Glacier Creek Road Closed

[Dan_Miller]

Just noticed this bit of info on the WTA website: Bad news for north-side Mt. Baker Access.

 

Glacier Creek Road Closed

Posted by Steve Duda at Feb 18, 2009 11:25 AM | Permalink

Recent storm damage has washed out Glacier Creek Road, closing access to the Heliotrope Ridge trailhead and the Mt. Baker Vista Viewpoint. Glacier Creek Road (Forest Service Road 39) starts at mile post 35 off the Mt. Baker Scenic Highway (Scenic Route 542).

 

 

Road damage at Glacier Creek

“The rain and snow initiated a rock and debris flow down a creek drainage washing out half the road,” said Jim Mitchell, roads manager with the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. The road is closed at the Thompson Creek Bridge crossing eliminating recreational access.

“Glacier Creek Road is the access point to the Heliotrope Ridge trailhead and the Mt. Baker Vista Viewpoint,” said Mitchell. “Heliotrope Ridge Trail is a major climbing route to Mt. Baker, and Glacier Creek Road during winter becomes a snow park popular with snowmobilers,” he said. At this time there is no way to construct a temporary bypass.

“The road could be closed well into the summer season and may be open around August,” said Mitchell. “We will know more as soon as we can determine what can be built,” he said.

For further road and trail developments check the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/index.shtml.