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  • Fish Creek '09: No longer an OHV Destination

    Made the trip to Fish Creek on Sunday. Major changes at First Creek Crossing. The south bank was completely washed away, no remains of the path that came down to the creek (pictures tell the story better than I can describe). I have seen other places where quads have nearly defied the laws of gravity, but I do not think there is any chance they can gun it up this landslide. Continued up the the 54 climbing over many downed trees and sinking/sliding over packed snow/ice. Decided I would be better off on higher ground and took my usual bushwhack uphill to the old 120 spur off of Calico Rd. Ended up being a wise decision, completely snow free once I got up there. I continued south, stopping and collecting excellent pieces of pitch wood from the more recent blowdown. As I came up on a familiar creek crossing I could faintly hear the echo of falling water. I peered down the steep ridge and noticed a significant drop off to my left. I dropped/slid down a ways and took in an awesome view of a rock face with the creek dropping off to who knows where. I am not good at estimating drops but even without seeing the bottom I would say the falls had to be over 70 feet. Heading back on the Calico Rd. I came to the upper First Creek crossing where the damage was similar to the lower crossing. Unless someone takes a backhoe to these crossings, Fish Creek will remain much more isolated for the time being.

    Try the slideshow http://s123.photobucket.com/albums/o310/zbyerly83/Fish%20Creek/
    Fish Creek '09: No longer an OHV Destination
  • Re: Fish Creek '09: No longer an OHV Destination (#)
  • Although I typically don't like ATVs (especially when they ruin trails, etc), it was due to them that this area was still easily accessible.  The areas down the road where the ATV's hadn't gone were pretty tough to get through.

    I guess mother nature REALLY wants the Fish Creek Canyon back.....It is too bad, it is an absolutely beautiful area, one that will be very difficult to get into now.

    Zack, thanks for posting the pictures.  Sorry I missed the adventure on Sunday.
  • Re: Fish Creek '09: No longer an OHV Destination (#)
  • Great photos, Zack - very impressive blow out! But I think the key is in your last sentence - "for the time being". I'm referring to this, of course:

    http://www.splintercat.org/PortlandHikers/PalomarMap.jpg

    We need our utility corridors, for sure, but I don't think this one could have been drawn any more roughshod than it is. Keeping my fingers crossed that there's a cooling-period, and some common sense prevails before this gets a green light.

    Tom