February 19  2005, Ipsut Road access MRNP

<br>We hiked up the Carbon river road to Ipsut campground yesterday. The road had been washed out by the pineapple express. To our suprise National Park employees had the heavy eqipment in there and are rebuilding the road. I talked to one the operators He said that this time they were going to raise the road and and a divertment channel has been cut along side the road. <br>Robie

<br>Thanks for the info. I had not heard about this & I'm surprised that they're working on it so quickly. It took them years to do any work when it originally washed out due to the environmental review process. I'm not bashing the process but just curious how they're able to respond so quickly this time..

Its a definite change in attitude. Perhaps the new superintendant? I could have lived with it either way but it does make some longer trip ski tours possible with the road open. To list a few Seattle ,Spray Park ,Observation rock/Russell glacier,Old Desolate and Carbon glacier.<br>Robie <br><br>

My understanding is that after the big washout years ago, the road washes out and they dump a bunch of gravel each spring.

Legdargger,<br>Thats what they have been doing alright but this time they are raising the level of the road and putting in this divertment channel.I'd be surprised if they did any asphalting.

Good to hear road is getting upgraded. On related note I went up to Mowich Lake yesterday (2/20) and road is quite drivable to the usual Paul Peak gate, with icy spots but no clearance issues. The first mile of walking/skiing had just an inch or two of snow over the gravel but got reasonable past that first mile. It might not be too long until a bike-ski combo will be more useful than skis alone, maybe just a week or two. I'd be interested in knowing whether areas like the Knapsack Pass side to the lake, or the steep forest near or above Eagle Cliff, are north facing enough to be a worthy tour, or if the main purpose of going in this way is to get to Spray Park and beyond. Anyone have any experience with that?