OT- Nat'l Parks Stimulus Projects

Thought this was an interesting round up of national parks improvement projects funded by the federal stimulus package. It has projects listed by state.

http://recovery.doi.gov/nps/

Thanks for pointing this out. I'm excited that the Carbon RIver Rd repair at Mt Rainier is part of the project list (though I'd like to know if the repair is the same as has been proposed or if its a more comprehensive repair).

This seems strange to me, because an interview with the official supervising the effort I'd read a couple of years ago (i.e. before the last "100-year flood" that wiped out some of the access road outside the park) indicated that the direction they were looking at was simply declaring the old Carbon River road "impossible to repair," and leaving it to return to nature, while developing a new campground to replace Ipsut Creek elsewhere on the north side, on land they were acquiring in a swap with one of the forestry companies.

I found a press release on Rainier's website about this funding topic and it looks like the Park is being consistant with their planning/response to this issue. The money will just be used to actually FUND whichever alternative they eventually choose. The road will never reach Ipsut Creek again. What is very likely is that the road will be rebuilt to about the halfway point (Green Lake trailhead or so) and then the road will become a hiking trail to Ipsut Creek campground. The campground itself will be turned into a backcountry camp.

All the alternatives being considered are up on their site to check out. I guess I have some time to decide whether or not I'll make the 20 mile roundtrip dayhike to Moraine Park...