Ventilator Pullout Parking???

Anybody know the most current info if parking is back or if there is a close alternate other than the nordic center?  Old thread:

www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...dex.php?topic=6484.0

Did the (non)-public mtg. occur?

Thanks,
John

I drove past the ventilators last weekend, and the "NO PARKING" signs were still up.

There was a small road plowed about 200 hundred yards uphill of the ventilators, that we parked on last year; it is on the north side of the Hwy, you drive in and downhill, there was room to turn around last year, and you'ld probably need 4WD or chains to get in and out. It might be a DOT access road, but we didn't see any trucks or equipment.

As of 1/4/08 it had been recently plowed and "looked" accessible, but I was going 50 mph, so I didn't get a good look at how far they might have plowed it (or why).

The other way to access Jim Hill is to park at the Nordic Center, hike to Lanham Lake, ascend the treed east ridge on lookers left (being careful not to traverse too far south as it gets cliffy) and then to continue to hike up this ridge to Jim Hill proper. I can't say whether it is shorter or longer than accessing Jim Hill via the ventilator parking / Henry's creek as both always seem like they are a damn long way.

JK

Thanks folks,
I am also thinking of Arrowhead access.  It seems that we really ought to somehow lobby the WSDOT to pehaps widen the plowing for parallel parking like at Smithbrook for example.  Last winter I also noticed that Rock Mtn. TH and the Merritt Lk. road pullout were not plowed either.  Could be that it just was lower priority on a heavy load day but I don't remember old berms to give an explanation.  Passed by at 55MPH made it tough to tell.
These are all opportunities to ski in quiet areas. I think it would be nice to get an idea of how many skiers care?
Anyone please chime in with some thoughts.
John

I care and would add my name to any petition or show up at any meeting to get better winter parking along Hwy 2.

Thanks folks,
I am also thinking of Arrowhead access.   I think it would be nice to get an idea of how many skiers care?

John

John, here's a possible argument that could be presented to the state: as I understand it, this year the state is providing modest but still substantial funding to support FS patrols in mixed use areas. This for education aimed in part at reducing user group conflict. The long term effectiveness of such intervention is, I would think, uncertain, yet the funding is there. [Well worth it too I believe.]

On the other hand, a very modest expenditure by the state to spend a few extra resources to keep one or two additional areas not normally used  by snowmobiles plowed would have a very high chance of reducing such conflict.

Larry