Lower Mulberry - fines for going around gate

[iYak]

Heard from a friend that there is a game camera set up at the gate that blocks the shoe run. Apparently they are giving out $250 tickets to people that are going around the gate.

While I understand the reasons for giving out tickets to people that go around gates, I do not understand why the access is blocked to begin with. That is the only access point for the lower Mulberry, and it's a great run. It's a short drive past the gate to the putin (but too long to carry boats and gear), it just doesn't make sense that they had to put a gate there.

One possible reason why they put up the gate would be they don't want to maintain that area(trash etc.). Our group (including everyone that pitched in on the Mulberry Trash Cleanup) does a pretty good job of keeping that whole area clean from Mill Creek all the way past Turner Bend. Can we accept responsibility to keep it clean in exchange for keeping the gate open?

Anyone know who we could talk to so we can get this important access open to the public?

[prophet]

as I understand it, getting the gate open would require the entity adopting the road to maintain it. not sure of any other requirements or conditions.
probably time to look into it

might as well open this topic on Spirit's creek too

on the other hand can i get free prints of pictures?

[Danimal]

I'd certainly be willing to help keep it clean. Dan-o

[Trail Monkey]

How about using the camera to take pictures of the litterers and send them the fine instead of using a gate and the people that are trying to do the right thing. The county did the same thing here on some local creeks and they almost made the entire Sheriffs Dept. budget for the month from one camera... so they installed 2 more at different places. I have not heard the outcome from them yet lol

[Zen B.]

Sometimes roads are closed to allow the building of new roads in other areas. The gate may be in place to allow equal or lesser distances of roads to be built elsewhere in the forest with no cumulative mileage gain.

[GN YAKN]

I have been in contact with the local Ranger about the access at the Shoe and he is very much aware of the fact that it would be a great access point.

My approach has been to build a relationship with the decision makers and I feel like we have a solid basis for that at this point.

We took the new Ranger to the access you mentioned and drove him down to the Shoe and talked about access. The problem is the gradient of the road into the area. It is too steep to be utilized as a public road.

We have approached the idea of taking on responsibility for maintaining the access and suggested several other options for their consideration. But the fact remains that even if they were to agree to our requests the road cannot be opened to the public.

He did offer to us that he would keep access in mind when they are looking at future management plans for the area and see if there are other routes that could be developed into an access at the Shoe.

Bottom line is the Ranger knows we would like access at the Shoe. He looked at the road and flatly stated he cannot open it as a public access as it is too steep for public use. He is agreeable to looking for other options. I believe him and hope we can keep working to offer him solutions that he can take advantage of.

[iYak]

Yes, it is steep and I can see their point.

Maybe they would be open to placing a sign there that says "4x4 only, steep road ahead"? They already do that in Colorado and other steep places.

[GN YAKN]

While it isn't quite as convenient as the Shoe access, check out Coonfoot Ford. It is an access upstream of the Shoe access but it is on river left. I've used it a couple of times. You use Royal Oak Road off of Wire Road.

You can drive to the river with a 4wd without any problem. With a little dozer work and a couple of loads of gravel I think we could have a decent access. We can approach the FS about this as a joint project if there is enough interest.

Best other option is to put in at Hurricane when there is enough water.

I still think we will eventually get an access around the shoe, but, it will have to come about as part of another project like a timber sale where they will already have need to build a new road. I'm hopeful that the FS will build the next road suitable for public access. I think right now that is our best, and only option for the Home Run!

On the Spirit Creek Run, we need to do some more recon on suggested options until they are able to fix the landslide! The jeep trail just outside of the roadblock on river left seemed comparable to dragging into Little Mill. Want to do some more recon tomorrow!!!! Might be a good day to try it.