[Kim Brown]

Tom, the bikeride on the road isn't that bad, dark or not. It's a good road, free of blowdown. The only stupid spot is that damn cattle guard. I jsut about busted my ass on that thing in the near-dark. Trails funding and roads projects come from different coffers, different division, different personnel. Just as any large business does for their budget. This road is top priority. I'm sure you've called the District Ranger by now, and asked for the lowdown on the steps taken since 2003, - so you know how much they've been busting ass on it. When funding comes in for a trail and you get it, you gotta spend it within the appropriate timeframe, or it's gone. I wouldn't imagine that quitting casting about for trails funding would be a smart move - the FS is lucky to get what it gets when it gets it. Luckily George, with his poor spelling, isn't the one filling out the grant requests. Once the road is fixed, the trails will be that much more ahead maintenance-wise. If they wait til the road is fixed, there will be an 8 year backlog (it'll be 8 years next season when it's fixed), and people would bitch about that. I personally don't think that shelving trail maintenance for 8 years would be a smart way to run a trail system.

[DIYSteve]

[forest gnome]

Just to get this straight.....the bridge that washed out over tenas creek has been repaired....there is a gate 2? miles before the bridge..... there may be some minor stuff to fix just before the bridge...(this was a month ago)....I hear the road is going to be closed at the bridge on fs. rd. #2660 ...this after 15' high rock walls line the creek above and below the bridge....(the new bridge)....how was the budget on that?? why put so much money time and effort into a bridge that is going to be closed anyway...what a friggin waste....that said the boulder lake area can use some healing allso.....just NO EXCUSE for wasting that kinda effort at the bridge repair and not have it open to use....period!

[Tom]

[forest gnome]

ya I thought it was closed for 2 more yrs......still it may be closed at the bridge......I am ok with that as it's not a problem to break out the gas scooter or dirtbike....and the boulder lake area really doesn't need more idiots leavin trash up there.....just a huge waste of money and time if it stays closed......

[Dayhike Mike]

FG: The Tenas Creek road is slated to be opened next June, after repairs are complete. It'll be open to the trailhead, not the bridge.

[Layback]

Meh.. Mediocre pics in a area of little interest. Nice work you guys. Good stuff.

[Magellan]

Wow. That was fun. I am a big fan of the Dayhike Mike Plan, but I understand why we need a couple more layers. DHM where did you get that nugget on the Tenas opening? I'd like to take a trekking pole to the vandals backsides.

[forest gnome]

thanks dayhikemike!....good to know more trashing of boulder lake is coming.. .I wouldn't mind it being closed at the bridge...guess ya have to get past pear to not see trash.....

[ORMoto.com]

WOW ! What an amazing well documented trip ! I can't wait to start doing such hikes, gonna have to go down your list of TR's and make a check list ! Holler if you ever want a 3 wheel !

[Backpacker Joe]

Words do not exist to articulate how badly I wish I could have made this hike!!!!

[archerbrown]

I hope the trip did not kill you---getting accross the Suiattle was quite a accomplishment. I have gone to that area many times before the bridge got washed out and the hike up the hill to the first Box lake is a grunt--if you can find the scratch trail. Hope I can find the time late next summer to make it back there--nothing like a little bike and hike. LB

[deerhunter]

You better get up there in the next couple of years because Glacier Peak is gonna erupt Dec. 21 2012.

[Dayhike Mike]

[deerhunter]