When do the roads open?

[B the Hiker]

According to the road website (the updated one that was posted in another discussion active today), most of the roads remain closed.

Is there a set of criteria that are employed to determine when roads such at the Zealand Rd open? It seems that at this point, they should be snow free, and should remain so.

Based on past experience, when do folks expect the roads to open?

Thanks,


Brian

 

[nartreb]

As I recall, Zealand Rd [edit: I was actually thinking of Haystack Rd] and several others usually stay closed into June. I believe the concern is not the snow, it's the mud. Those roads don't have proper foundations or much drainage, so they'd be easily damaged if used while still soaked with snowmelt. By that standard, this year might be an early one.

I imagine the USFS has to pay people to patrol those roads once they're open. If those are seasonal employees (or they have some other duty in the winter/spring season) then the USFS will be strongly tempted to keep them closed until the usual calendar date.

 

[Red Oak]

The powers that be want the roads open asap for fire prevention purposes.Maybe budget issues B?

 

[MichaelJ]

For a road to open, it has to be dry and drained and firm enough to be a) gone over with a grader, and 2) have any winter damage, such as washed-out culverts or erosion, repaired. That can take a varying amount of time, regardless of the amount of the snow pack. It all depends on the soil of the road. And of course for most roads it has to be the entire road or nothing.

Historically Jefferson Notch Road is last, sometimes as late as July. Haystack Road always takes a while, sometimes into June. Cherry, Gale, Zealand, Sawyer River usually open up sometime in May. Of course, we don't know what the plans are for Sawyer River Road since the Irene Damage.

 

[B the Hiker]

I was rather hoping people were going to say that the roads were going to open today...

 

[MichaelJ]

Nope, but Hurricane Mtn, Bear Notch, and Evans Notch roads are all open already.

 

[JCarter]

For a road to open, it has to be dry and drained and firm enough to be a) gone over with a grader, and 2) have any winter damage, such as washed-out culverts or erosion, repaired. That can take a varying amount of time, regardless of the amount of the snow pack. It all depends on the soil of the road. And of course for most roads it has to be the entire road or nothing.

Historically Jefferson Notch Road is last, sometimes as late as July. Haystack Road always takes a while, sometimes into June. Cherry, Gale, Zealand, Sawyer River usually open up sometime in May. Of course, we don't know what the plans are for Sawyer River Road since the Irene Damage.

I spoke with the Pemi District Ranger yesterday, and was told the crews are scheduled to start evaluating these roads (which doesn't mean open...) on May 7. So don't expect the status to change before then.

 

[IQuest]

Historically Jefferson Notch Road is last, sometimes as late as July. Haystack Road always takes a while, sometimes into June. Cherry, Gale, Zealand, Sawyer River usually open up sometime in May. Of course, we don't know what the plans are for Sawyer River Road since the Irene Damage.

Sawyer River Rd will be easily passable once the gate is open. I was there last Saturday and the damage has been repaired. I'm not sure how it would hold up with another big storm. It looks like the culvert that was placed in the low spot may already be close to being clogged. I'm noe engineer but it seems that a larger catch basin/ditch and a larger culvert sould have been used.

 

[Lefty E]

Zealand Road always seems to be open by Mother's Day (treat Mom to the Sugarloafs!) and the others in area a week or so later...at 230 today SUCCESS POND ROAD (not a forest road) was still cabled...

 

[Michelle]

Saw a work truck at the begining of Tripoli Rd today, looks like they were patching potholes..........as there was a lot of tar all over the road.......throw it down and let the cars pack it in, I guess

 

[bryan]

this is not yet up on the wmnf website, but i just received an e-mail from the gentleman i report to as a trail adopter in the pemi district stating that gale river, haystack, tripoli and zealand roads are now open.

bryan

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I read the same on Facebook this afternoon.

Tim

 

[RoySwkr]

this is not yet up on the wmnf website, but i just received an e-mail from the gentleman i report to as a trail adopter in the pemi district stating that gale river, haystack, tripoli and zealand roads are now open.

Saw it for myself yesterday afternoon, not open in the morning hence cars parked outside each

In normal years they open in May, I have seen Sawyer R which is the lowest in elevation open in April before

 

[B the Hiker]

I think the rangers read that it would make me happy if they opened the roads on Friday and decided to make my day.

In any event, it's nice to see them open, as it will make my trip up Hale and Zealand next weekend a bit easier.


Brian

 

[MichaelJ]

Note that Sawyer River Road remains listed as closed, with all vehicular use prohibited, under an updated version of the Forest Supervisor's Closure Order from Tropical Storm Irene.

Note also that if you were to, say, mountain bike Sawyer River Road to the trailhead, you would not be allowed to count the peak towards the AMC 4000-Footer or Hundred Highest lists per their rules.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Note that Sawyer River Road remains listed as closed, with all vehicular use prohibited, under an updated version of the Forest Supervisor's Closure Order from Tropical Storm Irene.

Note also that if you were to, say, mountain bike Sawyer River Road to the trailhead, you would not be allowed to count the peak towards the AMC 4000-Footer or Hundred Highest lists per their rules.

Was by the Sawyer River Road about noon on Saturday; it's still closed.

 

[sierra]

Note that Sawyer River Road remains listed as closed, with all vehicular use prohibited, under an updated version of the Forest Supervisor's Closure Order from Tropical Storm Irene.

Note also that if you were to, say, mountain bike Sawyer River Road to the trailhead, you would not be allowed to count the peak towards the AMC 4000-Footer or Hundred Highest lists per their rules.

Why not? you can drive to the trailhead when the roads open, how is biking what your allowed to drive breaking the rules?

 

[natron]

agree!

Why not? you can drive to the trailhead when the roads open, how is biking what your allowed to drive breaking the rules?

if you park your bike @ the same spot that you previously parked your car, what is the difference? if anything you should get extra credit for bike vs. car! if they don't allow bike to the parking lot, than car to parking lot shouldn't count and anybody who has done carrigan should have that peak voided, from their list.. (including me)

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Sawyer Road is not open to vehicular traffic at this time, including automobiles, ATVs, or bicycles. The AMC FTFC rules allow bicycle travel only in place of a car, and only on roads open to cars during the duration of your hike. So, both Sierra and Natron are correct, but both missed the point that Sawyer Road isn't actually open.

Tim

 

[IQuest]

Note that Sawyer River Road remains listed as closed, with all vehicular use prohibited, under an updated version of the Forest Supervisor's Closure Order from Tropical Storm Irene.

Note also that if you were to, say, mountain bike Sawyer River Road to the trailhead, you would not be allowed to count the peak towards the AMC 4000-Footer or Hundred Highest lists per their rules.

Funny that it says ALL vehicluar use is prohibited. Snowmobiles have been using it all winter and when I was there 10 days ago there were two pick up trucks at the camp halfway up on the left. It was past the wash out and they apparently own or know the owners of the camp because they were inside and unloading their stuff. The gate was still locked at the bottom though. I'm sure it will open to the public soon.