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Swauth/Chiwaukum parking and access
- arb
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08 Jan 2021 10:58 - 08 Jan 2021 11:04 #234448
by arb
Swauth/Chiwaukum parking and access was created by arb
I'm not sure of the best forum for this post in the new TAY, so please move this around/repost as you see fit.
Friends, as backcountry skiing and winter recreation has grown in popularity those of us who access our turns off of the Route 2 Corridor are seeing increased problems caused by the lack of winter parking and access in this region. The sad reality is that other than Smith Brook, most of the touring in this area is accessed via roads and parking areas that are not maintained for the purpose of providing public recreation, and the backcountry skiing community is coasting on the good graces of the people doing this maintenance. I am increasingly concerned that we will lose what limited access we have if the backcountry skiing community creates sufficient difficulties for the individuals and organizations maintaining the winter access points along RT 2. Last spring I witnessed obscene levels of foolishness from folks who were unable to modulate their behavior in the manner that will be required for us to maintain our access in the face of increased recreation pressure.
One area (of many) that was a mess last year is White Pine Road, which is used to access the north end of the Chiwaukums. For those of you who don’t know, there is a public right of way on the forest road, but, winter vehicle access from route 2 is provided by private landowners who plow the road. The plowing from the railroad trestle to the end of winter maintenance is performed by the caretaker at Cascade Meadows Camp, who also plows the substantial parking area at the railroad trestle. Cascade Meadows usually plows out several passing areas along this stretch of the road, as well as a parking area outside of their gate which they choose to plow to provide better public access. The local backcountry skiing community has relied on the parking and turnaround areas provided by the camp for access to this area, and last year our collective overuse of these areas (and other bad behavior) created a lot of problems for the camp; a collective dick move on the part of the backcountry skiing community considering what it costs the camp to maintain winter access.
This winter I reached out to the organization that runs Cascade Meadows to try and find solutions to reduce conflicts for the 2020/21 ski season, and the camp managers and caretaking staff have been amazing about trying to find ways to provide the local skiing community with winter vehicle access. One solution that they would like to try is providing the backcountry community with the opportunity to pay $20 in exchange for parking inside their gate, on their property. The number of parking spaces available will fluctuate depending on how many guests they have at the camp, so the caretaker would like people to sign up through a google form so he can manage the parking on a day-to-day level. The link below will take you to a web page with all the details:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7R2Vy...Uc4Z04pQK5A/viewform
The camp will continue to plow free access outside of their gates as well as they are able to (one has already been filled in), but if you use this free access please adhere to basic standards of decency:
In general, I think our best bet for maintaining and improving winter access in the Leavenworth/RT 2 area is to proactively work with the entities providing access to reduce conflicts and to find ways to generate revenue to support this access. Hopefully we can make our impact in this area a positive one this season.
Thanks for reading this lengthy missive, I hope y’all have a safe and powdery winter.
Friends, as backcountry skiing and winter recreation has grown in popularity those of us who access our turns off of the Route 2 Corridor are seeing increased problems caused by the lack of winter parking and access in this region. The sad reality is that other than Smith Brook, most of the touring in this area is accessed via roads and parking areas that are not maintained for the purpose of providing public recreation, and the backcountry skiing community is coasting on the good graces of the people doing this maintenance. I am increasingly concerned that we will lose what limited access we have if the backcountry skiing community creates sufficient difficulties for the individuals and organizations maintaining the winter access points along RT 2. Last spring I witnessed obscene levels of foolishness from folks who were unable to modulate their behavior in the manner that will be required for us to maintain our access in the face of increased recreation pressure.
One area (of many) that was a mess last year is White Pine Road, which is used to access the north end of the Chiwaukums. For those of you who don’t know, there is a public right of way on the forest road, but, winter vehicle access from route 2 is provided by private landowners who plow the road. The plowing from the railroad trestle to the end of winter maintenance is performed by the caretaker at Cascade Meadows Camp, who also plows the substantial parking area at the railroad trestle. Cascade Meadows usually plows out several passing areas along this stretch of the road, as well as a parking area outside of their gate which they choose to plow to provide better public access. The local backcountry skiing community has relied on the parking and turnaround areas provided by the camp for access to this area, and last year our collective overuse of these areas (and other bad behavior) created a lot of problems for the camp; a collective dick move on the part of the backcountry skiing community considering what it costs the camp to maintain winter access.
This winter I reached out to the organization that runs Cascade Meadows to try and find solutions to reduce conflicts for the 2020/21 ski season, and the camp managers and caretaking staff have been amazing about trying to find ways to provide the local skiing community with winter vehicle access. One solution that they would like to try is providing the backcountry community with the opportunity to pay $20 in exchange for parking inside their gate, on their property. The number of parking spaces available will fluctuate depending on how many guests they have at the camp, so the caretaker would like people to sign up through a google form so he can manage the parking on a day-to-day level. The link below will take you to a web page with all the details:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7R2Vy...Uc4Z04pQK5A/viewform
The camp will continue to plow free access outside of their gates as well as they are able to (one has already been filled in), but if you use this free access please adhere to basic standards of decency:
- Don’t block the road
- Don’t block the passing pullouts - make sure there is room for cars to pass after you park.
- Don’t park people in.
- Don’t get stuck in the road.
- Don’t tear up the road.
- If the gate is locked, make sure there is room for people to turn around at the end of the road after you park.
In general, I think our best bet for maintaining and improving winter access in the Leavenworth/RT 2 area is to proactively work with the entities providing access to reduce conflicts and to find ways to generate revenue to support this access. Hopefully we can make our impact in this area a positive one this season.
Thanks for reading this lengthy missive, I hope y’all have a safe and powdery winter.
Last edit: 08 Jan 2021 11:04 by arb.
The following user(s) said Thank You: kamtron
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- kamtron
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08 Jan 2021 11:36 #234449
by kamtron
Replied by kamtron on topic Swauth/Chiwaukum parking and access
Good on you for talking to the landowner about this access issue. We will have to do more of this as skiing gets more popular. Seems like a great solution.
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