[Backpacker Joe]

Ok, I just recieved information in the mail concerning the Middle Fork river plan. They have chosen alternative E, out of the list. Here is E. Plan "E" It's what we have feared. The closure of the road beyond Dingleford. Turbo bummer. You can make comments here starting April 27th. Send comments (appeals) here

[Tom]

[Backpacker Joe]

I just spoke to Doug Schrenk (spelling sorry about that) at the North Bend Ranger station. He told me that they are going to be building a new foot bridge at the Gold Meyer parking lot and that the gate wont go up until that bridge is completed. He said more like fall 2006. So like Tom said, burn that area up in the next two summers before we're shut out. Maybe few more get togethers up there before the road is closed too. TB

[MtnGoat]

There wasn't much doubt the lock it up crowd would win this one.

[Kat]

I just got home from a hellish day at work and that durned thing was in the mail, gee really made my day. Along with an invitation to join the WTA who supported the closure Thank goodness we've got another summer or 2. Anyone else notice it looks like Goldmyer patrons will NOT get a key?

[Backpacker Joe]

If there are going to be multiple numbers of individuals (property owners) who will be issued keys, then copies will be made and before you know it hundreds of keys will be around. The thing is to get one of those keys. TB

[Randy]

Looks like the slides probably won't be cleared then. Good thing I've taken care of the stuff I want to see up there except for one beastie that I may never climb.

[Kat]

[Slugman]

Sorry all, but I support Plan E. It is a big access improvement for me. If you read the plan, it calls for improving the road to Dingford. Right now, I can't get near Dingford. So I will be able to push a mtn bike up the road to the wilderness boundary and lock it up, and get a downhill coast back to the car after the trip. It will put several areas within my normal 3-day trip range, where as now I'm locked out of the area completely. I'm sorry that others will have trip time added for them, since they can drive up past Dingford now, but it's happening whether I like it or not, so I might as well like it.

[Sore Feet]

Considering the road was pretty much assumed to be closed at Dingford, this is probably the best possible outcome. I have a pretty low clearance car, so having an improved road to Dingford is also nice for me. Guess I'll just have to do DM in the next 18 months.

[Allison]

Slugman, your car will totally make it to Dingford right now. Just go slow.

[Slugman]

Maybe I'll have to saunter on up there soon, and hike Taylor river to that lake up there you recommended to me if I can't get to Dingford (It's a long drive for me, can't waste it). If I can get to dingford, then plan E is an outrage!

[Steve]

This outcome is not unexpected. Unfortunate, but not unexpected. At least I've had the priviledge of being able to go up there as the occasion arose since 1989. Maybe they can throw in a bike rack at the DM TH and GM bridge locations.

[Curt]

A quick glance at my map shows it's just over 7 miles from Dingford to the Trailhead via the "road" - does this sound about right? Anybody know how much longer the trail is? I haven't been up there for a couple years and don't remember much about the trip in there except that the road sucked big time. If it's only 7 miles, Slug might have the best plan going with the mountain bike idea. I'd be all for donating a beater bike for the cause. We could get a whole fleet of garage sale bikes up there for a continuous shuttle. I know I wouldn't want to leave anything nice up there for 4 or 5 days. -Curt

[Backpacker Joe]

What is this, just because some of you may not have a vehicle capable of accessing the road closing it is a good option! So if you didnt have car capable of going 75mph, they shouldnt set the speed limit that high????? What king of crap is that? Buy a vehicle that better serves your outdoor interests. This isn't the only questionable road one must access to hike around this state. How can anyone rationally say that closing off access to any area is a positive thing? No body is asking for MORE access or new roads, just that what we have be kept open. Since SOME people are going to have keys to the gate can you imagine how many keys are going to start popping up? TB