Crystal springs snopark entrance and exit changes

[JETJOHNSO]

To all users of the Crystal springs snopark at Stampede Pass. The forest service has informed us of some changes on the exit and entrance paths for all users, skiers, dog sledders, snow shoers, and snowmobilers. These changes have been made to seperate motorized use at the most conjested places. Please abide by there wishes and follow the guides. It's just a safety issue in this heavy use snopark. Here is the official statement. They are not "picking" on us or anything like that. Just a safety issue



803 West 2nd Street
Cle Elum, WA 98922
Public Affairs Office:
(509) 852-1062; Fax (509) 852-1080
Visit our website at www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee NEWS RELEASE

Date: December 10, 2008
Subject: Crystal Springs Sno-Park
Contact: Kim Larned (509) 852-1062

Visitors to Crystal Springs Sno-Park will notice new signs this winter. According to Dave Lent, acting Winter Recreation Coordinator for the Cle Elum Ranger District, the improved signage will clearly direct users to the appropriate exits for their type of recreation. “Due to the high popularity of all winter sports at Crystal Springs Sno-Park, we saw a need to designate lanes to enhance public safety and prevent collisions,” said Lent.
The Forest Service has been working with Lake Easton State Park, Washington State Winter Recreation Program, Kittitas County Snowmobile Grooming Council, and Central Cascades Winter Recreation Council to design and implement a travel plan. Snowmobiles will have a designated exit on the south side of the Sno-Park which will lead them to Stampede Road #54, and skiers will utilize another exit on the north side. The Stampede Road will be groomed, with lanes designated for about a mile to increase safety. “These improvements will not decrease access or negatively affect recreation opportunities,” Lent said. “We’ll be monitoring the effectiveness of the new signing, and will make adjustments as needed.”

For more information, please contact the Cle Elum Ranger Station at (509) 852-1011.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

Change scares me....


Somebody hold me !

 

[Macattack]

The Stampede Road will be groomed, with lanes designated for about a mile to increase safety.

Are you kidding me? Restricted lanes? This will be interesting to see. Get the popcorn out and watch the carnage.

 

[Lake Cle Elum]

This was discussed in length at the Groomer meeting in Cle Elum last monday. It actually makes a lot of sense. As explained there, the one mile stretch of FS Rd 54 is the most congested winter recreation area in the state.....It's designed to keep the "motorized" and "non-motorized' users their own area and keep everyone safe.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

This was discussed in length at the Groomer meeting in Cle Elum last monday. It actually makes a lot of sense. As explained there, the one mile stretch of FS Rd 54 is the most congested winter recreation area in the state.....It's designed to keep the "motorized" and "non-motorized' users their own area and keep everyone safe.

Does this mean that only the tax dollars and permits paid by the stick walkers will go to grooming their own area so the money from sledders stays in grooming ours?

Will it also mean that there will be enough space between the click clicks and sledders so the few that like to try to spear us with their poles can't reach us?

I already know the answer to that.

Yes, I know...This was a waste of a reply!

 

[V-Man]

It may be the most congested area in the state, however I've never seen a single issue with the way it is now. Are they going to put in HOV lanes too?

 

[12pawdrive]

FWIW us dog mushers have to use a little section of that road to access our loops. I've never had a problem with snowmobiles in there to date. ??? I would have been happy with people just slowing down a bit within a couple miles of the parking area as that would most likely solve 90%+ of any issues, and it seems like most folks do that already.

BIG thanks to the hundreds of snomo folks that we've met out there over the years... the vast, overwhelming majority of you have been really great. I'm the chick on sticks hooked up to 3 hunting dogs waving and smiling when you went by.

Also a shout out to the groomers here in the I-90 corridor... I've often been out running dogs at night and it's just me and the big snow cat rumbling around out there. Whoever's grooming Taneum/Elk heights needs to PM me, I've got LONG overdue beer for him (or maybe someone can point me in the right direction).

 

[Lake Cle Elum]

Also a shout out to the groomers here in the I-90 corridor... I've often been out running dogs at night and it's just me and the big snow cat rumbling around out there. Whoever's grooming Taneum/Elk heights needs to PM me, I've got LONG overdue beer for him (or maybe someone can point me in the right direction).

DozenPawDr:

1) I PM'ed you the email of one of the groomers that works Taneum/Elk Heights a few nights per week.

2) If you're not aware, Log trucks have been coming out of Elk Heights starting in Sept. - They are scheduled to work all winter. This will have a great impact on that road. They plan to grade it down to 4" of snow on Friday's, so recreation users can have it on the weekend. The problem is, 4" is not much and it will go soon. Mid-week will be a mess. They are working mainly between the Sno-Park and Sky Meadows. G'luck...