NPS denies Madison Co's request re Rapidan area

[GSFeder]

http://www.nps.gov/shen/parknews/national-park-service-denies-madison-county-request-to-establish-new-park-entrance-on-rapidan-road.htm

Cheers, 

-- Greg

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[TurbineBlade]

I don't know all the details of the proposal that was just denied, but the part about "keeping the rustic conditions" that exist currently I find to be at least somewhat questionable by the NPS superintendent.  We have a 4WD, high ground clearance vehicle, but (and this has been said in a previous post) I'm not sure that it's really fair to basically say that "only people with trucks should be allowed to access the park because it's more beautiful that way".  It's for the public right?  I guess if they want to avoid adding parking lots, development, etc. to the park I could understand that.  But keeping the road essentially unusable for people who own small cars isn't a good policy.  

Gene

[Danny Barrett]

Greg thanks for the post.  I was curious when they were making this call.  I know its not the same, but people with small cars can still make the ~2.2 mile hike down of skyline.  I have a big SUV but I did this hike once as mine was in the shop.  It is a pretty cool hike.

Thanks,

Dan Barrett

 

dannyt...@gmail.com

(540)-222-8064

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[Rob Snowhite]

It can be done in a small car. I used to take my 2 door Honda accord up there year round. It had low clearance. The road is worked enough that a small car can do it. I kind of like keeping it wildish. There's enough asphalt out there. Pave it and a Fourbucks will open next to the first fish able hole.

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[Brad]

I'm with Rob on this one. 

For those of you with no Western experience, this is how you keep out the unwashed hoards. Zero road maintenance. It is public land but that does not mean everyone should be able to drive right up to every feature. Read a little Edward Abbey. Maybe start with Desert Solitaire.

On Saturday, August 3, 2013 4:06:28 PM UTC-4, Gs Feder wrote:

[Bruce Mathews]

Prior to the flood of 1995  there was some limited access (I think the road was chained some ways into the park boundary) but the flood really wiped out the lower entrance.  I haven't been there in years but I assume the drive over from the Syria/Criglersville area is still open and drivable by Rob's old Honda.  It leaves you upstream of the Staunton River intersection that used to yield good brookies.  I camped by the river in the '60's and caught Rainbows.  At that time the game commission stocked the Rapidan with Bows and Browns.  Later you were encouraged to throw the non-native (browns and rainbows) up in the bank if you caught them.  Early snakehead status.  I don't know how far below the park you would have to go to catch a trout not a brookie today.  Are those summer camps still at the lower end of the road?

 

Bruce Mathews
703.772.7167

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From: Brad <br...@gentnergroup.com>
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sunday, August 4, 2013 7:53 AM
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: NPS denies Madison Co's request re Rapidan area

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[TurbineBlade]

Brad -- I'm sure that's part of the thinking on part of the NPS guy.  I can understand keeping things rustic, but I know at least one TPFR member who high-centered his car there not too long ago.  Maybe grating more regularly would be a good compromise.  

Gene

On Saturday, August 3, 2013 4:06:28 PM UTC-4, Gs Feder wrote:

[Brad]

Well, you buy your ticket you take your chances. Getting stuck builds character. 

I still disagree. There are plenty of place you can drive right up to and fish. Some places shouldn't be so readily accessible. 

[TurbineBlade]

I concede the argument --  since NPS already made the call it's pointless anyway.

For anyone considering driving up there in a small passenger vehicle: I personally don't recommend it -- unless you know your vehicle very well and know which sides of the road to teeter over to as you drive it (not that this will work if you happen to pass someone). I would say that getting high-centered and damaging your oil pan is as much a "character builder" as contracting Onchocerciasis, but without all the rad scars. 

Gene

On Saturday, August 3, 2013 4:06:28 PM UTC-4, Gs Feder wrote:

[Dave Jamieson]

I often weep for the undercarriage of my '98 Civic, but in this case I'm glad they decided not to improve the road. I'd rather roll the dice on my trips up there than deal with the increased traffic so close to the stream. Just to add to what Gene said: Like a lot of anglers, I get incredibly impatient once fishable water is finally in sight. You really need to resist that here. Take it really slow negotiating the holes in that road if you don't have a pickup or SUV.

[Brendan]

agree with much of what has been said... as much as i would love to use this access point, i think it's for the best that they keep it closed. 

[Jeffrey Silvan]

I have pretty limited ability to comment given I've only been to the Rapidan once. But in that one trip (a guided trip where I rode with the guide in his pickup), I had a few observations that I believe are fairly applicable. I wouldn't dare bring a non-4WD or high ground clearance vehicle up the road we used, although I saw one at the top. I saw no fewer than four pickup truck drivers choose not to use a bridge to cross the stream, and instead chose drive off the road and speed through river (instead of at least slowly fording it). This was in the brief periods of time that I was actually even near a crossing. Additionally, I saw at least three groups of ATV and/or dirt bike riders that were constantly leaving the trails and trampling vegetation, spraying dirt into the river as their wheels spun, as well as driving across, along, and in the stream. It was unfortunate seeing the blatant disregard for our natural resources. These are all environmentally destructive activities that would be close to impossible, if not completely impossible, with a "normal" car.

The NPS Superintendent cited his responsibility to protect natural resources as one of his reasons for rejecting the request. At the end of the day, he's right - making an area less difficult to access will, in theory, increase the environmental damage due to human interaction. But if he really is concerned about protecting this natural resource, perhaps he should also consider either improving enforcement of existing rules (if they exist) for those that "can" access that area, or re-assessing what rules should be in place to minimize the inappropriate behavior I noted above.

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