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tkalakay
May 4, 2006, 1:25 AM
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Registered: Apr 7, 2006
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Bozeman Pass Enthusiasts,
Parking for the Bozeman Pass was officially closed today, May 3, 2006 by the Montana Department of Transportation.
This action was precipitated by the closure of two lanes of I-90 for construction. There were a number of complaints from motorists about cars pulling out of the parking lot into traffic. The highway patrol also contacted the MDOT after a few close calls and insisted that the parking area be closed.
Until now, MDOT and the Southwest Montana Climbers' Coalition (SMCC) had an understanding (albeit not binding) that the lot would remain open until we knew the outcome of the Schmidt land acquisition and conservation project. But the problems caused by the construction trumped that understanding. The acquisition provides the best possibility at this point for a long-term solution to the parking problem.
In the meantime we must not compound the problem by parking illegally along I-90. Besides, the MDOT will ticket any illegally parked vehicles along that stretch. In the nearly 50 replies to this post, most have expressed a positive interest in keeping the Bozeman Pass open to climbing. Keep up the good work! Please join SMCC and help us regain our access.
Thanks.
-Tom Kalakay
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trevzilla
May 4, 2006, 5:17 AM
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Registered: Sep 24, 2004
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Well, that is a bummer. Hopefully it'll open back up after construction. What about the parking for Frog Rock though? There is a "wide vehicles only" exit a couple miles before the frog rock parking area that it seems climbers could take, and still be able to park on the eastbound side. I think it is a VERY bad idea to attempt to cross the freeway in this area, but can we park on that side to climb frog rock itself?
I guess it is not that far to the next exit anyways though. If we can't park on the eastbound side, I'll just hike from the exit. I'd say this is doable for anyone wanting to climb the pass in general too.
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lextalion
May 4, 2006, 6:15 AM
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Registered: Apr 28, 2005
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Frog Rock is one of the places that I cut my teeth climbing seriously in the early eighties. Use to go out there and climb on weekends with friends. Can remember many a time climbing the with a backpack full of beer so that we could enjoy it from the summit.
Who cared how we got down, that was minor issue for us kids then.
I'll have to ensure I write in support of this area, as I have recently considered a trip where I bring my boys to some of my ole stomping grounds, for some climbing.
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b2boy
May 7, 2006, 12:05 AM
Post #54 of 61
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Registered: May 6, 2006
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I think I can speak for most of the climbers in Bozeman in saying that yes the Bozeman pass might not be the best quality of rock but it's definitely the best and closest area to crank. For myself, Bozeman pass has allowed me to become much stronger. It's also a great place for after work/school climbing. It's what we've got and we need to respect that. So, I don't think it's a waste of tax dollars.
B-
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mojede
May 12, 2006, 3:21 AM
Post #55 of 61
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Registered: Apr 28, 2006
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I have sent in my letter, and sincerely hope for the good of all human-powered recreation in the Pass area. I was not too surprised to see the closure, and was in awe that it did not happen sooner (after the Dragon's Back signage ?). Realize that there are individuals and organizations working hard to acquire access to, and develop new climbing areas. Other close crags (Allenspur and Scorched Earth) are sure to feel the influx of more climbers and with this goes a reminder: STAY ON ACCESS TRAILS, PARK RESPONSIBLY, AND APPRECIATE THE AREAS THAT ARE OPEN.
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tyify
Oct 18, 2006, 3:08 PM
Post #56 of 61
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Registered: Apr 22, 2003
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http://dailychronicle.com/articles/2006/10/18/breakingnews/20rock.txt
It's opening again! It worked!
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atpeaceinbozeman
Oct 18, 2006, 5:19 PM
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Registered: Oct 17, 2002
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w00t!
This is great news!
Thanks to everyone who wrote letters, emails, as well as those who helped keep this on the FP.
Cheers,
Tom
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kylekienitz
Oct 18, 2006, 6:58 PM
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Registered: Apr 25, 2005
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Yes this is exciting!!
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mbg
Oct 19, 2006, 2:34 AM
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Registered: Apr 17, 2003
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It would be great news if half the information in that article were correct. Unfortunately the Bozeman Comical has published another doozy. A few of the most glaring inaccuracies:
-The Gallatin County Commission's vote had nothing to do with the USFS/climbing access deal. The Schmidt easement, which they did address, does not include any of the crags.
-The Trust for Public Land had was a minor player at best in establishing the Schmidt easement; no credit was given to the Gallatin Valley Land Trust who actually made it all happen.
-The USFS deal is at least a month away.
Regardless, a big pat on the back to those who wrote letters, emails, etc. A final resolution should be just around the corner.
Bryan
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dharmatreez
Oct 23, 2006, 1:32 PM
Post #60 of 61
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Registered: Oct 25, 2005
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just interested in knowing (could not find the article at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle) if the land deal is a "land grab" as in eminent domain, or is it just the legal issues of large land sales to the feds. if the hold up is that the current landowner (is it a private or company holding) does not want to sale then, i think that should have been mentioned when starting the post, so then people can make up their minds what the situation is and how they feel about the "theft" of private property by the govt and usefull idiots, but if it is just the "red-tape", then just be PATIENT. i do conservation work and trail maintenance for the North Country Trail and will be waiting for the better part of two to three years for an enviromental impact statement (that will take only about 6 field hours) before building a trail shelter that took a little over a year to get permission for. just the way the park service and USFS works. they do good work, just not quick
now there seems to be a parking issue, how is this going to be resolved if the area is secured as public. will there be an enviromental impact in the area with a new access road and parking area. if the land is acquired and no new parking is available will the MO DOT allow parking again? with the new land is there oppurtunities for other outdoor activities that would increase traffic, if so what is the impact with the new influx?
just some questions and thoughts from a struggling PA climber always looking for a PUBLIC rock to climb
seems like everything here is sitting on a property line, access through private property, etc... so i deal with this quite abit
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atpeaceinbozeman
Oct 23, 2006, 3:02 PM
Post #61 of 61
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In reply to: ....if the hold up is that the current landowner (is it a private or company holding) does not want to sale then, i think that should have been mentioned when starting the post, so then people can make up their minds what the situation is and how they feel about the "theft" of private property by the govt and usefull idiots...
Just to clarify, that is not the case.
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