Access Denied

For anyone planning on heading up some of the I-84 accessable streams in the gorge, such as Lindsey Creek and several others between Exit 51 and 56, YOU CAN'T PARK ON THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE OR ANY ROAD OFF THE INTERSTATE THAT DOES NOT HAVE ITS OWN EXIT RAMP. This seriously limits access to some great areas back there, but I was lectured on this topic by the State Police a few days ago and am very clear on the rule. Your vehicle will be tagged to be towed away if you park off the interstate without using an exit. This is considered an emergency parking only zone even though I know of no signs in the gorge designating it as such.


Marc

Thanks Marc,
I saw some cars parked there a couple of weeks ago and was wondering weather it was legal or not.

I've seen a dozen fisherman parked off the road in the same area before, so it's pretty common. I know people do the same thing at Moffett Creek, the bottom of McCord and others too. OSP has been cracking down on it this year though.

Good info for the upcoming spring season. I recieved a similar lecture near Gorton Creek a few weeks ago.

Thanks for the warnin'!

I'll take a lecture over a ticket any day! Good info. What would happen if you park there and leave your hazard lights flashing? The cops might just think you ran out of gas or broke down. They'd have no idea that you were up the creek taking some photos! Just don't let the same cop see you - he knows your car now....

This should be no surprise to native Oregon/Washington residents. When I learned to drive (mid-70s) the shoulder of an interstate freeway was "Emergency parking only." Once your rig is tagged, you have 24 hours to move it or it gets towed. As far as I know, that law has never changed in either state.

As for enforcement, Oregon has a lot more SPs on the freeways these days, so they have more time to enforce this kind of thing.