For those of you who like the beautiful challenge of climbing to the top of Larch Mountain Road east of Troutdale, you will be happy to know that Multnomah County has just announced it is now open. It closes each year during winter and usually stays closed until mid-June… But we’ve just gotten word that it is open as of today, Tuesday, May 27th. Below is the official statement:
Upper Larch Mountain Road to reopen afternoon of May 27
Thursday, 5/22/14 – 11:01 amMultnomah County will reopen the upper section of Larch Mountain Road on Tuesday, May 27 at 2 p.m.
Larch Mountain Road is the highest road in Multnomah County’s jurisdiction, reaching an altitude of 4055 feet in east county. Each winter, the county closes public access to recreation areas off upper Larch Mountain Road by installing a snow gate near milepost 10. Opening the mountain road for recreational users happens when snow levels decline. Reopening the gate provides vehicle access all the way to the view parking lot at milepost 14.5 and the walking trail to Sherrard Point.
I was just up there this weekend and saw the sign saying it was still closed for snow… was wondering when it was going to reopen… now I know…
How about one car-free weekend each spring before they open the gates to motor vehicles? Same as happens at Santiam Pass and Crater Lake, and some years at Chinook Pass and the North Cascades Highway.