Posted by Bill Pelzmann on October 24, 2010 at 1:30 AM
Photo Credit: NPS Neal Herbert - from a Tex's Riverways email
I just received an update on the Mineral Bottom Road status from Tex's Riverways. Tex's provides shuttle services and equipment for Green River trips. They obviously have been severely impacted by the road closure.
The NPS image shows the extent of the damage caused by the August 2010 storm. Repair costs are estimated at 2 million dollars. Early next summer is the guesstimate for the earliest possible opening date.
In the mean time Tex's plans to use an alternate road down Spring Canyon. It provides river access 16 miles north of Mineral Bottom, and "requires a bit of work". Towing a trailer of boats down it should be a challenge. I doubt that this road connects with the north end of the White Rim Trail.
This storm damaged a number of other back country roads in the Needles and Maze Districts. Obviously, everyone should check with the rangers before starting your trip planning into any of the 4WD areas.
Posted by John Mumaw on October 24, 2010 at 10:05 AM
Pretty amazing. The people included give this a good sense of scale as to the devastation involved.
Frankly, I'm surprised the NPS would even bother repairing this road. I assumed that their outlook on backcountry roads was to let nature take its course. and that limiting human access wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on October 24, 2010 at 10:59 AM
John, I believe the economic impact in Moab is what is driving the push for a rapid repair.
Access to the White Rim Trail is probably more economically significant than the Green River access.
But, I agree, 2 million is a lot of cash. Apparently, Federal emergency funding is available.
Posted by John Mumaw on October 24, 2010 at 11:17 AM
That makes sense...thanks, Bill.
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on October 24, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Amazing photo and very useful information here Bill. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by Bret Edge on October 24, 2010 at 10:35 PM
Reason for the repair is in fact the economic impact on Moab. I can't recall the dollar amount of anticipated lost revenue but it was huge.
Spring Canyon does not provide access to the White Rim Trail.
Discussion
6 repliesI just received an update on the Mineral Bottom Road status from Tex's Riverways. Tex's provides shuttle services and equipment for Green River trips. They obviously have been severely impacted by the road closure.
The NPS image shows the extent of the damage caused by the August 2010 storm. Repair costs are estimated at 2 million dollars. Early next summer is the guesstimate for the earliest possible opening date.
In the mean time Tex's plans to use an alternate road down Spring Canyon. It provides river access 16 miles north of Mineral Bottom, and "requires a bit of work". Towing a trailer of boats down it should be a challenge. I doubt that this road connects with the north end of the White Rim Trail.
This storm damaged a number of other back country roads in the Needles and Maze Districts. Obviously, everyone should check with the rangers before starting your trip planning into any of the 4WD areas.
Frankly, I'm surprised the NPS would even bother repairing this road. I assumed that their outlook on backcountry roads was to let nature take its course. and that limiting human access wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Access to the White Rim Trail is probably more economically significant than the Green River access.
But, I agree, 2 million is a lot of cash. Apparently, Federal emergency funding is available.
Spring Canyon does not provide access to the White Rim Trail.