Whitehouse Open

[forgedin78]

The Buckhorn lake bushwack is perfect for a novice, since its only a few hundred yards off the NPT and you can't miss it, its a big lake. Just follow the outlet up from the modern wooden bridge that the trail crosses. Plus its pretty close to the road, you'll probably be able to hear traffic if you listen closely enough. Plus the lake is surrounde by 3 mountains on 3 sides and the NPT on the other, fairly foolproof. I am glad to hear that the bridge will be in soon though, although I think its too warm to do any fishing now. I guess I will just be scouting.

[ccockrell]

Thanks for the further description. Now that I put both descriptions together, I realize I hiked there this winter on a snowshoe hike. My husband and I met up with a group from Speculator for the hike, including 2 guides. We saw the osprey nests, stood right underneath them. Then had a little hot tea on a point of land and snowshoe'd back to Piseco. Crossed back over the beaver dam and generally had a great day out. At the end we all went back to Speculator and had lunch at a place in the village.

[redhawk]

Thanks for the further description. Now that I put both descriptions together, I realize I hiked there this winter on a snowshoe hike. My husband and I met up with a group from Speculator for the hike, including 2 guides. We saw the osprey nests, stood right underneath them. Then had a little hot tea on a point of land and snowshoe'd back to Piseco. Crossed back over the beaver dam and generally had a great day out. At the end we all went back to Speculator and had lunch at a place in the village.

I've showshoed in there also......In JUNE!!

It allows me to get out to the edge of the spaghum moss bog and close enough to get close up pictures of the herons and their young with a 300 meter lens. At the same time I am far enough away that I represent no threat to the herons.

[Boreal Chickadee]

I've showshoed in there also......In JUNE!!

It allows me to get out to the edge of the spaghum moss bog

You sly old fox

[redhawk]

You sly old fox

nope.........

Wise Old Bird!!

[Boreal Chickadee]

A wise old owl sat on an oak.
The more he saw, the less he spoke.
The less he spoke, the more he heard,
Why can't we be like that wise old bird?

[redhawk]

8-2-2006 Still Closed.

Road is still closed.

Even when the bridge gets in, I think they will be more damage that needs to be fixed. I know the creek near Whitehouse has washed out the road. Would not be surprised if the old abandoned beaver Dam about a mile from Whitehouse has breached and don't know what they will find down at Dugway.

As soon as I can get further in, I'll report. it's too damn far to hike in with this heat and humidity.

[redhawk]

Update

Talked with Clay today. Road is still unpassable at Dugway and a couple of other places.

Slim possibility that everything will be passable this weekend. monday looks like a good bet.

Stay tuned, don't touch that dial!!

[slechner]

Thanks so much for the update. We were actually at our camp on WRR during the storm. Jimmy Creek bridge collapsed shortly after we left and we haven't been back since. It's my understanding that there are no year-round residents on WRR, by the way. I believe the Hwy Supervisor told us that as he gave us a lift into town after the storm. The road was a total mess with several culverts blown out. We couldn't leave until the hwy crew reached our place, a mile short of Dugway.

[ccockrell]

The bridge over Jimmy Creek was supposed to go in today. Has anyone heard if it really did go in?

[redhawk]

The bridge over Jimmy Creek was supposed to go in today. Has anyone heard if it really did go in?

I'll take a ride up there tomorrow. Even if it is in, the road may be inpassable in places, especially by Dugway creek. They needed to get the bridge installed before they could get into WRR to repair the rest of the washout.

[uberTurtle]

More Damage on West River Road

Hiked from Piseco to Whitehouse on Sunday (7/30) with my three daughters (6, 12, 14), expecting to be picked up in Whitehouse by my wife. We were on our way out to the parking area, when we met my wife walking in, wearing a pack. Seemed kind of unusual until I was informed that she'd walked four miles in to let us know the road was closed. Needless to say, I should have checked the thread, rather than rely on the title "Whitehouse Open." In the four miles back to the bridge that's out there are numerous trees down across the road and two culverts that will require repair before vehicles can cross them. One has the majority of rock/road surface washed away and the other has ALL the rock/road washed off - in fact we had to go upstream 15-20 feet to find a place to cross. I'd say at least a couple of days of work before the road is open, after the bridge is repaired. The hike from Piseco to Whitehouse was nice, though!

[redhawk]

If it were me, I'd plan on Monday as the earliest. Even with the Bridge in, there are extensive repairs that need to be made. As the Town Highway Dept Supervisor told me, even if some quick repairs are possible, it might be passable only for 4 wheel drives with a fairly high carriage until at least next week.

Since This weekend is Old Home Days in Wells, it's going to be a zoo anyway. I'm hoping to get out of here for the weekend.

[redhawk]

Friday Aug 4th 2006 - Road Still Closed

Just came back. the bridge is installed, however the road remains closed to traffic because of washouts that have to be repaired.

[ccockrell]

I went in there on Saturday the 5th. With our jeep, my husband and I got to within a mile of the Whitehouse trail head before the road became impassable. I hiked the rest of the way in and did a section hike, Whitehouse to Piseco. See trip reports, posted (kind of) in error on the Trail Conditions Report page. That last mile of road needs repair in several places before being driveable.