tradkelly
Sep 27, 2003, 4:11 AM
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Registered: Apr 7, 2003
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There is another discussion about this at http://mtncommunity.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=1391&forum=DCForumID1 if you want to read through some both useful and some flamey responses about it, as well as some additional helpful comments to put into any letter you send. Hope you'll take the time to read this and contribute your thoughts to the Forest Service. Thank you.
Hyalite Canyon, Montana Ice Climbing Access
From The Access Fund E-News #35, September 2003
Report Submitted by Joe Josephson
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The Gallatin National Forest is revising the “travel plan” for all roads and trail use across the Forest. There are 6 alternatives in the current draft. All but the “no change” Alternative 1 effectively eliminate ice climbing in the canyon by gating the road against vehicle access.
Please Comment by October 3, 2003.
Members of the Southwest Montana Climbers’ Coalition had a very productive meeting with cooperative input from the Forest Service. Based on those discussions, here is some suggested language for the comment form that will be helpful in maintaining if not improving ice climbing access in Hyalite Canyon. It is imperative a few key points are expressed in anything you write.
They are:
-- It is not acceptable for the road to be gated or otherwise blocked at the dam, regardless of whether or not the road is plowed as far as the dam.”
-- Hyalite Canyon is one of the best, concentrated and accessible ice climbing venue in the entire Northern Rockies region. I would continue to ice climb in Hyalite throughout the winter season into late March for as long as Road #62 remains accessible past the Reservoir.
Below is the range of options discussed with the Forest Service. Please include one of these in your comments.
- Plowing to Chisholm Campground (the campground at the East Fork turnoff) until March 31st and allowing vehicular access beyond that point to the Grotto Falls parking lot as long as conditions permit. (East Fork would be gated to provide a family ski loop.)
- Plowing to the Grotto Falls parking lot until mid-January, then until March 31st plowing to Chisholm Campground and allowing vehicular access beyond that point to the Grotto Falls parking lot as long as conditions permit. (East Fork would be gated to provide a ski loop.)
- Plowing to the Grotto Falls parking lot until March 31st. (East Fork would be gated to provide a ski loop.)
To view the complete draft packet, or to fill out a public comment form, visit the Gallatin NF website at: www.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin/travel_planning.
Please send your comments- they must be postmarked by October 3, 2003- to: Gallatin National Forest, Attn: Steve Christiansen, PO Box 130, Bozeman, MT 59771.
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