[pct-l] Bus to Stehekin

[Bob Bankhead]

As I recall, there were two different shuttle buses. The was the private bus service from Stehekin landing that ran as far north as High Bridge, which is where the PCT hikers got on or off. There was another US Park Service bus (van) that ran from High Bridge north into North Cascades National Park.

The road north of High Bridge went out years ago.


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: frankgilliland at comcast.net 
  To: pct-l at mailman.backcountry.net 
  Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 2:26 PM
  Subject: [pct-l] Bus to Stehekin


  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-


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