Or it could be temporarily closed to solve an enforcement issue related to super low water conditions and early arriving salmon?
Did you call anyone yet to get an idea of why?

maybe this should be a lesson that if you litter and aren't respectful of the land that it CAN and WILL be taken away.

I'm not familiar with how bad the littering was but obviously traffic was bad enough to warrant the cost of a gate and closing it off.

everyone needs to pick up after yourself and the careless anglers so we don't get a bad name and keep loosing access!

The place is less than a thousand feet from Region 6 offices. It is as the crow flies about a mile plus from the County Courthouse & Sheriffs office. That the issue exist is primarily from being ignored by the agency AND Sheriff. Simple random drive in by either would have put and end to most of it. Kid don't party where they figure they will get busted. It came about because it was ignored by both.

Less fish.
More people.
Same rivers.

The eventual outcome seems obvious to me.

Went to the "map department" on 2nd floor of the County.

Here's what I found out:

Elk's picnic area is 100 % County owned, also County owns the road to the East of the picnic area.

The road to the East of the picnic area, is the road that has the New Gate. WDFW has nothing to do with this whole thing.

The road, that is now gated, has been a problem area. People used to pull small travel trailers in, and stay most of the summer, if not a trailer, then tents were also used.

The river has changed the gravel bar, used to be room for 4 - 6 trucks, that guys used while they were winter run steelhead fishing. Lower part of the road can be a 4 wheel drive show in the winter time.

There is another road that goes to the East, about 100 yards past the new gate. This road had a gate on it at one time but has not been locked for many years......10 years ago very few people used this road BUT that has changed......now many people drive down and fish the lower end of the Wynoochee River. I believe this land owner would like the new gate left...cars, trucks, and garbage is a problem.

That's what I know......the story continues.....

GH Port does own the area "up river" from the "twin bridges". This area is a old gravel pit. The Port, this summer, did clean up this area. The Port also road graded, put some big blocks, installed no camping signs, and even put a big trash container.

Alway's used Senior's bar / Elks bar to take out below twin bridges. It's always cool to talk with local folk while taking out. Now I guess I'll have to use the take out above twin bridge by the pond area until it get's shut down. Bummer. Good luck,

SZ

Shouldn't take long. After everyone goes in and out of there a few times, it will be next on the gated access list.

There is a person that lives in a trailer, on the way in. He told me that if the Port would pay him a small salary, he mentioned $200 a month, he would be the care taker. I gota believe the Port has $200 rat holed away, if not the Port has the ability to tax.....$2400 a year for a care taker, to watch for signs being damaged, hot rodding kids, trash, etc., is such a small price to pay for access.