[Backpacker Joe]

You need to buy one under a FAKE identity, then EVERYBODY makes copies of THAT one and uses them! TB

[polarbear]

Yes, I can just see it now. Ex-hikers Caught Running Counterfeit Fee Demos Pass Progam from Prison Judge Lang Turm has decided to add to the 4 imprisoned northwest hikers three additional life sentences for attempting to run a fee demo pass counterfeiting program from their cells on McNeil Island. The hikers who had already served 5 years of their orginal sentence are apparently incorrigible. Their elaborate scheme was discovered when a carrier pigeon crashed through a window on the upper level of the REI, careened off a bystander's World Wrap's black bean wrap, and skidded across the resident ranger's desk, dropping a mouthful of passes. The ranger quickly noticed that the passes were the color suspiciously similar to Delmonte Peas while the genuine pass is Pale Hemlock Green Cascade. Further analysis revealed that they were manufactured out of federal issue toilet paper though whether it was single or double ply was indeterminate. More passes were found up at Snow Lake which was evidently the primary distribution point. A radio transmitter has been strapped to the pigeon to see if additional distribution points can be located. A possible location is Delta Lake. "No one used to hike to this place and now everyone is," said one official. It is unknown how many of the bogus passes are in circulation, but the racket had evidently been going on for years. "I thought it odd," said a ranger, "that when I was checking the passes on cars on hot days the parking lot smelled like a giant pea cannery." The McNeil warden said he had always been a bit suspicous that the four inmates were sporting gore tex and smart wool while the remaining islanders wore black and white striped PJ's. "Where did they get the money? It didn't add up." Two kayaks, paddles, and an altimeter were found on the shore of the island, pointing to an imminent planned escape. As they filed out of the courtroom, one reporter asked them what they planned to do once they got back to prison. "I guess it's back to jail and making license plates again," one muttered.

[Backpacker Joe]

Oh brother. Steven (Polar Bear) King! Have you thought of another carrer Pbear? Everybodys a bloody comedian! And they're all bad! TB

[kleet]

I don't need no steeeeenking altimeter to break outta McNeil Island! You'll never take me alive, copper!

[Newt]

Just think, they could probably add another 5 yrs for trespassing on federal property. You folks may not get out alive. Anybody have a buddy at Kinkos? I was at McNeil Is. once for a job interview. I didn't care for the sound of the gates when they shut or the looks of the occupants. NN

[mvs]

I received a $30 ticket in May during a climb of The Brothers. I objected to paying the fee, he took my driver's license number, and gave me a real ticket. I would have to go to a district court in Aberdeen (!) to protest innocence or contest it in any way. Now I'll probably buy a pass. I can't afford to keep this up! I've read somewhere that the 1/4 mile "rule" isn't always respected by the rangers. If you think about it, it will be very easy to tear down that "rule". They'll just claim that a new de facto parking lot has been established by all the cheapskates 1/4 mile back. --Michael

[catwoman]

There was a front page article and photo today in the News Tribune about a reverand who refuses to pay the fee or the tickets.

[Tsolo]

Here's the link for the Tribune article: http://www.tribnet.com/news/story/1321542p-1440377c.html The guy says he hasn't paid any tickets, and no one has ever done anything further...

[polarbear]

I may have to recruit him the next time there is a protest. If people are against the fee demo, I think it's important they attend a protest. I think it's the most effective voice you have against it. Rather than spending hours trying to figure out how to evade the law exercise your constitutional right to fee speech.

[catwoman]

Hmmm. Interesting idea. Maybe we should organize a little sign-carrying gathering and get some continued media attention to the matter!

[Protester]

Hey, if you put protest signs all over your car you could argue that your primary purpose for being parked there was political protest and not recreation It's not your fault if you happen to be relieving yourself behind some trees when they happen to write a ticket!

[MtnGoat]

Thanks for the info Damian. You're certain the 1/4 mile rule no longer applies, right? I predict some very empty parking lots and a line of cars along roadsides, this will have a particular impact on the Smith brook trailhead, where they are building a large new parking lot to get the weekly huge line of cars off the road. Now, they'll finish the expensive new lot and have everyone parking on the road again. Makes me wonder about priorities when they are short on funding to begin with and think parking lots are the best use of cash. Just make the roads slightly wider near trailheads and call it good. Practically, I've wondered how they enforced a 1/4 mile rule in the first place. They may be dropping it because of enforcement issues, but now since you can park one place and pay, or 50 feet away, and not, will create an entirely new set of unintended consequences....solution: end trail pass. Probable solution: New even more unworkable situation where the presence of your car on any road going to a trailhead is considered fee worthy? Time for flamebait...Wether or not maintaince ceases is not a reason to support the insupportable. Proper funding (IMO, from congress) for trail maintainance will not occur by supporting the current system, and if it takes the cessation of maintainence for a while to build support for federal funding for federal property, that's the way it goes.

[kleet]

[Dslayer]

I just got a notice to show up for arraignment in a Federal Court in Vancouver for a Trail Park Pass I ignored earlier this year-or pay the $30 fine. Anyone know what happens if I ignore this one? Will the U.S. govt. put out a warrant for my arrest? Will Tommy Lee Jones show up at my doorstep like in The Fugitive? Seriously, anyone know how this works?

[Backpacker Joe]

I agree with ole Billy, I cannot support and will not support this program. What about the money WASETED on the dumb ass who now has to DRIVE AROUND LOOKING FOR OFFENDERS? Is that not a waste of government time? Time equals money. This absolutly is duble taxation. One more example of it anyway. I dont care about trail maintenance. Let them go to hell. Let the care be totally volunteer based. If I get a ticket then I get a ticket. Tom B