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THE HERALD - EVERETT, WASHINGTON
Published: Friday, January 6, 2012
Forest Service Land
Accept risks, or all access will go
I agree with the letters stating that we must recreate in the North Cascade Mountains at our own risk. It is tragic that a family lost a child. But if the family continues with the lawsuit, not only will Big Four Ice Caves be closed to the public, but other roads and trails on U.S. Forest Service lands will, as well.
Any time you go into the mountains for any reason it is, and should be, at your own risk. You should be prepared and know the risks. Other states such as Nevada have big signs at the beginning of primitive gravel roads and trails. They state "Primitive Road or Trail/Enter At Your Own Risk." We have become a nation of whiners expecting the federal or state government to make everything safe for us when we enter the back country. What did the Lewis and Clark expedition, the early fur trappers and pioneers do? They certainly did not have any warning signs that the route they were traveling was dangerous.
As of today, the Circle Peak Road in the Darrington area is closed because the USFS deemed it "unsafe" to drive. I would much rather keep the road open and have a Primitive Road Warning Sign at the beginning of the road. The mantra of the USFS has been "close the roads if they pose a risk" for a very long time. That is why so many of our roads are closed now and why the USFS will not let the roads close naturally. Instead, the USFS roads are deliberately dug up to the tune of $35,000 per mile.
So come on, public, be responsible, be prepared, know what the risks of traveling in the back country are and let us assure the USFS that we will not sue, but appreciate the opportunity of traveling back country roads and trails at our own risks.
Shari Brewer
Darrington
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120106/OPINION02/701069948
Published: Friday, January 6, 2012
Forest Service Land
Accept risks, or all access will go
I agree with the letters stating that we must recreate in the North Cascade Mountains at our own risk. It is tragic that a family lost a child. But if the family continues with the lawsuit, not only will Big Four Ice Caves be closed to the public, but other roads and trails on U.S. Forest Service lands will, as well.
Any time you go into the mountains for any reason it is, and should be, at your own risk. You should be prepared and know the risks. Other states such as Nevada have big signs at the beginning of primitive gravel roads and trails. They state "Primitive Road or Trail/Enter At Your Own Risk." We have become a nation of whiners expecting the federal or state government to make everything safe for us when we enter the back country. What did the Lewis and Clark expedition, the early fur trappers and pioneers do? They certainly did not have any warning signs that the route they were traveling was dangerous.
As of today, the Circle Peak Road in the Darrington area is closed because the USFS deemed it "unsafe" to drive. I would much rather keep the road open and have a Primitive Road Warning Sign at the beginning of the road. The mantra of the USFS has been "close the roads if they pose a risk" for a very long time. That is why so many of our roads are closed now and why the USFS will not let the roads close naturally. Instead, the USFS roads are deliberately dug up to the tune of $35,000 per mile.
So come on, public, be responsible, be prepared, know what the risks of traveling in the back country are and let us assure the USFS that we will not sue, but appreciate the opportunity of traveling back country roads and trails at our own risks.
Shari Brewer
Darrington
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120106/OPINION02/701069948
