Mountain Loop Highway isn't

[chris]

Drove up to the Silverton area on Friday to recon the alpine ice and found out that the Mountain Loop Highway is washed out and closed 3.5 miles towards Darrington from Barlowe Pass. Of course, not many people drive the pass for an aproach, but the information might be good to know.

Also, several sections of the road between Granite Falls and Silverton have been severely undercut and narrowed down into one lane with multiple stop signs. I'd be surprised if this is on the fast track to get repaired, so be careful driving!

[JoshK]

Wow, and the last two days have been super rainy...I wonder if any more damage is present now..?

[olyclimber]

Mountain Loop Highway Environmental Assessment Completed April 14

 

April 17, 2006

 

The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (MBS) has completed the Environmental Assessment for the repairs to the Mountain Loop Highway. Acting District Ranger Phyllis Reed has made the decision to repair the road, which will restore the popular 50-mile long scenic byway between the towns of Darrington and Granite Falls.

 

The Environmental Assessment (EA) documentation is the first step in repairing the Mountain Loop’s four washouts along the South Fork of the Sauk River. Following a 45-day appeal period—and, with no appeal—repairs will begin this summer. Repairs include realigning sections of the road away from the South Fork Sauk River. In one location, a 60-foot bridge will span a severely washed out section. Plans include upgrading culverts and removing excess fill that could be washed into the river during the next flood event.

 

The Mountain Loop Highway is popular with young and old alike. Visitors are rewarded with spectacular views and a myriad of recreational opportunities along the entire route. “We are very excited about the completion of this EA” said Acting Ranger Reed. “The analysis was an extensive effort, with consideration given to addressing a variety of issues and public concerns, such as the stability of the road, the free flow of the river, and driving access provided by this unique loop road.”

 

The flood of 2003 dramatically affected the infrastructure of the northern part of the MBS. More than 40 roads and many popular trails were damaged or destroyed. The Darrington Ranger District sustained the most impacts, with five major road systems washed out and two bridges destroyed.

 

Fortunately, some roads and trails were less damaged, and the Forest Service was able to make repairs quickly. The remainder of miscellaneous repairs will be completed this summer. The major repairs are quite a different story, with complex analyses taking multiple years to complete. Just this year, three environmental assessments and decision notices, the Gold Mountain including the Mountain Loop have been completed. Two more will follow by the end of the year.

 

The Gold Mountain Road Repairs EA was completed in January. No appeals were received, which means that repairs to nine washouts and the replacement of the White Chuck Bridge will begin this summer. The project is expected to take two years.

 

The Suiattle Road 26 Repairs EA was completed on March 15, with the appeal period ending April 30. If no appeals are received, work is scheduled for this summer.

 

The White Chuck Road 23 EA is next in the queue for completion this spring. The Suiattle Road 25 Boundary Bridge assessment will be done by the Federal Highways Administration. Work on both proposed projects would begin in 2007.

 

Copies of the Mountain Loop Road Repair Environmental Assessment and the Decision Notice and FONSI may be viewed and/or downloaded from the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest website at: www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/projects/.

 

Copies may also be reviewed at the Darrington Ranger District Office in Darrington, WA (phone: 360-436-1155), and the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Mountlake Terrace, WA (phone: 425-744-3573).

[Alpinfox]

Ah.... that brings back a scary memory.

 

The Mtn Loop Hwy is washed out just north of the turnoff for Vesper Peak (Sunrise Mine, Forest Road 4065).

This came as quite a surprise to my partner and me as we were driving towards the Sloan Pk trailhead on Friday night. A strand of pink engineer's tape strung across the road was all that kept us from a 15-20' plunge in the Subaru.

 

Where did the road go?

 

End of the road:

 

Mountain Loop Hwy just north of FR 4065 (Vesper Peak/Sunrise Mine Trailhead).

[Mr._Natural]

[kenp]

Drove up to the Silverton area on Friday]

 

Is the gate still closed at Deer creek?

 

I think it's great news that the MLH will be repaired. It's a fun bike ride in summer with lots of nice places to hang out

[kenp]

gate is wide open at Deer creek, no snow on Perry Creek road all the way to the TH.