Snowy Range Parking

Got a letter from the forest service today - looks like some progress on the parking.

The effort is titled "Phase I of the Showy Range Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan"

Still reading through it but it looks like we have a 30 day comment window to get our 2 cents in.

item 4 from the letter:

Develop off-highway snowmobile parking lot/trailhead in place of current parking which overlaps onto the right lane of Highway 130 (i.e Green Rock overflow parking)
Actions include construction of a new snowmobile parking lot, up to approximately 10 acres in size, on the north side of the highway just past the switchback turns to relieve parking congestion in the right lane of the highway below Green Rock Picnic Ground. Surfacing options for the proposed parking lot may include pavement, gravel, or other improved surface. This project would be located just inside the Snowy Range Inventoried Roadless Area. The existing designated winter parking areas on Highway 130 would remain open.

OR

A new snowmobiling parking lot would be constructed above Snowy Range Ski Area (along an existing route between Barber Lake Road and the Maintenance Shop). This alternative parking lot would also be up to approximately 10 acres in size. Surfacing options for the proposes parking lot may include pavement, gravel, or other improved surface. If this alternative site were selected, the snowmobile route would likely be the Barber Lake Road a no new snowmobile trail construction would be required. The existing designated winter parking areas on Highway 130 would remain open.

It says we will have 30 days to comment once this is published in the Laramie Newspaper. Any of you Laramie guys seen this yet?

I'll post the comment details once we confirm we are in the "window"

I don't get the paper here but I will have to look around and keep an eye out for it. Thanks for the heads up. This is a must for that area. I like the first option.

Phase 1

Mailed my reply today. Sounds like this may turn out good for everyone if they can get the new parking area built.
You can mail your comments to:

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Attn; Paul Willard
ID Team Leader, Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District, Hwy 130
PO Box 249
Saratoga, Wy. 82331

we have 30 days from the time it is posted in the Laramie Boomerang.

So it was already posted? If so emails can also be sent to

comments-rocky-mountain-medicine-bow-routt-brush-creek-hayden "@" fs.fed.us

Include 1. name and address, 2. title of proposed action 3. specific comments on the proposed action(s), along with supporting reasons that the Responsible Official should consider in reaching a decision.

The title of the proposed action is "4) Develop off-highway snowmobile parking lot/trailhead in place of current parking which overlaps onto the right lane of Highway 130 (i.e Green Rock overflow parking)"

Yep I just got that packet last night, i plan to read and reply this weekend.

wasnt this the exact plan they purposed two years ago? or was it last year? no matter. What happened that it fizzled out last time?

I think it has been a work in progress - the original plan was to build a lot way down low on Barber Lake Road and not allow any vehicles to park on the Highway.

They took our input and suggestions (Chris's idea for the switchback parking) and came out with a new plan.

I think it is just a long process. This is also a scenic byway plan, not a forest service plan (although they are probably related) - so there may be different rules and procedures.

Not for sure - just my guesses.....

tmk50 said:

Any of you Laramie guys seen this yet?

Click to expand...

Just published this morning in the Public Notices

Opportunity to Comment
Snowy Range Scenic Byway
(Saratoga, Wyo., June 12, 2009) – The Forest Service is seeking public input on several projects
designed to improve the quality of the public experience along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway
Corridor. The Snowy Range Scenic Byway is a 27 mile stretch of Highway 130, which extends
from Centennial to the Forest boundary near Ryan Park. The Byway runs through the Brush
Creek/Hayden and Laramie Ranger Districts of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, in
Carbon and Albany Counties, Wyoming.
The projects are intended to protect the intrinsic qualities of the byway, improve visitor
experience, increase public understanding of the natural and cultural history of the Forest and the
historic byway, balance conservation with tourism development, and improve public safety along
the byway. The projects are: 1) Replace the Centennial visitor information center with a new
facility; 2) Improve the Brush Creek visitor information site; 3) Improve the Hanging Lake pullout;
4) Develop an off-highway snowmobile parking lot/trailhead in place of current parking along
Highway 130 (one option is just within a roadless area); 5) Expand accessible fishing
opportunities at Barber Lake; 6) Improve the existing parking area at the Sucker Lake turn-off; 7)
Improve the Towner Lake Road; and 8) Pave the first half mile of the Sand Lake Road just north
of Highway 130.
The comment period ends 30 days following the date of publication of the legal notice
in the Rawlins Daily Times, expected on June 17, 2009. This is the only opportunity for
the public to comment on this proposal prior to the decision. More Information about
these projects is on the Forest Service’s website at www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr/projects/rec. Please
contact Paul Willard of the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District at (307) 326-2525 for
additional information.

Guys, I would save your time and effort in posting what you think needs to happen here and buy a stamp or email your comments to the Forest Service without delay. This is one of the most important things and opportunities that must happen during this 30 day period. Although this may not happen soon, a positive push at this point is extremely necessary for this to happen at all.

30 Days Starts TODAY!!!!!!

Thanks
Kenny

Thanks for the update - I'll send out an email to all the non SnoWest'ers that I ride with too

you da best Kenny!

Himark said:

wasnt this the exact plan they purposed two years ago? or was it last year? no matter. What happened that it fizzled out last time?

Click to expand...

I was at the meeting a couple years ago when this was all brought up.
As TMK said, their original plan was to put the sled parking way down the hill and put a groomed trail thru a proposed wilderness area. It would also have put us in direct conflict with cross country skiers and snow shoers. The only reason the forest service was looking at this option was because they were doing some logging down there and it was easy for them to put the lot there.

The option was brought up to move it to a higher location and move it back off the road as to be out of sight of the road. This was accepted by all parties present which included skiers and snowshoers who thought getting us farther away was a great idea. This option also removed any possibility that the sledding out of the greenrock area would be subject to wilderness violations and riding from the lower lot would have been dependant on the grooming. When grooming started, riding could start, when grooming ended, riding ended. Not good.

Also, the rules are different between forest service rules and scenic byway rules. What ever improvements they do can't detract from the scenic drive and a huge parking lot within easy eyesight of the road was unacceptable. So what ever they do has to be set back and away from the road as to be unseen.

any clicky? or snail mail only?

Anyone, Bueller? Bueller?

I'm the most technologically challenged person I know (only because by the time I get around to pulling myself away from work and family to learn some new stupic gadget, the gadget is outdated, and I have to pay more money to boot to buy the next new stupid gadget.) But I do know e-mail has been around for a long time and e-mail "saves the trees."

So can we comment via e-mail? I saw nothing on the web site. Snail mail only? Maybe I'll hand deliver it via the Pony Express while pulling my sled.

Option 1 I spose. Anything short of banning and hammering our sport is a good thing I think.

Eric

MNpowderfiend said:

Anyone, Bueller? Bueller?

I'm the most technologically challenged person I know (only because by the time I get around to pulling myself away from work and family to learn some new stupic gadget, the gadget is outdated, and I have to pay more money to boot to buy the next new stupid gadget.) But I do know e-mail has been around for a long time and e-mail "saves the trees."

So can we comment via e-mail? I saw nothing on the web site. Snail mail only? Maybe I'll hand deliver it via the Pony Express while pulling my sled.

Option 1 I spose. Anything short of banning and hammering our sport is a good thing I think.

Eric

Click to expand...

Re-read post #4 on this thread

comments-rocky-mountain-medicine-bow-routt-brush-creek-hayden "@" fs.fed.us

MNpowderfiend said:

Anyone, Bueller? Bueller?

Option 1 I spose. Anything short of banning and hammering our sport is a good thing I think.

Eric

Click to expand...

You may want to reread the proposal. This is many different projects to improve the byway in different locations. There is only one improvement #4 which pertains to snowmobiling.

These are not all possible snowmobile parking locations!!!!

got it, thanks. it helps if i read all the posts.

i meant option number 1 of item #4 that tmk50 said in his post. sorry i didn't clarify.

thanks for the posts and concerns for our sport.

Eric

It is my opionion that even a larger dedicated lot will help relieve highway parking but there is no way they could build a lot big enough for everybodies rig. They surely will still have overflow going down the hwy.

Himark said:

It is my opionion that even a larger dedicated lot will help relieve highway parking but there is no way they could build a lot big enough for everybodies rig. They surely will still have overflow going down the hwy.

Click to expand...

If we can get the parking lot built, they can always expand it.
Now during the holidays, exspecially christmas to newyears, there will be overflow parking, but at least it won't be 3 miles down the road.

If we can get a lot that can park 100 rigs, that will help A LOT.
Pretty much anything is better than what we have now.

Ollie said:

As TMK said, their original plan was to put the sled parking way down the hill and put a groomed trail thru a proposed wilderness area.

Click to expand...

As I have pulled as much as I could find on this proposal, everybody needs to get on board on this ASAP. The following is direct from earlier communications regarding the proposals:

4) Develop off-highway snowmobile parking lot/trailhead in place of current parking along
Highway 130 (i.e., Green Rock overflow parking)
• Issue a Supervisor’s Order to prohibit parking along the Scenic Byway during the winter
months
• Construct a new snowmobile parking lot across from Hanging Lake. The size of the lot
will be limited by existing geographical features
• Develop a connector trail for snowmobiles operating on snow from the new parking lot to
the main snowmobile trail system near Green Rock. The trail may be located within the
Snowy Range Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA)

I'm back. This was based on what was identified as Opportunities driving this plan as follows:
OPPORTUNITIES
Management
1. Develop a plan to address/manage beetle activity
2. Increase winter non-motorized areas – potentially prohibit motorized activity
south of the highway prior to Green Rock in winter
3. Construct additional fencing to keep cattle off of the Byway
4. Limit the number of vehicles permitted to park along the Byway during the
winter

Opportunities
Recreation Facilities
1. Replace or improve Centennial visitor information center
2. Improve Brush Creek visitor information center (landscaping
parking, signage, etc.)
3. Improve Hanging Lake pullout and construct trail around the
lake; maintain/improve impoundment structure
4. Bring existing recreation facilities up to standard: replace old
toilets, tables, etc.
5. Pave loops within campgrounds
6. Designate sites, loops, and/or campgrounds specific to RV
users
7. Install electrical hook-ups at campgrounds
8. Open campgrounds earlier (additional or earlier snowplowing)
9. Reconstruct and enlarge Silver Lake Campground
10.Develop off-highway snowmobile parking lot/trailhead in place
of current parking along Highway 130 (i.e., Green Rock area)

WRITE LETTERS SOON AND GET YOUR SLED BUDDIES GOING AS WELL. ESPECIALLY POINT OUT THAT ADDITIONAL PARKING IS NEEDED TO MATCH THE CAPACITY THAT IS BEING SEEN IN CURRENT YEARS THAT IS NECESSARY FOR YOU TO SHOW UP AT SNOWY RANGE AND HAVE A PLACE TO PARK; AS HIGHWAY PARKING MAY, AND THIS IS MY INTERPERTATION, BE PROHIBITED!!!!


YOU NOW HAVE 30 DAYS-1WEEK= 23 DAYS LEFT!!

Snowmobile parking area??

So do we need to specify which parking area we are in support of, the purposed area just past the switchback turns below Green Rock Picnic Ground (#4 Alt-1) or the new area above the Snowy Range Ski Area (#4 Alt-2)? The paperwork I received does not specify and my thoughts are this could be the FS method of splitting those in favor of snowmobiling (divide and conquer) to justify not following through with anything on #4.
Thanks

He!! yes I'm parinoid, but with the current administration it is justifiable.

Powderdreams

Powderdreams said:

So do we need to specify which parking area we are in support of, the purposed area just past the switchback turns below Green Rock Picnic Ground (#4 Alt-1) or the new area above the Snowy Range Ski Area (#4 Alt-2)?

Click to expand...

In my letter I told them I would be OK with either location, but that I preferred the switchback location.

Issue that I can think of for Alt 1:
- Not as sheltered from the wind/weather

Issue for Alt 2:
- Increased traffic on the ski area access road - especially on busy weekends when the lot is full, rigs will be going in and out of there along with the ski traffic (assuming that they will have us use the ski area road for access)

Either way - by the language in the FS letter it looks like there will be a decision on what they are going to do by this November, and the work will start next summer (see paragraph on middle of page 5) - but it does say they can decide not to implement any of the proposed actions, so 'do nothing' is still on the table....

tk

Have they started the construction at either the Albany parking lot or chains end parking area??