, National Parks: America's Best Idea? good luck getting to where you want to go! hikers/climbers may step on some endangered rock! enough ranting, ha

[HermitThrush]

Oh well. Makes things more adventurous. Yeah baby!

[Jaberwock]

Glad it's gone!

[ranger rock]

Wow, my oldest daughter hated that log, even aborted a trip due to it. I don't think she will miss it at all. I will miss it though. Kinda surprised they won't replace it, so many people go there.

[MyFootHurts]

They really don't want commoners in the king's forest. They can't come right out and ban everyone from entering, so they just let all the roads and trails deteriorate to the point people stay away. Budgets and the environment are their typical excuses.

[RodF]

WTA and BCHW were asked to look at this damaged footlog earlier this spring. Their proposal was to place the existing footlog onto a new sill or gabions and repair its railing to continue to provide access, realizing it might only survive a year or two until a long term alternative is found. USFS determined the existing footlog was unsafe, and cut it in two. No replacement plan has been decided on (let alone funded). Everyone realizes a footlog at this site will not be permanent, but alternative sites will require far longer bridges. This trail is very popular and access to campsites on the north shore which help disperse campers so the west shore is not so badly overused. Two pit latrines are needed at Lena Lake to reduce visitor impacts, and one of these should be near those north shore campsites. This footlog also provides access to The Brothers climbing route and campsites. Since the Dose Road closed, dayhike and weekend camping visitation has shifted to destinations that remain relatively more accessible. Lena, upper Big Quil (Camp Mystery, Marmot Pass), and upper Silver Lake visitation has doubled. We need to accommodate that while dispersing and minimizing its impact.

[HermitThrush]