Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Trail Creek Road set to open

County road crews should have route fully open today

---

By JASON KAUFFMAN
Express Staff Writer

Crews with the Blaine County Road and Bridge Department say the rough gravel road over Trail Creek Summit should be open as early as this afternoon.

Speaking from inside the cab of a grader less than a half mile from the summit just before noon Tuesday, Craig Vaughn, the county's Road and Bridge supervisor, said the only thing blocking them from reaching the summit was one last slide. Crews were using a loader, grader and plow truck to remove the mix of snow, ice and rock from the road.

"Everything has 4 to 5 inches of solid ice below it," Vaughn said. "Hopefully we'll get through it today."

Vaughn said drivers who tackle the rough road should be prepared for sections of ice and running water.

"Everybody who comes across needs to use real caution," he said.

The last half mile to the historic, 7,896-foot pass crosses avalanche-prone slopes. The spot typically has large slides of debris and ice that road crews must remove before the road can be opened to the public.

"It's actually called 'The Big Slide,'" Vaughn said of the vulnerable section of road.

The road links the Sun Valley area with the Big Lost Valley to the east, connecting to U.S. Highway 93, which provides access to Mackay and Challis.

Jason Kauffman: jkauffman@mtexpress.com

buy viagra
acheter viagra
comprar viagra