bryce398 Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 Any on know what the best/ shortest approach is with all the Gate closures? Thanks for any info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryce398 Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 After some research I'm guessing it is FS#38, cross the middle fork and take the Elbow Lake trail to the lake, then bushwhack west? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curtveld Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 After some research I'm guessing it is FS#38, cross the middle fork and take the Elbow Lake trail to the lake, then bushwhack west? Yes it's up the #38 road, but Elbow Lake trail is waaaay too far, if you're headed to the West Ridge anyway. Several miles back, take a fork angling right to a log bridge over the MF Nooksack and a gate, usually locked. Proceed uphill on the logging road by foot or bike. There's a decent map in the Beckey guide and plenty of beta on the web (for example). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 He speaks the truth. I was up there a few days ago and have one extra piece of info. At a critical junction (where you will leave FR 38 and turn doen to the gated bridge) there also happens to be a substantial amount of rockfall onto the road. if you find yourself dodging large boulders in the roadway, and you just passed a right hand turn/veer, you've gone 100 ft too far. Back up and take the right branch. Also know that there has been substantial road "improvement" after the bridge. There was a section some described as brushy and impassible to a car. It is now a gravel superhighway. Bring a bike! No matter what season, even if you have to push it up. You'll be kicking youreslf on the way down if you don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryce398 Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share Posted January 5, 2014 I heard that the blue mtn gate was closed. So thanks for the updated approach info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curtveld Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 Blue Mountain road is a reasonable alternative, though less used. Though both gates are normally locked, you may find one open when being used for logging or the olivine mine. Though fiercely tempting, would NOT recommend driving through - you are likely to get nailed for illegal entry or locked in (been there, it sucks). Still, it's well worth the hike, ride or ski. The roads go so close to the alpine it would feel like cheating! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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