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GeoHiker
Rocky Walker



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GeoHiker
Rocky Walker
PostWed Feb 03, 2010 4:37 pm 
I just got off the phone with Skykomish RS on a road closure up the Beckler and asked to talk with Barb Busse and she has retired! That was a surprise, so now there's nobody that has any knowledge about what's going on with the area. The dist. manager from Darrington is doubling up on duties, so isn't up to speed. John told me that they have been fielding a lot of calls about access, so that's good to hear. Also, a LOT of people are getting locked behind the gate enough that the FS had to make extra keys for law enforcement and FD. People are calling 911!......Please don't get locked in there that is only going to add fuel to the fire for permanent closure. I have a call into Steve Tift (LongviewTimber, 360-424-2014) He's the one you need to talk with. I haven't worked out a key/permit system yet, but want to keep that idea alive if possible. Now that Barb is gone that just got bumped down a notch or two. down.gif

You call some place paradise, kiss it goodbye......Eagles
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Sultan Guy
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PostThu Feb 04, 2010 7:28 am 
Wow bummer about Barb retiring. I just saw her a few months ago at the SNOPUD relicensing signing ceremony for the Sultan project. You might want to try and contact Tom Davis at the Sky RS. He is a recreational trails specialist or something like that and has always seemed pretty knowledgable about access issues in that area.

Any worthwhile expedition can be planned on the back of an envelope- H. W. Tilman
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GeoHiker
Rocky Walker



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PostThu Feb 04, 2010 1:32 pm 
Thanks SG, I spoke with Steve (Longview) and he told me they've been allowing people in there with a key/permit exchange. He knew of one mountaineer group that went in last Fall. He's set on closing the road for good once the Emergency closure is up. down.gif Steve told me all logging is done in there for the next 1.5 years and other than some routine road maintenance no Longview employees will be in there. If you remember, this was the primary reason for the Emergency closure. I figured this would be great! The gate can be reopened, new rules sign put up and we could monitor what happens. I told him that I'm more than willing to help out in there and a number of people on NWHikers. When I suggested this, he was still adamant about keeping it locked. Steve is willing to work with people/groups on key access and I'll be meeting with him next week. Might be a good time with the snow levels running so high for a group hike on Persis. Anyone interested in that?

You call some place paradise, kiss it goodbye......Eagles
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cartman
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PostThu Feb 04, 2010 5:25 pm 
Did he give a reason why he insists on keeping the road closed?

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tigermn
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PostThu Feb 04, 2010 7:01 pm 
cartman wrote:
Did he give a reason why he insists on keeping the road closed?
Good question so now what is the reason for leaving it locked? Because they can?

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GeoHiker
Rocky Walker



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Rocky Walker
PostThu Feb 04, 2010 7:10 pm 
tigermn wrote:
cartman wrote:
Did he give a reason why he insists on keeping the road closed?
Good question so now what is the reason for leaving it locked? Because they can?
No reason other than the previous problems in the area. Illegal shooting, dumping, etc etc. If he can keep that gate locked that's one less area he has to deal with.

You call some place paradise, kiss it goodbye......Eagles
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Redwic
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PostThu Feb 04, 2010 10:02 pm 
GeoHiker wrote:
Might be a good time with the snow levels running so high for a group hike on Persis. Anyone interested in that?
I am! I am! Having grown up near that area, I have been meaning to go to Mount Persis for many years but keep putting it off. I really need to make a strong effort to go there this year. I would appreciate it if you keep me posted of any possible groups heading up, sometime.

60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
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Hulksmash
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PostFri Feb 05, 2010 1:01 am 
I'm in!! Persis will probably kick my ass, but its better than kicking my self later for putting it off. dizzy.gif

"Bears couldn't care less about us....we smell bad and don't taste too good. Bugs on the other hand see us as vending machines." - WetDog Albuterol! it's the 11th essential
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Ingunn
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PostFri Feb 05, 2010 1:27 am 
I'm interested too, it was one of my favorite dayhikes last year and I've been wanting to go back. agree.gif

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dongraydon
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PostSun Apr 11, 2010 1:59 pm 
Mt Persis Rd Update (Rd 62)
The current one-year emergency closure of Forest Service Road 62 (access to Mount Persis) expires July 16. Steve Tift of Longview Fibre told me this week that the company will ask for a continuation of the closure. He expects to meet with Forest Service people on this subject within the next couple weeks. Tift will arrange for a key for the use of hikers who request it -- a cumbersome process, but it's currently the only way you're allowed to drive the 5 miles to the Persis trailhead. To weigh in on this topic or ask for info, you can contact: Steve Tift Longview Fibre 360-770-1199 srtift@longviewtimber.com Peter Forbes Acting Skykomish District Ranger 360-677-2414 360-436-2301 email is probably pforbes@fs.fed.us I hope to see Road 62 re-opened to its owners, the public, but things are not looking very good at the moment.

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RichP
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PostSun Apr 11, 2010 6:29 pm 
Does this mean that one cannot walk or bike the road beyond the closed gate legally?

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Hulksmash
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Hulksmash
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PostSun Apr 11, 2010 7:55 pm 
Quote:
Does this mean that one cannot walk or bike the road beyond the closed gate legally?
NO. You can legally walk and ride a bike on the road. You cannot legally camp along the road. But there is law against camping on the summit of Persis.

"Bears couldn't care less about us....we smell bad and don't taste too good. Bugs on the other hand see us as vending machines." - WetDog Albuterol! it's the 11th essential
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RichP
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PostSun Apr 11, 2010 8:17 pm 
Thanks Hulkster up.gif

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Schroder
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PostSun Apr 11, 2010 10:01 pm 
Hulksmash wrote:
Quote:
Does this mean that one cannot walk or bike the road beyond the closed gate legally?
NO. You can legally walk and ride a bike on the road. You cannot legally camp along the road. But there is law against camping on the summit of Persis.
There is no law (?)

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GeoHiker
Rocky Walker



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Rocky Walker
PostMon Apr 12, 2010 12:34 am 
TU, dongraydon, I see nothing has changed since I last spoke with Steve several months ago. We were going to meet, but haven't been able to connect. With the past 2-3 weeks of snow in the mountains I haven't been thinking much about Persis. Maybe it's time to get rolling again. I'd still like to get a group of hikers up there and keep the interest alive. I know of 1 group that was allowed to access the area with a key. Lately the gate has always been closed. Last week when I went by I was surprised to see a pu parked on the inside of the locked gate about 4pm and 2 guys standing by the gate. I didn't have time to turn off, so went on my way. FD and LE has keys to the gate, so I suppose they were let out eventually. Quite a few were getting locked in while they were logging, but that's all done for the next couple years. There's zero reason for that road to be closed now. PS, actually you are on FS property for the entire length of the roads in there and just above the TH. There are a number of roadside camping spots in there that would be legal to camp at as is above the TH where the land becomes all FS.

You call some place paradise, kiss it goodbye......Eagles
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