White River Rd to Campground

There were 6 cars parked at the Summerland trailhead today... apparently if you "know someone", you can get past the gate at the Crystal Mtn turnoff... ???

I usually avoid that trailhead since it so busy, even when it is closed it is busy!

Did they have White River Road country club stickers on the cars?

As a denizen of Enumclaw, I too am frustrated by the lack of north side access. If I was crafty, I would purchase an old Honda Trail 90 on ebay, drive it up to the White River campground. I think you could get in trouble for this, but it is my understanding that snowmobiles are allowed on the road from the snowpark. Sooo, get a little plastic kiddie sled, cut a slot in it for the front tire of said trail 90 and call it a snowmobike. Then, drive it to Cayuse, sunrise, wherever! If I was crafty, that is.

On a side note-Crystal Mountain funds the Ranger that counts skier tracks in the park on the Crystal mountain side of the road as part of the EIS aggrement that Teter was refering to earlier in the tread, not the NPS. This research data is used by the Park to present scientific evidence that too many skiers are skiing the Park, but that is a whole other can of worms.

I've never understood what the big deal is about skiers entering Mt. Rainier National Park from Crystal. What's the problem? Is a similar count done at Paradise, or say Tatoosh? Is the Ranger stationed there 7 days a week keeping count of ski tracks?

As for park employees having early access, this is no surprise. A few years ago we biked up to Mowich lake to ski the Flett and Russell before the gate was open, although the road was in fine condition. While we were there, several park employees and/or family and friends had driven up to enjoy the area before the public was allowed to drive in.

Did they have White River Road country club stickers on the cars?

No stickers of any kind, except for a "Texas A&M" sticker. Didn't look like park vehicles or anything. Just a large group of folks heading up Little Tahoma presumably.

Shortly after I got back to the gate (on bike), a caravan of 3 cars came back through - looked like different cars than the 6 at Summerland.