Closed access routes

Posted by: mockturtle

Closed access routes - 07/29/08 07:28 AM

Windstorms last month here in the Selkirks knocked down so many trees that quite a few access routes to local mountains are closed. My sister had planned to bag her last few local peaks early this summer but hasn't been able to get up there. Anyone else having that problem?

With the fires near Yosemite, I would think there are problems in CA, too.
Posted by: wandering_daisy

Re: Closed access routes - 07/30/08 04:33 PM

Significant flash floods on the east side of the Sierra in the Bishop area in early July destroyed some roads. Baxter Pass road is closed. It probably will not get fixed this year because it is a seldom used trailhead and the Forest Service is out of money with all the fire fighting.

Portions of the PCT are still closed north of Tahoe.

Although not an access issue, the air quality (smoke) has been so bad that I personally would not attempt Mt. Shasta or any peak in Lassen Park or the Trinity Wilderness and surrounding areas in northern California. Air quality in Yosemite on the west side is also very bad - "unhealthy for all groups of people" that I would avoid climbing here too.
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Closed access routes - 08/01/08 04:15 PM

Lots of access routes have been closed in the Cascades and Olympics (not just for climbing but also for us hikers) by storms in 2003, 2006 and 2007 and are still waiting for repair. Those of us in the Portland area who want to visit the north side of Mt. Adams, for example, have to drive I-5 halfway to Seattle and come in from the north. The connecting road is in the Forest Service plans (and, presumably, budget) to be fixed this year, but it probably won't be finished until fall, especially with our late snowmelt.