ROAD IS BLOCKED.
Update thanks to a comment on this trip report. Private land owners aling this FS owned road are doing repairs and upgrades and the Forest Service is aware of the situation. It's unknown how long the closure will last, but it sounds like well into the summer.
THANK YOU to those who are working in the road! I hope that once it opens, people will be respectful of the land up there.
Origonal comment: Someone put up a gate just past the Carbon River so no one can pass. The Forest Service is looking into it as it was not them, but for now, it's blocked.
This is not my photo, I'm just passing along information for anyone that might be thinking of heading out to any hikes in that area.
Comments
greymstreet on Summit Lake
How serious a gate are we talking? Did you happen to take a picture
Posted by:
greymstreet on May 12, 2020 12:51 AM
Scratch_That_Hiking_Itch on Summit Lake
If it wasn't the forest service that put up the gate then it can be ripped down so people can get through. If it was just random people doing that.
Correct?
Posted by:
Scratch_That_Hiking_Itch on May 12, 2020 12:25 PM
Maddy on Summit Lake
That gate looks legit. They are probably doing road work (I hope) or logging (boo!). Just because an employee in the Forest service is not aware of whats going on means nothing.
Posted by:
Maddy on May 12, 2020 02:58 PM
Waggler on Summit Lake
A little background first.
This past February there was a major rain-on-snow event that caused widespread road damage on many forest roads. About 2.2 miles up this road there was a major road washout that was completely impassable to any type of wheeled vehicle. It would have taken the Forest service years, if ever, to repair the damage, there was and still is other major road damage between this spot and Copley Lake and the Summit Lake trailhead. The private land owners beyond the washout at 2.2 miles repaired this road damage at considerable expense, and are at present continuing to repair the upper portions of the road.
The company who put up the temporary gate is currently conducting logging operations on private land between 2.0 miles and 4.6 miles up the road. Once past the private land the road is still mostly snow covered up to Copley Lake and the Summit Lake Trailhead.
The Forest Service was aware that the private land owners were logging and intended to temporarily close the road due to safety issues which include; log truck traffic, tree falling along the road, heavy equipment operation along the road, and rock blasting along with other associated activities.
There is no place to park along the private section of road, and practically speaking, very little place to park beyond the private property up to the point where the road is impassable.
This closure is temporary and will likely last only through mid summer, after which the road will be reopened and will be in much better condition than it has been in years.
Posted by:
Waggler on May 12, 2020 03:25 PM
strong family on Summit Lake
Thank you for the information! I saw the notice on the local community page and wanted to share it as was told on there. I have updated my trip report.
Posted by:
strong family on May 12, 2020 03:52 PM
Waggler on Summit Lake
UPDATE, May, 16, 2020
You may or may not find the 7810 road open at this time, however if the road is open please be aware that there is an ongoing logging operation between mile 2.1 and mile 4.6, this section of road 7810 is on private property. All public access to Surprise lake is temporarily prohibited until logging activity ceases, due to public safety concerns. Also, be aware that significant traffic delays may occur along this section of road.
Posted by:
Waggler on May 16, 2020 04:35 PM
strong family on Summit Lake
Thank you for the update and the work you are putting in up there. I hope people can start respecting that area
Posted by:
strong family on May 16, 2020 05:24 PM