WMNF Parking Pass

[Puck]

I am getting a new windshield. So what is the policy for unexpired parking passes? Mine is set to expire in June, so should I just eat it?

I have been to the website and have found no info on this.

 

[Sherpa John]

If it were me I'd Eat it. I guess it all depends on how you feel towards the whole parking pass idea.

I mean.. it costs money to maintain dirt roads and paved parking lots for our enjoyment and ease of use so.. what the hell... why not right?

In the words of Weird Al.. EAT IT!

 

[Rugger]

When I had the windshield replace on my jeep, they scraped it off and taped it on the new one. I did have to replace the tape once in a while, but over the past year, the tape has lasted longer than the windshields!

 

[David Metsky]

I've successfully peeled the sticker off an old car and transferred it to the new one. Otherwise, find a friend who needs one and buy two for $25.

-dave-

 

[TenPeaks]

If you can manage to scrape it off cleanly, or at least keep the sticker number intact, you can bring it to a ranger station and they will replace it up to its expiration date free of charge.

 

[twigeater]

Just like I did with my state vehicle inspection sticker, I'd peel it off and stick it back on.

 

[arghman]

I got some clear vinyl sheeting, cut it to a square slightly larger than my parking pass, stuck the parking pass to the vinyl, and stuck the vinyl to my windshield -- that way it's not permanent. (I don't see why they don't just make the parking passes out of vinyl anyway, other than that I suppose someone could steal your parking pass if you left your car unlocked.)

 

[swamp]

Last year, I also had to have a windshield replaced. I peeled off the sticker, brought it to the Lincoln Woods ranger station, and they gave me a new sticker (with the same expiration as the old one) for free.

 

[Dennis C.]

"arghman" offers good advice, especially when you're faced with sticking the next sticker you get. I have been living at an apartment house that has strict parking regulations. My truck was being repaired for an extended period of time a couple years ago. I was able to quickly peel off the sticker (with clear taped face) held on to the window with two pieces of Scotch type tape and put it on the temporary vehicle. Worked great. No questions asked and I avoided having to deal with the landlord for that situation.

 

[Artex]

Personally, I'd just pay the 20 bucks and get a new one and not worry about it much. The sticker is a bargain as it is, and the money goes to the park.

 

[David Metsky]

Personally, I'd just pay the 20 bucks and get a new one and not worry about it much. The sticker is a bargain as it is, and the money goes to the park.

Park? What park?

-dave-

 

[RoySwkr]

Otherwise, find a friend who needs one and buy two for $25.

This is legal only if you live in the same household, although I'm not sure how they enforce it.

As otherwise mentioned, the Forest Service will give you a replacement if you bring the old one in. The new windshield installer should install a new state inspection sticker as part of the job.

The original FS parking passes were not attached to the windshield but were loose, but of course that makes it easy to move between cars which is supposedly not allowed. In the West, I have heard of people who affixed a sticker with tape getting a $55/day ticket for "no sticker" because the rule is that it must be affixed with its own glue to make it harder to transfer.

As to what the pass money goes for, see the FS site. I'm not that impressed. They can't plow parking on Base Road or Bethlehem Reservoir for instance.

 

[Artex]

Welp, to each their own.

 

[Mr. X]

Yeah, I'm split about the parking pass issue. I think they should issue you a new one. In alot of ways I think they shouldn't have them to begin with. I buy them, but reluctantly. I think a chunk of my check is enough. Just my own .02.

 

[spaceman]

I just replaced my windshield last week, and the sticker transferred just fine to the new one. If you want a new one, just take the old one to where ever you got it, and they will give you a new one.

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

Royskr writes: "As to what the pass money goes for, see the FS site. I'm not that impressed. They can't plow parking on Base Road or Bethlehem Reservoir for instance."

I entirely agree, as the USFS seems to do LESS trail maintenance than ever since they began collecting the parking fees. Most USFS trails in the Whites are terribly overgrown, having not been clipped out in years. About the only USFS trail maintenance work that I have seen the past few years are overbuilt water bars within a mile of trailheads, mostly in flat places that hardly need them. The one exception that comes to mind is some nice reconstructive work on the steep section of the Pine Bend Brook Trail above and east of the ravine. IMHO, it is not the $20, but the principle involved with Fee Demo, which is double taxation.

 

[Mr. X]

....IMHO, it is not the $20, but the principle involved with Fee Demo, which is double taxation.

My feelings exactly.

 

[dave.m]

The thing I like most about the Fee Demo plan is the cute little papers they occasionally place under your windshield. I've used them for bookmarks and they're pretty handy for that. I've also sent them along to my senators but I guess the senators are pretty busy because nothing seems to have come from that....

In all seriousness, I purchased one pass maybe 5 years ago for my wife's car. Haven't purchased another one since and can't imagine doing so in the future. I have noticed that they ticket less frequently. I suspect (but am only guessing) that the costs of enforcement is probably close to the amounts of revenues generated.


BTW Mr.X, I find your avatar both amusing and disturbing.

 

[jjmcgo]

Not double taxation

If I might respectfully disagree with the estimable Dr. Dasypodidae whether the parking fees are "double taxation:"
It seems to me that federal taxes have been cut dramatically since 2000 and funding for federal recreation areas, Nat. Parks, U.S. Forests, etc, historic sites, etc., has also been cut.
So, this fee strikes me more as a "user fee" than double taxation. Want to avoid the cost? Don't go there.
Thinking along those lines, I've bought the season pass on my first trip to the Whites each year the past couple of years and then hope work and family schedules permit me many return trips. It really isn't expensive, compared to a $400 tent.
Perhaps the lack of trail building/maintenance in recent years is a reflection of reduced funding.

 

[Jasonst]

I stopped buying them also, mostly because it was more economical to pay per use rather than the season pass.