russman Posted February 3, 2005 Posted February 3, 2005 Hey all I have been looking around here on the site and also the WPS site and even the WCC site about more info for The Pinnacles Park this year. I know in one of the "climbing rags" last fall they had a blurb about the Fisher Fire and that there was gonna be clean up and maintenance this year to the park (so it might open late if at all). I was looking for actual up-to-date info, if anyone had any, about what might be going on. I figured this group might now. I guess next step if no replies woudl be the park Service. Thanx for any info or help Quote
max Posted February 3, 2005 Posted February 3, 2005 Word from the WSP (360.755.9231) is that the pinicles WILL be re-opening (tentatively; snow (ha ha!)) 3/18/05. Quote
russman Posted February 24, 2005 Author Posted February 24, 2005 (edited) Well, I got some info and I wanted to post up here to let others know... after contacting a few different member of the Parks Service...I finally got ahold of the Wenatchee Confluence Park Rangers, as they are in charge of the Pinnacles. Here is thier reply to my inquiries... Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Peshastin Pinnacles. Here is a quick summary to date of what has been accomplished to date as we move towards opening. September-Park closed for Safety evaluation and to allow PUD crews to replace burned power poles. October- WTA- Washington Trails Association volunteers worked for a week installing numerous rolling dips (to help in erosion and to control water run-off) in nearly all the trails. The did an outstanding job. On the 23rd of October, staff sponsored a work party for 'Make a Difference Day'. Over 40 volunteers re-widened trails, installed a few more needed dips and replaced a number of culverts. A bulldozer trail created when fixing power poles was raked out, dimpled, and seeded with native grass. Other crews worked on pruning and removing dead material from the trail as well as doing additional trail slope work. Also in late October, members of the Peshastin Pinnacles Advisory group toured the park with staff and visually inspected the climbing areas and routes. Our biggest concern was weather the fire would have had any impacts on any of the bolted routes. After close inspection, it was clear that the fire did not come close to any of the routes as there is basically no fuel available near the route staging areas. Advisory members stated they were not concerned and would climb the routes with no worry what so ever. They did make a commitment to, and were granted permission, to replace any needed bolts and make necessary repairs. This winter we have put Pinnacles to rest due to weather and other park priorities and have begun planning for Spring work. Currently Staff is again working with WTA to schedule a weeks worth of trail work focusing on switchback work and switchback barricade replacement. The areas of primary concern are the switchbacks on Grand central loop and the switchback barricades up to Dinosaur tower. WTA has tentatively indicated that the third week in March may work and we are still working out the details. We would like to let them in first and have them do as much as they can and give us an evaluation of what may still be needed. It is our hope that after the work is done by WTA, we can again open. It may be likely that we will open and perhaps have some trails still closed and schedule them for a work party. In any event, it is apparent from other climbers that once the trails are done, there has been an interest to continue work parties to focus on developing the staging areas better as well as developing better spur trails to many of the route staging areas. Right now I can not give a firm opening date. I am hoping if all the scheduling goes well we may be looking at the third week of March or perhaps just prior to April. This would only be a two week delay past our normal opening dates. Finally It is necessary to add a note about the vegetation that has burned. Much of the vegetation is coming back naturally. We do have a plan to begin planting native species such as bitterbrush, rabbit brush, and native grass plugs this fall. We are working with an Americorp crew out of Naches to accomplish this task. It is imperative that once we do open that we continue to educate everyone that the area is still fragile, soils are still unstable, and to prevent erosion and trail degradation we must prevent users from cutting switchbacks. I greatly appreciate your enthusiasm and offer of support. Sincerely Matt Morrison Wenatchee.Confluence@parks.wa.gov He is hoping to have another update in about a week or so, and I will see about posting it again. Edited February 24, 2005 by russman Quote
dbb Posted March 3, 2005 Posted March 3, 2005 cool, looks like we'll be able to use the park just in time for spring climbing... while it rains in the icicle Quote
rbwen Posted March 11, 2005 Posted March 11, 2005 Drove by it yesterday on my way to the Icicle (had it all to ourselves)...sign still says "Closed". rb - Wenatchee Quote
Freeman Posted March 11, 2005 Posted March 11, 2005 From the Ranger Park will open March 19th. Free parking that day to celebrate state parks 92 birthday. Also a notice about a trail work party The trails have held up well, and what > still needs work will be addressed soon. The Washington Trails Association > will be holding a "volunteer vacation" at Pinnacles. They will be doing > trail work March 26th to April 2nd to take care of much of the switchback > work. Anyone wishing to volunteer can sign up at the WTA web site at > www.wta.org <www.wta.org> . Quote
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