I-90 Timber Thin Closes Forest Roads, Blocks Popular Trailhead Access
This fall timber thinning will close roads leading to several popular trailheads for vehicles and foot traffic during the weekdays on the I-90 corridor of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Workers will open the roads for traffic Friday noon through Sunday and on holidays.
Thinning will close Talapus Lake Road (Forest Service Road 9030) at milepost 0.0 starting Sept. 15 until the end of November, blocking access to Talapus Lake.
McClellan Butte Trailhead off of Forest Service Road 5500101 will be closed October.
Workers will close Mason Lake Road (Forest Service Road 9031) at milepost 2.0 starting Oct. 1 until Nov. 15, blocking access to Ira Spring Trailhead. Mason Lake Road parallels the north side of I-90 and is off exit 45.
“We regret the inconvenience this will cause, but the area is not safe during the cutting, yarding and hauling operations,” said Jim Franzel, Snoqualmie district ranger. The Forest Service is thinning 150 acres of western hemlock, Douglas-Fir and western Red cedar, cutting trees 60-75 years old to improve the growth and health of those remaining according to Franzel.
Call Snoqualmie Ranger District for updates at 425-888-1421, or stop by the office at 902 S.E. North Bend Way, North Bend, Wash., 98045. For updated information about trails and roads, go to alerts and conditions on http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/.