The Forest Service is closing sections of the Suiattle Road (Forest Service road 26) to vehicle traffic for culvert replacement upgrades. Each closure will stop traffic coming from Darrington blocking access to Glacier Peak and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The Suiattle will close at milepost 2 from Sept. 7-10. It will close at milepost 4.2 twice, from Sept. 13-24 and again from Sept. 27-30. Then, there will be periodic daily closures from Oct. 4-30.

“The Suiattle Road is the main access in the area for hikers going into the west side of the Glacier Peak Wilderness,” said Gary Paull, wilderness and trails specialist. "The Suiattle Trail connects to the Pacific Crest Trail and other trails leading to popular destinations of Trinity and Holden Village in the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, Stehekin in the North Cascades National Park. Mountaineers planning on the famous Ptarmigan Traverse need to be aware that the road closure will be 20 miles down the road from Downey Creek Trailhead where they exit this route."

For updates on the Suiattle Road closures, call the Darrington Ranger District at 360-436-1155.

Took my bike down the Suiattle Yesterday. Day started off a little cold, but after I passed Buck Creek Campground I started to warm up. The Air Force was out yesterday; doing their practice runs right above tree level. So that was fun. All of a sudden you would hear a low rumble and before you knew it the ground was shaking and you could look up and see the belly of a jet. They must have flown over five times while I was out. No one was parked at the road end wash out gate, but there was a USFS car down by the gate near Downey Creek. At Downey Creek they took out the good strong bridge that went up to the actual Downey Bridge and replaced it with some trashy looking one. It is made from a couple alders and branches. They also nailed some sheets of plywood down and covered them with dirt and rocks. I do not know why, most likely for USFS ATV travel. This new bridge is a lot more difficult to get up, but I managed. I made it to Sulphur Creek with no issues and started down the trail. Almost immediately there are some blow down. Nothing to difficult but you must go over or around. The trail is a little faint in the begging, but becomes more defined as you continue. The entire trail is in ok condition: some erosions, some slope issues, some blow downs, but for the most part easy and quick. The trip back was a breeze, saw another USFS truck by Downey Creek and was able to make it back to the car within the hour. So like always long live the Suiattle and I hope Mother Nature destroys the road!!!!!

I biked out to the Sulphur Creek TR today. It took me no time at all. Only two hours to bike there and one hour back. I spent two hours hiking the N side of sulphur creek (the side without the trail) in hopes to locate the Sulphur Hot Springs. Well like most other people I came up empty handed. The N side is very difficult with a lot of very difficult terrain to cover. I probably only went up .5 miles but it was through some very thick brush. Plus there was a lot of ice in the shade so it made walking on logs and rocks dangerous. Man I love the Suiattle. Like most days out on the Suiattle I was far from the only person. I counted at least 12 other people in about 7-8 cars.

I would like to post this again. In hopes more people will call into the forest service and complain. You probably wont, but it is the right thing to do.

Well congratulations! Thanks to all the complainers the FS is fixing the Suiattle River Road. So congrats! You have officially destroyed one of the most remote wilderness sections in the lower 48. Was it because it was so difficult to ride your bike the 10-12 FLAT miles to the end of the road? In no other section in the state did I feel more at peace and alone then on that road and up Downey Creek. But now we can all share it together. I hope it is just like the insane crowds on the Mountain Loop Highway. Oh joy wouldn’t that be fun! Sharing the trail with twenty or thirty complete strangers. J And think it was because we were too lazy to walk before. All in all I feel this is a terrible decision why must are trails be so short, our wilderness areas so small, and trails so crowded. You people who like you weekend trips up to Goat Lake fine. I DO NOT! I like my week trip up Downey creek up to Bachelor Meadows. I like my week exploring the Milk Creek Valley. I enjoyed these hikes by myself or with a few other hikers not with thirty other people. So again thank you! Maybe we should just develop and pave over the whole cascades.

And

In no way do I enjoy the Suiattle River Valley to my lonesome. I have counted upwards of twenty cars at one time last summer at the road barrier. All I simply want is to keep all you weekend warriors out. All you people who come with your dogs, families, cars, and GARBAGE. I am not sure of you, but I have actually gone out to the Mountain loop without the intent of hiking. I have gone out there simply to pick up the garbage you weekenders leave behind. I do not wish to keep this valley to myself. By all means if you have the passion for the “WILD” like I do come out and enjoy. But leave this valley to people who actually like the wilderness. There are enough locations around the state and Snohomish/Skagit County where you can drive to respectable trails and campgrounds. I do not believe the Suiattle valley should be one of those areas. Talk about thinking narrow mindedly, this valley and the Glacier Peak wilderness should not be left alone for me; the true reason it should be left alone is for the animals and nature. The Suiattle holds an impressive number of trout and salmon, and the area also boast and impressive amount of wildlife. How about caring more about nature and the animals then were you can drive to and dump your garbage. So thanks for sounding arrogant and I hope you can change you weekend warrior point of view.

Now I know all you people hate that I say this. Oh its so dumb. There is a lot of space up there. True. That is very true. But forget about yourselves and think about the fragile eco-systems and the wildlife. Maybe all you lazy people who think 15-20 miles is such a tough hike should stay in Seattle. You keep Rainer and the Olympics and leave this wilderness to the true outdoorsman. I have climbed to Green MTN. Bachelor Meadows, Milk Creek valley, and Image Lake while the road has been washed out. And ever time I have seen people.

People need to stop thinking with the point of view that are Forest Roads should drive up to these majestic lakes and Ridge lines. There are enough areas in the state where the trails are only the cream of the forest. The Suiattle River provides a buffer zone that keeps crowds out and nature preserved.

Mark my words, this area will become infested with weekend worriers with all the trouble that follows them. Guns, Noise, Lose of habitat, Garbage, and another lost and devastated wilderness.