Maybe it worked!
FYI someone plowed Rt 35 from Nobletts parking lot up toward Wolf Creek
- Thread starter dude
- Start date
I called and left a message, this is the best avenue
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snengineer
Well-known member
I completely agree with you bcs. Honestly after talking to Jeff I think Guardsman pass is probably at the top of the list for roads to be opened. While I do not what this to happen so I can take a quick ride some days up Guardsman I think this route will be the first to go for us. It Sucks for sure and we can fight it to the end but I can see in the very near future Guardsman pass will be closed to sledders completely. It will be a sad day for sure because I have had some awesome days up there riding before work and those early morning rides after a good dump before work will be gone.
The more I think about it the more I think you are right, as far as the road being improved UDOT is simply waiting for that side of the Mtn pass to be developed so the people developing the area pay the bill to improve that section of road like the west side of the pass. I looked at some maps and the areas sleds ride are all private property, east and west side. So basically all the state needs is a developer with a project and the go ahead from Wasatch county (small glimmer of hope here this doesn't happen) and most likely this area will be completely cut off to snowmobiles by development.
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snengineer
Well-known member
Good news! It appears that the "message" is getting across, as has been stated the road will not be plowed the rest of the season but unfortunately the damage has been done, at least until winter decides to show up. I have heard from sources that indeed the decision makers at UDOT have made a very obvious mistake in the plowing the last couple weeks and have admitted so, that coupled with the input from the public (you guys) they are now aware of the mistakes made and look to fix the process. In fact officials from UDOT drove to wolf creek pass this last weekend and saw the mess they had created first hand and decided to not finish plowing the road which was going to be completed yesterday. thanks for your comments, keep sending them if you haven't yet, emails are listed they listen when concerns are voiced in the right channels. To quote one of the UDOT officials "I had no idea that this many people used this roadway to snowmobile or winter recreate" classic.
another note, Bob Westover is the person at UDOT heading up "pushing" the winter road openings study, contact him with your concerns regarding opening other winter routes in utah.
Westover, Robert 801 227-8011 rwestover@utah.gov
thanks again everyone!
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07SummitX800R
Well-known member
SR35 is closed to traffic officially until spring....
Mr. Willden
Thank you for taking time to express your interest in this issue. As a State department, UDOT recognizes its responsibility to the citizens of Utah and the general public and works to be responsive to questions and issues.
Given the recent concerns that have been raised about Wolf Creek pass along state Route 35 in the winter season - both with regard to its use as a highway and as a groomed recreational trail - we thought some background would be useful. Utah has nine high mountain roads that are closed seasonally each year. UDOT works to maintain a balance between managing its available resources for snow removal and the need to keep those particular roads open as long as possible. Each year can be different from the year before, given changes in snowfall at these locations and weather patterns at other locations throughout the state that also place a demand on snow removal resources.
Following its typical decision-making process, UDOT closed S.R 35 on Dec. 4 after having substantial snow fall in that area in late November. However, due to the low snowfall for most of December and upon learning from public and elected officials that people in the local communities had started using the road despite the snowpack, UDOT determined that the road could be cleared with a minimal effort and plowed the road on Dec. 18 and Jan. 3.
As part of its typical operations, the State Parks Division had been grooming the area for snowmobiling since the end of December, also fulfilling its public obligation. We acknowledge a miscommunication with State Parks, and we are working with them to prevent overlapping operations in the future. Both agencies were working to fulfill their public obligations, and we recognize the interests of both the traveling public and the recreational community in this issue. Both are important. UDOT is committed to a balanced approach that considers the needs of all users while keeping the roads safe for the traveling public.
<b>We regret any inconvenience this issue has caused the public and are now looking to the future. S.R. 35 remains closed for this season and will not be re-opened until spring conditions allow our crews to efficiently keep the pass safe. We do not plan to do additional snow removal operations until that time.</b>
Independently, and not related to the recent plowing of S.R. 35, UDOT has initiated an internal, technical study to look at the costs and benefits associated with opening seasonal roads through the winter. The study began in late 2013 and is scheduled to be complete in late spring/early summer 2014. This preliminary effort is an objective feasibility study to look at equipment, material and labor costs for snow plowing and additional maintenance if the roads stayed open. It will also look at the potential economic and user benefits associated with other uses. This comprehensive, statewide review will provide information to decision-makers so they can begin to establish decision-making procedures for all seasonal conditions. In the meantime, UDOT will follow its established decision-making process, evaluating each mountain pass and the conditions around each independently.
Again, thank you for taking time to express your concerns. We are committed to fulfilling our obligations to the public, and we work to balance all interests as we do so. Please let us know if you have further questions or input on the situation.
Sincerely,
Teri Newell
UDOT Region 3 Director
Mr. Willden
Thank you for taking time to express your interest in this issue. As a State department, UDOT recognizes its responsibility to the citizens of Utah and the general public and works to be responsive to questions and issues.
Given the recent concerns that have been raised about Wolf Creek pass along state Route 35 in the winter season - both with regard to its use as a highway and as a groomed recreational trail - we thought some background would be useful. Utah has nine high mountain roads that are closed seasonally each year. UDOT works to maintain a balance between managing its available resources for snow removal and the need to keep those particular roads open as long as possible. Each year can be different from the year before, given changes in snowfall at these locations and weather patterns at other locations throughout the state that also place a demand on snow removal resources.
Following its typical decision-making process, UDOT closed S.R 35 on Dec. 4 after having substantial snow fall in that area in late November. However, due to the low snowfall for most of December and upon learning from public and elected officials that people in the local communities had started using the road despite the snowpack, UDOT determined that the road could be cleared with a minimal effort and plowed the road on Dec. 18 and Jan. 3.
As part of its typical operations, the State Parks Division had been grooming the area for snowmobiling since the end of December, also fulfilling its public obligation. We acknowledge a miscommunication with State Parks, and we are working with them to prevent overlapping operations in the future. Both agencies were working to fulfill their public obligations, and we recognize the interests of both the traveling public and the recreational community in this issue. Both are important. UDOT is committed to a balanced approach that considers the needs of all users while keeping the roads safe for the traveling public.
<b>We regret any inconvenience this issue has caused the public and are now looking to the future. S.R. 35 remains closed for this season and will not be re-opened until spring conditions allow our crews to efficiently keep the pass safe. We do not plan to do additional snow removal operations until that time.</b>
Independently, and not related to the recent plowing of S.R. 35, UDOT has initiated an internal, technical study to look at the costs and benefits associated with opening seasonal roads through the winter. The study began in late 2013 and is scheduled to be complete in late spring/early summer 2014. This preliminary effort is an objective feasibility study to look at equipment, material and labor costs for snow plowing and additional maintenance if the roads stayed open. It will also look at the potential economic and user benefits associated with other uses. This comprehensive, statewide review will provide information to decision-makers so they can begin to establish decision-making procedures for all seasonal conditions. In the meantime, UDOT will follow its established decision-making process, evaluating each mountain pass and the conditions around each independently.
Again, thank you for taking time to express your concerns. We are committed to fulfilling our obligations to the public, and we work to balance all interests as we do so. Please let us know if you have further questions or input on the situation.
Sincerely,
Teri Newell
UDOT Region 3 Director
Can someone please put together a list of every possible contact along with e-mail and phone. Lets launch a campaign to inform these "decision" makers of how much Snowmobile community support there is to keep these roads closed!
D
dude
Well-known member
Good news on RT 35 for the time being.
Anyone get a good answer as to why they are not going to close and lock the gate like they have in the past? Road out of Soapstone / Mirror Lake yesterday and the Mirror Lake gate is closed and locked... why not the Rt 35 gates? Anyone hear a good reason from the state on that?
Anyone get a good answer as to why they are not going to close and lock the gate like they have in the past? Road out of Soapstone / Mirror Lake yesterday and the Mirror Lake gate is closed and locked... why not the Rt 35 gates? Anyone hear a good reason from the state on that?
The road won't be plowed anymore try is year and the gates will he closed when we get some more snow up there. Hopefully we get enough this week
UDOT did not close the gate on the Woodland side because of the low snow condition on the Hanna side of the road, you must drive 3 miles past the gate on the Hanna side to hit snow and a turn around at the Phelps brooks trail head. They said if one gate needs to be open both gates will stay open.
Chris from state Parks called me to night after the meeting with UDOT.
UDOT will not plowed anymore this year and the gates will be closed when we get more snow on the Hanna side.
State Parks will not groom Hwy 35 this weekend, they will look at grooming Hwy 35 on Monday .
As this study moves forward and there is public input, wouldn't it be wise to have an alternative plan in place? I think that the possibility of keeping this road and some others is very real. If that is the case, then new parking lots need to be built that provide direct access to Mill Hollow, Soapstone, etc. We certainly cannot just stand by and get bent over on this. Fine, you want to keep the road(s) open year round, then provide new parking lots/trailheads for the winter recreational users. JMHO
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Sleddin4Life
Member
Stay tuned for the 10 p.m. news tonight on ABC 4 Utah...just saw a preview they will be doing a story on how UDOT is already over halfway thru their plowing budget and winter is just arriving. They might as well keep pushing their heads further up their a$$ because it's more likely to pop out the other side than be pulled out.
gate was closed this morning. state actually groomed some of the road/trails, but you will still rub pavement in the middle. Ok on the edges where the snow drifted. snow was OK, but I expected great. Wind was BLOWING.
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