New Access Policy for Paradise

"High visitation is expected on the sunny day forecast for Monday of this holiday weekend. Vehicles may be metered at Longmire if the Paradise parking lots fill. "Metering" means one vehicle will be allowed up the rd to Paradise for each vehicle that comes down -pw"

Probably a good idea given the massive crowds on sunny days. But just stopping people at Longmire might not be enough. Posting wait times at the Nisqually Entrance would be advisable. For example: Paradise Parking Lot Full. Only one car will be allowed to go up from Longmire for each car coming down. Expected wait time xx minutes.

I suspect quite a few might turn around; this would help major congestion & conflict at Longmire.

Thanks for the heads up. Sign of the times. And good suggestion.

Are there any special interest groups that this policy does not apply to? In other words if I hire a guide can I shoot to the front of the line?

Yes. the major guide services here take clients up in vans and drop them off at the visitor center and do not park in the parking lot. So there is no need for them to wait. In any case, most are up there before the lot fills up.

I am guessing that could open an opportunity for someone to run a shuttle service too, assuming one doesn't already exist

A big parking garage on West side of the Nisqually bridge and a tram up to Paradise would eliminate the need to plow the road past the bridge where it crosses avalanche prone slopes and where the majority of winter accidents occur.

It will never happen.

I am guessing that could open an opportunity for someone to run a shuttle service too, assuming one doesn't already exist

Considering winter visitation trends, I think this is the wave of the future.

Paradise should consider this. Hurricane Ridge too.