Critical Road Update

Jose Castro, Bozeman District Ranger, has approved a one time plowing of the Hyalite Road to the Blackmore Parking Lot. This is to facilitate access for everyone, but particularly for the Bridger Ski Foundation -Nordic Tour scheduled for this Saturday, December 29th. [b]Now read carefully what all this means to climbers:[/b] Barring a major snowfall tonight (Wednesday) Gallatin County will plow the road Thursday morning starting at 9:00 am. If it snows, other County Roads get priority and they will reschedule to try again on Friday morning. The entire canyon will be closed at the bottom while they are plowing. They are expecting it to take 4 to 5 hours but plan on all day in case something breaks down. During this time, Nancy Hallstrom from the USFS will be at the lower gate to answer any questions the public might have. As members of the SMCC, Jim Earl and I am volunteering to go up the canyon ahead of the snow plow work with any vehicles already there and, if need be, coordinate with the snow plow operator to help them get around each other. If anyone else can get the day off, we could really use another volunteer or two so please call me ASAP at (406) 581-1716. [b]We are VERY STRONGLY encouraging that all climbers go to Pine Creek (or elsewhere) on Thursday the 27th. Or if you must really go up Hyalite, do so well before 8:00 am and don't try to come back down canyon until after 4:00 pm.[/b] Thank you all for your patience with the road being closed temporarily while they plow. This will be a big benefit to the entire Bozeman recreational community. [b]It is encouraged that everyone take advantage of this privilege and use the improved access to get out and enjoy all Hyalite has to offer.[/b] Plowed roads fall under State Law which prohibits both motor vehicles and snowmobiles. Thus snowmobiles will be restricted from the road below Blackmore through Saturday the 29th. After the 29th it will revert back to the current regulations which is use on the roads only to both the Emerald Lake and Grotto Falls Trailheads and not beyond. [b]Visit www.hyalite.org for more details on the entire Travel Management Plan and the recent changes affecting Hyalite Canyon.[/b] This one time plowing is due largely to the hard work of Gallatin County, the Bozeman District Ranger as well as the ongoing commitment of the Southwest Montana Climbers Coalition (SMCC) and the Bridger Ski Foundation (BSF) to work with all user groups to create a beneficial Hyalite experience. If needed, the SMCC is committing up to $1,000 toward a plowing fund which has been matched by the BSF. This has all happened in just the last few hours so I will be posting more information and details as it becomes available. Look for a press release in Thursday's Bozeman Daily Chronicle and possibly posted here as well. Regards, Joe Josephson