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06-07-2007, 05:39 PM
JEFFREY P. MAYOR
The News Tribune
Published: June 7th, 2007 01:00 AM
Federal bridge engineers were expected in Mount Rainier National Park early this week to gauge the status of the Tahoma Creek bridge on the Wonderland Trail.
Trail crews last week discovered that supporting cables at one end of the suspension bridge may have been weakened by flooding last November.
“If it’s not safe, we’ll have to shut it down,” said park superintendent Dave Uberuaga.
If the bridge cannot be crossed, it would cut the Wonderland Trail on the park’s west side.
“It’s another big surprise. That bridge is so crucial to the hike,” Uberuaga said.
TRAIL STATUS
As the snow melts, crews are discovering more damage to the parks trails.
Uberuaga said more damage was found on trails in Stevens Canyon.
“Every day a new one comes up. I think it’s going to be another couple of weeks before we see everything,” he said.
Staff at the park are posting a status map on the park Web site that provides updates on damage done to trails, campgrounds, bridges and other facilities.
The site is www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/upload/knowntraildamagered.pdf.
STEVENS CANYON ROAD
Despite earlier concerns, the Stevens Canyon Road will be open this season.
Last weekend, vehicles were allowed on the road from the Paradise Valley Road to Reflection Lakes.
Crews are working to install concrete barriers at the location of one slide near the Stevens Canyon entrance in the southeast corner of the park. Traffic will be limited to one lane.
Crews hope to have the full length of the road open by June 15.
HIGHWAY 123 ACCESS
Although the road up the east side of the park will be closed and gated to vehicle traffic from the Stevens Canyon entrance north, hikers and bicyclists will be able to use the road. Access will be allowed north beyond the gate until contractors start repair work sometime in July or August.
Once repair work begins, public access will be allowed only on Sundays.
source: http://www.thenewstribune.com/soundlife/story/80662.html
The News Tribune
Published: June 7th, 2007 01:00 AM
Federal bridge engineers were expected in Mount Rainier National Park early this week to gauge the status of the Tahoma Creek bridge on the Wonderland Trail.
Trail crews last week discovered that supporting cables at one end of the suspension bridge may have been weakened by flooding last November.
“If it’s not safe, we’ll have to shut it down,” said park superintendent Dave Uberuaga.
If the bridge cannot be crossed, it would cut the Wonderland Trail on the park’s west side.
“It’s another big surprise. That bridge is so crucial to the hike,” Uberuaga said.
TRAIL STATUS
As the snow melts, crews are discovering more damage to the parks trails.
Uberuaga said more damage was found on trails in Stevens Canyon.
“Every day a new one comes up. I think it’s going to be another couple of weeks before we see everything,” he said.
Staff at the park are posting a status map on the park Web site that provides updates on damage done to trails, campgrounds, bridges and other facilities.
The site is www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/upload/knowntraildamagered.pdf.
STEVENS CANYON ROAD
Despite earlier concerns, the Stevens Canyon Road will be open this season.
Last weekend, vehicles were allowed on the road from the Paradise Valley Road to Reflection Lakes.
Crews are working to install concrete barriers at the location of one slide near the Stevens Canyon entrance in the southeast corner of the park. Traffic will be limited to one lane.
Crews hope to have the full length of the road open by June 15.
HIGHWAY 123 ACCESS
Although the road up the east side of the park will be closed and gated to vehicle traffic from the Stevens Canyon entrance north, hikers and bicyclists will be able to use the road. Access will be allowed north beyond the gate until contractors start repair work sometime in July or August.
Once repair work begins, public access will be allowed only on Sundays.
source: http://www.thenewstribune.com/soundlife/story/80662.html