[like2thruhike]

Not so long ago it was popular for this....

Now it looks like this....

The "new" trailhead gives access to a new mountain bike trail of which was a road to bike trail conversion.Supposedly will be quite long.And maybe new hiking trails to Little St Helens and Scout Patrol Peaks as well? The Hansen Creek Road (5510) has been a favorite for a road trip close to home giving a one of a kind view and during the right season providing some refreshments along the way.(berries) On the way up 5510:

Road 5510

[Doppelganger]

[like2thruhike]

My "now" was a relative term..... Headed up that way eventually wearing snowshoes.I'm sure it's under two+ feet of snow by now....

[Martin S]

I went up there last summer to check out the new mountain biking trail and while it doesn't go all the way to the top of Little St Helens it does do a nice loop around the east and north sides. A lot of work went into turning the roadbed into "interesting" obstacles for MTB's. There was also a new trail under construction on the west side of LSH leading off to connect with Gardner and points west. Apparently the master plan is to build a network of trails allowing for some long loop rides or hikes. Maps and lots more info is available here. I'm glad to see this area, with such easy access from Seattle, being developed for its recreational potential. When I came back down the trail I discovered that a family had set up target shooting across the trail and that I'd have to pass through their line of fire to get back to my car. When I told them that this area was now a popular trail and had been closed to shooting, they said they thought that just the gravel pit had been closed to shooting and since they weren't in the gravel pit it must be okay.

[shiwapema]

I drove up there late afternoon, today, Labor Day, and there were two guys with high powered rifles target shooting in the gravel pit at the trailhead. If I could have read their license plates from where I was, I would report them...

[Brucester]

Was up on a ride today. Didn't dare park at the TH parking area because of glass. Never did feel 100% secure with parking there on todays ride with all the vandalism going on there. Just gave a bad vibe. The closer you get to the TH the less of the No Shooting signs you see....

[GC99]

If you look near the gate you can see the stubs of wood which are all that was left of the sign. We talked to a ranger and he said that they're having trouble keeping it up, especially with the $800 price per replacement.

[Brucester]

In Colorado they don't mess around. I've seen metal signs with letters torched out. Easy enough to read but much harder to vandalize. And I don't get why the FS didn't restore the gravel pit to it's natural state to discourage target shooters all together. Volunteers could transplant stuff..... Fill the pit in with Alder..... Grows like weeds.

[Ski]

alder requires water. scotch broom is a non-indigenous invader, but it's fairly drought tolerant and would sprout if seeds were simply scattered over the gravel. will withstand drought, fires, and being driven over by 4x4 trucks. pampas grass might be worthy of consideration as well. both can attain heights of up to 8 feet, creating a visual barrier. looks like they've got an enforcement issue up there. that area was closed a few years ago, which left the site up above Greenwater (along the #70 road) about the only place left on NFS land where they can shoot. understandably, some members of that user constituency aren't too happy about it. (and then of course there are always the obligatory morons in any user group.)

[treeswarper]

NO! Don't even think about putting scotch broom anywhere! Anybody that cares is spending time and money eradicating it. Signs don't mean anything to some people, except the signs make good targets.

[Brucester]

Friends Of The Trail volunteers get all the fun, kneeling for hours on pads hand picking glass pieces because leaf rakes are only effective getting shot gun shells. I'm free this afternoon, lets all give FOTT a break and do the right thing for this scenic trail head. I have pads, a rake and buckets. Just don't want to be up there alone, really.

[Ski]

[Brucester]

Yeah. Was just wanting to see that TH clean, yah know? For once. There'll be more and more mountain bikers eventually up there once the trail gets more press, once that trail gets built to Cedar Butte area. Not to mention peakbaggers headed to Scout and Little St Helens. Saw a bunch of horse poop up there, so all kinds of riders up there. It IS a nice TH in regards to the views of Granite on the other side of the road. Very quiet and scenic. Surely with more eyes and ears, there will be less target shooting.

[RichP]

[Ski]

Yeah... in a perfect world that might happen... Just my lousy opinion, but I think it was an error in judgment on the part of NFS to not set aside some gravel pit somewhere in eastern King County for those guys to go shoot old beer cans and such. At least in doing so they'd get the "organized" shooter groups (such as they are) to chip in and help clean up the mess. (and FTR: I don't own any firearms - they're too noisy for me.) And don't bother complaining or filing reports with NFS - they don't have enough manpower on the ground to deal with it - contact KCSO if you see anything up there.