There are many possible solutions that will allow access nearly every day and maintian the Park's budget, safety, and resource protection requirements:
- Close the road at Third Peak or the Slot. This was policy for many years, I am not sure when or why it ended. The last mile of road is the most prone to bad weather, drifting, and the parking lot is a relatively large area to clear. This will still provide access to snowshoeing, backcounrty, and cross country opportunities.
- Cooperate with Clallam County or WSDOT for plowing. Clallam County has said that they could plow the road to the slot four days a week for $75,000 per winter.
- Appropriate more money in the Park budget. No other National Park has weekend only access; not sure why this is not accounted for in the Park's normal appropriation.
- Rely on volunteers such as the Cascade Backcountry Patrol or Olympic Mountain Rescue for a significant portion of the necessary safety measures. No different in principle than summer volunteers who walk around the paved paths enforcing the "don't go off the path" rule.
- Rely on volunteers for a significant portion of the labor. Rocky Mountain National Park has the "Road Hogs" http://www.nps.gov/romo/road_hogs.htm who contribute to that Park, which includes the highest road in North America.
- Use passive snow removal devices to reduce the time and fuel required to clear the road and parking areas.
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