[rossb]

I think the only long term answer is for the Forest Service to build a new parking lot. I think the best bet is the little wedge between the highway and the railroad tracks, just north of the falls. According to the Snohomish County maps, this is all Forest Service land. The little wedge looks fairly flat. At roughly here, you would have a perpendicular logging road that immediately turned north. This would cost some money, but shouldn't be horribly expensive. While the trees in the area aren't really big, it is possible some of the money could be made back with a small timber sale in the area (might as well log everything between the highway and the railroad tracks). You would have plenty of room for a big parking lot. Forest Service Passes would be required. There would be a path leading to a crosswalk about where the existing official parking is. The speed limit would be dropped to 30 MPH through that section, with warning signs about pedestrians crossing. You would close the existing parking lot, and mark it for emergency vehicles only. Violators would be towed. You would also add signs along the highway, while aggressively ticketing. Traffic would still be a mess. In the morning there would be backups as people wait to turn left, into the parking lot. In both the morning and afternoon there would be plenty of people walking across the street. But there would be no U-Turns, or cars parked along the highway. Emergency vehicles could get into the area without as much trouble and be able to park without blocking the road. Overall it would be a lot safer, and traffic would move more smoothly. Unfortunately, this wouldn't happen for years, if ever.

[rossb]

[Malachai Constant]

I still can’t understand the big attraction. I have known about this place for 30 years or so and always thought of it as kind of meh. Herd mentality I guess.

[Anne Elk]

Thanks for posting all those map and street view links, Ross. I haven't been up that way in years. I did notice on the street view that the signs on the trees and on the board (ones big enough to read) say "river closed to travel" and "no swimming". The F/S & WSDOT seem to be of two minds around what they want to be happening, or are willing to enforce. In re the parking lot idea, you just gotta know that even if they constructed it, it would probably do little to end the problem as the lot would quickly fill, and people would start parking on the road again. We see this at other popular trails. Iwonder when this site started getting so popular/advertised - the social media era?

[Randito]

[rossb]

[Anne Elk]

[rossb]

[Anne Elk]

[rossb]

[Chief Joseph]

I agree with Ross, I mean people need to get out and recreate. If an area becomes too crowded then more parking needs to be implemented, just shutting down and ticketing people won’t solve the problem. Look at the ice caves parking area size. The ice caves are a very popular destination so they built a huge PL, I have never seen it full.

[Kim Brown]

Where would they build a huge parking lot?

[Chief Joseph]

[Kim Brown]

OK, I missed that post about a location. I don't know that the USFS would deal with a parking lot; that would mean the falls are a recreation site - something they'd have to patrol and maintain. They'd have to study it, probably do a public process. And a parking lot next to an active train track - not sure they'd want to set themselves up for any kind of liability. They're not liable for the attraction of the falls because - they're not an official recreation site. It's a place in the river. Sorta like like off trail hikes. It's a conundrum for sure.

[Schroder]

That pull-off for the falls is situated in one of the most hazardous areas along Hiway 2. There have been multiple fatalities there, one of which I witnessed. I think the pullouts should be blocked with Jersey barriers & if they want to develop access it needs to be far away from that curve, or on the other side of the river.