GRANDVIEW TRAILHEAD RELOCATION: Action Alert!

In one of the most progressive and long awaited proposals, the Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger District on the Ashley National Forest is proposing to close and rehabilitate 5-6 mile long Forest Road 315 that leads from the North Fork of the Duchesne River Road (Forest Road 144) up to the present Grandview Trailhead. This point provides the primary access into Granddaddy Basin, the heaviest used region in the High Uintas Wilderness. The trailhead would be relocated near Hades Campground on the North Fork of the Duchesne River Road with a new 4-5 mile trail constructed to connect with the present trail as it leaves the Grandview Trailhead.

As any of you know who have traveled the Grandview Trailhead Road, it is a white knuckler with steep pitches, switchbacks, tight turns, no pullouts and, over the years, significant erosion, loss of vegetation and sedimentation into Hades Creek. Grandview Trailhead is the largest trailhead on the Uintas and makes access into Granddaddy Basin far too easy.

This proposal would benefit soil, water quality, backcountry, wilderness values, wilderness users, close 6 miles of expensive road that is virtually impossible to maintain in a proper fashion, and result in a new trailhead and 4-5 miles of new trail winding through a stunning array of mountainous canyon country. Hades Canyon would become a crucial piece of roadless country adjacent to the High Uintas Wilderness.

The Forest Service needs your support! Already some have suggested an alternative to closing the road is simply pave it or leave it open to 4x4 or all terrain vehicles. Both would be a disaster.

"This proposal would benefit soil, water quality, backcountry/ wilderness values, wilderness users, close 6 miles of expensive road that is virtually impossible to maintain in a proper fashion..."

ACTION NEEDED:

1. Take a few minutes to write your support for this good proposal. It makes a commitment to wilderness values, wilderness users, and protection of soil and water resources.
2. Strongly state that the new trailhead certainly should not be any larger than the existing Grandview Trailhead.

Mail your letter by FEB. 17 to:

Joseph Bistryski, District Ranger, or Angela Mulder, Wilderness Specialist, at the Ashley N. F., Roosevelt Ranger District, 244 W. Hwy. 40 (333-6) Roosevelt, UT 84066 You can e-mail Angela at: angela.k.mulder/r4_ashley@fs.fed.us