Forum Index > Trail Talk > Highway 20 Closure Extension
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
fourteen410
Member
Member


Joined: 23 May 2008
Posts: 2622 | TRs | Pics
fourteen410
Member
PostTue Nov 20, 2018 3:37 pm 
Highway 20 will be closing four miles west of the usual closure gate beginning in January (from MP 134 to MP 130): https://wsdotblog.blogspot.com/2018/11/change-means-more-room-to-roam-for-sr.html?m=1

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
thunderhead
Member
Member


Joined: 14 Oct 2015
Posts: 1511 | TRs | Pics
thunderhead
Member
PostTue Nov 20, 2018 4:32 pm 
Screws over snowmobiles, good for cyclists. Being a cyclist, I like it!

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
John_B
Member
Member


Joined: 15 Nov 2014
Posts: 50 | TRs | Pics
John_B
Member
PostTue Nov 20, 2018 6:25 pm 
That seems to be a perfect example of how NOT to go about letting people know about something. DOT screwed the pooch on that one. That'd functionally remove snowmobile and easy hiker/skier access to snow on the western HWY 20 corridor.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Pahoehoe
Member
Member


Joined: 12 Oct 2017
Posts: 563 | TRs | Pics
Pahoehoe
Member
PostTue Nov 20, 2018 7:30 pm 
What doesnt make sense is if there isnt snow, Its not going to have plowing costs. If there is significant snow, closing it early wont harm access (as much). Why cant they only close it if its snowed in?

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Cyclopath
Faster than light



Joined: 20 Mar 2012
Posts: 7697 | TRs | Pics
Location: Seattle
Cyclopath
Faster than light
PostWed Nov 21, 2018 12:30 am 
As a skier, I feel like they just gave us a non motorized recreation area. smile.gif

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
neek
Member
Member


Joined: 12 Sep 2011
Posts: 2329 | TRs | Pics
Location: Seattle, WA
neek
Member
PostWed Nov 21, 2018 7:06 am 
Hmm, that's gonna make the winter routes on Ruby more involved.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
uww
Member
Member


Joined: 16 Dec 2015
Posts: 317 | TRs | Pics
uww
Member
PostWed Nov 21, 2018 2:56 pm 
I'm confused why this is bad for snowmobiles- aren't they allowed on the closed section of highway too?

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
iron
Member
Member


Joined: 10 Aug 2008
Posts: 6391 | TRs | Pics
Location: southeast kootenays
iron
Member
PostWed Nov 21, 2018 3:10 pm 
UWW wrote:
I'm confused why this is bad for snowmobiles- aren't they allowed on the closed section of highway too?
because snow doesn't typically stick around at EL1400 and they can't drive on bare pavement for 4 miles.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Merlin
Member
Member


Joined: 14 Jul 2018
Posts: 16 | TRs | Pics
Location: Leavenworth
Merlin
Member
PostWed Nov 21, 2018 3:38 pm 
Quote:
Why cant they only close it if its snowed in?
''After Jan. 2 we will continue to keep the road open to the gate at milepost 134 until there is significant snowfall to the west, to alleviate concerns about large patches of bare pavement beyond the new closure point at milepost 130.''

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Windstorm
Member
Member


Joined: 16 Dec 2014
Posts: 288 | TRs | Pics
Windstorm
Member
PostWed Nov 21, 2018 4:23 pm 
To add to Merlin's reply above, it looks like WSDOT is listening to concerns about lack of snow at MP 130. They've added a note to the blog post.
Quote:
Thank you to everyone for your feedback. We heard you. Here are the changes we’re making in response: •We will close the gates on SR 20 at milepost 134 just as we have every year when the avalanche risk increases. •We are committed to keeping the western closure point at that location through at least Jan. 2, 2019. •After Jan. 2 we will continue to keep the road open to the gate at milepost 134 until there is significant snowfall to the west, to alleviate concerns about large patches of bare pavement beyond the new closure point at milepost 130. •We have heard from many snowmobilers concerned with the change in our operation. We are working with local snowmobile groups to attend/plan a meeting next month to discuss your concerns and talk more in depth about the issues we face on SR 20 while accommodating winter users.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
thunderhead
Member
Member


Joined: 14 Oct 2015
Posts: 1511 | TRs | Pics
thunderhead
Member
PostWed Nov 21, 2018 10:37 pm 
I mean that does seem to be the logical solution, as much as i like the idea of nonmotorized route 20...

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
kiliki
Member
Member


Joined: 07 Apr 2003
Posts: 2310 | TRs | Pics
Location: Seattle
kiliki
Member
PostSun Nov 25, 2018 1:18 pm 
I'd like to know how much it costs to maintain that stretch for snowmobile access. As hikers we all know that land management agencies sometimes just can't afford to fix the roads and trails and so we don't have access to the places that we want to go, either. And I'm sitting here in the car deck of the M/V Hyak, marveling at how much a rust is everywhere. The WSDOT is stretched thin; this may have been the fiscally prudent decision that makes best use of taxpayer dollars.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Schroder
Member
Member


Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 6696 | TRs | Pics
Location: on the beach
Schroder
Member
PostTue Nov 27, 2018 5:24 pm 
Quote:
The North Cascades Highway is closed for the season at 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 28 between Milepost 134 at Diablo Overlook, east of Newhalem and Milepost 171 at Silver Star Creek west of Mazama.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Trail Talk > Highway 20 Closure Extension
  Happy Birthday noahk!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum