Winter 2024-25 has arrived in the PNW, and Cascade Backcountry Alliance has been active with many access projects. Here is a summary of what we’ve been working on.
Gold Creek Pond Restoration Project
Last spring, we asked our community to submit comments regarding the Gold Creek Pond Restoration Project proposed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. We were thrilled with how many winter (and summer!) recreational enthusiasts spoke up regarding the potential reduction in access to one of the most popular winter recreation destinations at Snoqualmie Pass. If you submitted a comment to the Forest Service, THANK YOU!
On December 9 the Forest Service authorized the Gold Creek Restoration Project. However, their decision included an amendment to their proposed action that would allow the Gold Creek area to remain open during portions of the project. Specifically, they outlined conditions under which the Gold Creek Pond area could be open “either in whole or in part, when public safety can still be provided for.” Reopening would be considered when the following three conditions are met:
(1) between implementation phases or seasons when there is no active construction contract or when the construction area is sufficiently limited in size,
(2) when implementing partners and Cle Elum District Staff have sufficient time to identify recreation use patterns relative to work areas, and
3) when closures could be reinstated in advance of a new construction phase or season, construction area expansion, or any other condition when public safety could be compromised.
In all cases, the decision to reopen FS Road 4832-142 and the area around Gold Creek Pond, in whole or in part, will be made by the District Ranger and when public safety can be reasonably assured. If public safety is a concern, the project area would remain closed.
In addition, the cross-country travel closure has been removed from the project.
While we are pleased the Forest Service listened to the voice of its constituents, and is considering ways to be flexible during this process, our work is not done yet. We are currently working with the Cle Elum Ranger District to understand these conditions and what criteria will be used to assess them.
New Summit at Snoqualmie Parking Policy
The Summit at Snoqualmie instituted a new paid parking policy for all of their lots and the parking policy is now in effect. We cover everything you need to know in this blog post.
Mount Rainier (Paradise)
Mt. Rainier National Park (MRNP) recently announced that Paradise will be open Friday through Monday this winter. This is one less day than last winter, and three days short of historical operations.
Additionally, we have heard from community members that the gate opening has been more delayed than usual.
Cascade Backcountry Alliance has met with MRNP leadership, along with National Parks Conservation Association, Washington Trails Association, The Mountaineers, and Winter Wildlands Alliance. Here is what we learned:
MRNP requires 26 staff members, across roads, rangers, custodial, and utilities, to be able to open Paradise 7 days per week. Currently, there are only 16 staff members.
This is not a funding issue, but rather a hiring issue.
Wages are set based on government policy, determined by the job’s duties, knowledge, and skill requirements. There is also a local cost of living adjustment, and the Park’s proximity to Seattle / Tacoma does increase the salaries.
Seasonal job openings are posted 4-6 months in advance. Thus, winter job openings were closed back in August. That is why no winter jobs appear on the USA Jobs posting. However, there are active full time job listings (road crews) that would help improve winter access.
MRNP superintendent mentioned that safety precautions have grown increasingly robust. We tried to understand why this is the case.
In 2018, MRNP created a decision matrix to make the decision to open or not less subjective. This procedure has reduced flexibility, but increased staff safety.
National Parks are “exclusive jurisdictions”, meaning they are responsible for everything that happens on their land, including emergencies. This is why they cannot permit recreation when staff is not available, unlike other public lands such as National Forest land.
We asked MRNP if there was anything the community can do to help advocate for better access, but they did not offer any direction.
If the reduced winter schedule affects you, we encourage you to:
Reach out to your elected officials.
Contact MRNP leadership (greg_dudgeon@nps.gov).
Share job postings with any interested individuals.
Baker Huts
The Mt. Baker Ranger District has halted plans to introduce 4 backcountry huts in the Mt. Baker region after determining that the district needed more time to work with the proponents and make changes to the proposed huts.
This is the outcome that we recommended and asked our community to speak out in favor of. Together, our community and the snowmobiling community submitted 235 comments last spring. We’d like to say a huge thank-you to all of you who submitted comments on the proposal.
The Mt. Baker Ranger District told us that it intends to revisit the hut proposals in the future. We’re currently working to find out more about what that entails and how Cascade Backcountry Alliance can be involved earlier in the process.
Franklin Falls Sno-Park
A new Sno-Park is opening this winter at Franklin Falls, accessed from Exit 47 on I-90. This location, with 100+ parking spots, creates great opportunities for backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, and snow play. A non-motorized Sno-Park pass is required to park here.
When the parking lot fills up or there are other safety issues, USFS winter rangers will close the access road back at Exit 47. When planning a visit to this site, keep a backup option in mind!
Note that this does not have any effect on the Lake Annette Sno-Park, which will remain open.
Kendall Peak Lakes Road
The USFS recently repaired the bridge at the beginning of FS-9090 near Exit 54 along I-90. The bridge was previously washed out to the point of being only a few feet wide. This road is popular with snowshoers and backcountry skiers headed towards the Kendall Peak Lakes. While the CBA was not responsible for this improvement, we are very thankful for this access improvement, which will ensure that recreators are still able to access this zone.
New Board Members
Cascade Backcountry Alliance is welcoming 5 new Board members this season. You can read more about the Board here.
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