Hello from a noob. The Mountain Loop highway is schedualed to open October 26th. Now there is plenty of adventure explorations on that baby. Im looking forward to it.
Mountain Loop Road Reopens
Darrington, Granite Falls and Arlington Welcome Outdoor Tourists
October 23 , 2007
After a four-year effort to repair more than $10 million in damaged roads and bridges, Mountain Loop Scenic Highway reopens October 26 to give outdoor enthusiasts access to many of their favorite trails and roads on Darrington Ranger District of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The Mountain Loop Scenic Highway follows the South Fork Stillaguamish River over Barlow Pass and into the South Fork Sauk River drainage. It will re-connect the towns of Darrington and Granite Falls. Arlington also hopes to benefit from the opening as people take scenic drives using highways 9, 530, and the Mountain Loop Scenic Highway.
The 2003 flood damaged more than 40 roads, closing many of them, and restricting public access to popular spots. Many popular trails were also damaged and closed.The repairs were extensive, requiring engineers to realign sections of the roadway from the South Fork Sauk River away from the Sauk River and upgrade culverts. Although officials expected the work to be finished in June, weather and technical difficulties delayed the contractor until this fall. Snow usually closes the road from November until late spring.
The four-year wait for the road to be finished has been a long one for the small communities that have depended on tourist revenue since the loss of the mining and timber industries. An estimated 55,000 tourists traveled through the towns during the height of the tourist season, from May through September, spending their money. Mayor Joyce Jones of Darrington estimates the road closure cost her town $750,000. ?Because of our beautiful location in the Cascades we are a stopping off point for users of all ages to enjoy their major recreational sport, be it hiking, fishing, scenic driving or camping,? she said. When spring rolls around, Arlington, Darrington and Granite Falls are planning a big festival involving all three towns to celebrate the opening of Mountain Loop Road.
They will have a lot to showcase. Arlington just finished rebuilding Olympic Avenue, its main commercial street in downtown, sparking redevelopment of multiple merchant properties. Darrington just completed a covered gazebo and installed new playground equipment in its downtown park, and Granite Falls recently opened a new historical museum. ?I have looked forward to the re-opening of the Mountain Loop Highway, and now we will all be able to enjoy, once again, one of the most beautiful scenic drives and recreational areas in Western Washington,? said Granite Falls? Mayor Lyle Romack
Visitors can check road closures on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest at the
www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/road_conditions_report.shtml.