[pct-l] Bus to Stehekin

[frankgilliland at comcast.net]

Here is last years schedule for the BUS.  It looks like the bus still may
run to High Bridge.  From what I read below, ONLY the section of road above
Car Wash Falls (MP 12.9) [the Upper Stehekin Valley Road] is closed!

There is some trail and bridge problems, however.  I will try to find out
more details.

StarMan

http://www.stehekin.biz/bus_schedule.htm


**********************************************************

North Cascades National Park News Release
Release Date: August 16, 2006
For Immediate Release

National Park Service to Close the Upper Stehekin Valley Road in North
Cascades National Park

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Upper Stehekin Valley Road,
Car Wash Falls (MP 12.9) to Cottonwood Camp (MP 22.8)

North Cascades National Park Superintendent Bill Paleck announced the
signing of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for closing the
Upper Stehekin Valley Road in North Cascades National Park. Paleck said:
"This decision concludes lengthy planning and recovery efforts following the
extensive flood damage 2 ½ years ago. We anticipate keen interest in this
decision because this is a place important to many people who care deeply
about the North Cascades." 

An October 2003 storm caused a 500-year flood on the Stehekin River and
extensive damage to property in the Stehekin Valley, including the Stehekin
Valley Road. A smaller flood in 1995 damaged the furthest 2 miles of this
road, which extends 22.8 miles from the Stehekin Landing in Lake Chelan
National Recreation Area on Lake Chelan to Cottonwood Camp in North Cascades
National Park.
The FONSI records the decision of the National Park Service to close the
road at Car Wash Falls (MP 12.9) as described in Alternative B in the
Environmental Assessment. The National Park Service has determined that road
closure at Car Wash Falls (mile post 12.9) will not have a significant
effect on the human environment; therefore, an environmental impact
statement will not be prepared. Road decommissioning is expected to begin in
late summer 2006. Visitors will continue to have non-mechanized trail access
to the Stehekin River and Upper Stehekin Valley via portions of the Pacific
Crest Trail and sections of the former road. 

The National Park Service released the Environmental Assessment (EA) on
March 29, 2006 for a 60-day public review and comment period. It also
convened public meetings in Stehekin, Chelan and Seattle to summarize the EA
and answer questions about the proposal. A total of 260 public comments were
received. Key concerns included loss of vehicle access to important parts of
the park, reduced access for those with physical disabilities, complaints
about high cost and perceived unreasonable alternatives. Many comments
proposed an additional alternative for road reconstruction within the
non-wilderness corridor. An ongoing landslide in close proximity to the
Stephen Mather Wilderness boundary, however, renders that alternative
infeasible. 

To request a hard copy of the FONSI package, please write to: North Cascades
Superintendent, Attn: Upper Stehekin Valley Road FONSI, State Route 20,
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284, e-mail NOCA_Superintendent at nps.gov , fax to
360.856.1934. Or, download the documents from:
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/noca 
-NPS-