What's been going on on the Westside Road? We've been watching and waiting for years but this year the road work has taken a substantial shot in the arm.
Take the easy access up the Westside Rd of the Nisqually entrance of Mt. Rainier with plenty of parking 3 miles in.
Next, walk up the road adjacent to Tahoma Creek, you'll see the road is not only under repair it looks like a regrade of the slope and widening, perhaps in preparation for opening to the public and additional parking and access to trails that have been long forgotten by all but a few. After signs of rock movement and new bridges we can only hope and dream!
To those new to this area, cars used to have access to drive this road annually to trailheads of Klapatche Park, the Tahoma Suspension Bridge, Indian Henry's Hunting Ground and Emerald Ridge until the mighty Tahoma took over.
Gobbler's Knob TH also has sections marked off in anticipation of a facelift too. We met two rangers on the way down from the fire lookout Sunday afternoon.
We continue to wish for this dream to come true to those that love this park.
Happy for the new found funding geared toward access as so many are out enjoying the trails.
A wonderful day... blueberries, thimble berries and huckleberries YUM.
Comments
LuHBR on Gobblers Knob, Lake George
Great report Lisa. Fun hiking with you today. Lu
Posted by:
LuHBR on Sep 26, 2021 10:19 PM
Lisa Elliott on Gobblers Knob, Lake George
Nice hiking again with you as well, Lu.
Posted by:
Lisa Elliott on Sep 27, 2021 07:09 AM
glucas on Gobblers Knob, Lake George
Wonder is this isn't part of the push to give more hiking options/ parking in the Paradise area to help with the congestion/ crowds up at Paradise.
Posted by:
glucas on Sep 27, 2021 12:35 PM
Lisa Elliott on Gobblers Knob, Lake George
We were throwing around a lot of ideas as we walked up to the TH :) Let's keep hoping~
Posted by:
Lisa Elliott on Sep 27, 2021 01:02 PM
Old Dave on Gobblers Knob, Lake George
I've wondered the same thing about the Westside Road the last several years. Heck, they drive sedans all the way to the end of the road, now. They had geologists conducting a study there earlier this year, Maybe they are looking at ways to mitigate the risk of floods down Tahoma Creek. Building a new Tahoma Creek Trail, would be a great thing, too. I have done the Emerald Ridge Loop several times, but the last couple years I have not managed to get up through the creek washouts.
Posted by:
Old Dave on Sep 28, 2021 07:46 PM
Lisa Elliott on Gobblers Knob, Lake George
I used to love the Tahoma Trail up the Fish Creek side of the creek to the bridge. There were new warning signs not to go up the section once again this year. Let's hope for improved and safe access next year.
Posted by:
Lisa Elliott on Sep 28, 2021 08:21 PM
wolfwoman on Gobblers Knob, Lake George
I hate to rain on anyone's parade, but I spoke with one of the workmen up there last summer and asked if this was a plan to open the road up again to recreationists and he said they will never do that. I asked why all the new grading and repair work, and he shrugged and said he didn't know, but maybe to keep access open to the park service. I hope he's wrong.
Posted by:
wolfwoman on Sep 30, 2021 06:01 PM
Kwa829 on Gobblers Knob, Lake George
I disagree with those who seem to be hoping for a reopening of Westside Road to vehicular traffic. There is precious little safe bicycling opportunity at Mt. Rainier or in fact the entire National Park System (usually-shoulder-less park roads open to bicycling are neither safe nor enjoyable). I really like the bike-hike combo opportunities presented by Westside Road and Carbon River Road. And I kind of like the eeriness of "ghost parking lots". And I like the concept of having to "earn your way" to a trailhead.
I would maybe be OK with opening Westside Road to vehicles a few days each year with a limited number of permits drawn by lottery with maybe some preference to senior citizens and the disabled. I would also be OK with granting vehicle access to family members of those memorialized at the Marine Memorial just past the Gobbler's Knob Trailhead.
A dream would be to link the Westside Road to the Mowich Lake area, and my ultimate dream would be an "outer Wonderland Trail" loop suitable for bicycling.
I agree with those who would like to see the Tahoma Creek trail restored.
Posted by:
Kwa829 on Oct 25, 2021 09:42 PM