The road to Stair Case is Open

Yippeee! Just in time for morel season. But the gate right at Staircase is closed and we could not find any morels on Mount Rose. Date: May 1, 2007 http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic/news-nu/2007/04232007.shtml Public Affairs Office: Karl Denison (360) 956-2306 FAX (360) 956-2330 STAIRCASE ROAD TO OPEN OLYMPIA, WA – The U.S. Forest Service announced today the opening of Forest Service Road 24 at 2:00 p.m. The road has been closed by order since the Bear Gulch II Fire began in July of 2006. This precaution was necessary to prevent injury to the public from rock and debris slides, which have been triggered mainly by freeze/thaw weather cycles and fire damaged trees falling during storm events. The road is the main access point for the popular Staircase area and several summer homes located on the west-side of Lake Cushman. “Workers have removed hazard trees and cleared the road,” said Dean Yoshina, District Ranger for the Hood Canal District of the Olympic National Forest. Trees that were imminent hazards, many over 400 feet above the road were directionally felled contour to the slope. “A rock containment barrier has been placed in the area of greatest concern known as the Bowling Alley. This area also required a single lane roadway with traffic control signage,” said Yoshina. Bill Shelmerdine, Olympic National Forest Geotechnical Specialist has been monitoring the debris fall since the closure. He cautioned that the road may still require winter time closures, as conditions warrant. “We understand the inconvenience this has caused and I thank the homeowners who have property behind the gate and the recreational public for their patience,” said Yoshina. ###