ROSS LAKE

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Ross Lake National Recreation Area Washington

Alternatives Considered But Rejected

Do not build the Desolation-Hozomeen Trail and do not consider alternative projects

This alternative was considered but rejected because management actions to improve recreational opportunities in the Ross Lake NRA are appropriate, and Seattle City Light is required by its FERC license to fund such mitigation.

Hozomeen Road Improvements

Alternative E., Hozomeen Lakeshore Trail and Road Realignment, was selected for detailed consideration in this EA. However, two alternative management options for Hozomeen were initially considered but rejected upon further examination. A "long road" realignment option proposed to extend the realigned road several hundred yards south of Winnebago flats. This option was consiedered but rejected because it would have required constructing a bridge over Howlett Creek and passing through a small wetland. A second option of (1) sharing the lakeshore trail with the road, (b) paving the road to reduce dust and (c) putting in speed bumps to reduce speed was considered but rejected because it was considered aesthetically displeasing.

Construct a Parking Lot at Panther Creek Trailhead

To remedy the safety and access problems at the Panther Creek Trailhead, this proposal involved constructing a small parking lot in the U-shaped alcove adjacent to the highway and the trailhead. This proposal would provide parking for several vehicles, but would not meet the 30-foot fogline setback required by the Washington State Department of Transportation. To meet this setback requirement, extensive blasting of bedrock between the road and the mountainside would be needed. In light of these concerns, the proposal was rejected in favor of Alternative C, Reroute the Panther Creek Trailhead.

Desolation Peak Boat-in Trailhead Improvement Options

Four options for addressing the trailhead deficiencies were originally proposed, but only one option, Alternative G, was selected for detailed analysis in this EA. The following options were considered but rejected:

1. Close the trailhead and move all access to the Lightning Creek trailhead. Problems: Informed boaters would continue to use the site in spite of the closure. Moving the trailhead to Lightning Creek would also add four miles (round trip) to the currently strenuous ten-mile (round trip) hike. Desolation Peak is a very popular destination, and this added distance would prevent many people from making the journey to the summit.

2. Move the trailhead approximately one mile north to the southern end of Boundary Bay. The sheltered conditions of Boundary Bay provide ideal conditions for mooring boats. Moving the trailhead to Boundary Bay would increase the round trip to Desolation peak by at least two miles. Construction of a trail to Boundary Bay would be challenging because of cliff bands and steep topography. The trail would also impact an area identified as core grizzly habitat, so an equivalent length of trail in similar habitat would have to be closed as mitigation. Lastly, many people would probably continue to use the present location because it provides the shortest distance to Desolation Peak. Shoreline trampling and erosion at the site would continue.

3. Move the trailhead approximately 200 yards south of its present location. Attach a dock or a modified bulkhead to the shoreline stabilization project at this site to provide safer mooring for boats when the lake is at or near full pool. When the lake is below full pool, this location has a relatively low angle shoreline with gravel areas that allow easy beaching of small boats. This site is the most exposed of all to the brunt of wind and waves, and as a result, would not be an improvement to the present situation.

Little Beaver-Canada Trail

This seven-mile trail would link the Little Beaver trail (at the Ross Lake trailhead) to the Canadian border. In most places the trail would follow the lakeshore below the wilderness boundary. However, terrain constraints would require some trail construction in wilderness. Old trail and roadbed along the route would be used whenever possible. The trail would create a 75-mile loop hike around Ross Lake. Other than the merits of a loop hike, the trail would create a variety of unacceptable impacts and concerns. This area is considered prime habitat for grizzly bear recovery actions. Disturbance from trail construction and increased use of the area could have an adverse impact on grizzly bears including an increase risk of bear-human conflicts and displacement of bears from the area. Other large, rare mammals with declining populations (e.g. wolverine) could also be impacted by the trail. Aside from natural resource concerns, the trail would provide an uncontrolled entry route from Canada. The trail would be visible from the east side of Ross Lake as an unnatural linear feature. The viewshed in this area is currently free from any evidence of human disturbance (aside from the reservoir), so this would be a notable aesthetic impact. Taken together, the recreational advantages of this trail would be greatly overshadowed by the impacts to park resources and values. As a result, this alternative was rejected from further consideration.

Thornton Lake Loop

This approximately 5-mile trail would create a loop hike to Thornton Lakes. The trail would be routed up the ridge that separates Damnation Creek and Thornton Creek toward the lower flank of Mount Triumph. It would connect with the existing trail at or near the Thornton Lake camp. This trail was eliminated from further consideration primarily due to new trail construction in wilderness and concern over impacts to wildlife habitat.

Tee Bone Ridge Trail

This 12 to 16 mile trail would start from the Newhalem Creek bridge and follow an old trail up the Newhalem Creek drainage to T-bone ridge. The trail would then traverse T-Bone ridge and then return to the Skagit River via another old trail in the Alma Creek drainage. Due to its length and the steep, rugged terrain, it would be very expensive to construct and maintain. The impact to wildlife habitat and concern over new construction in wilderness were the main reasons for eliminating this trail from further consideration.

Ruby Mountain Trail

In accordance with the General Management Plan (NPS, 1988), a minimum-standard hiking trail would be constructed to the summit of Ruby Mountain. This 3-4 mile new trail would follow an old, informal path from the eastern side of Fourth of July Pass to the summit of Ruby Mountain. The trail would be steep and rugged, with many segments exceeding 20 percent slope. Impacts to wildlife habitat and concern over new construction in wilderness are the main reasons for eliminating this trail from further consideration. Visitors interested in a rugged hike to the summit of Ruby Peak will still be able to hike the informal route.

Pyramid Lake-Colonial Campground Trail

This 3-mile trail would connect Colonial Creek campground to the Pyramid Lake Trail. As a destination, many people perceive Pyramid Lake to be anticlimactic due to limited views. Impacts to wildlife habitat and concern over new construction in wilderness are the main reasons for eliminating this trail from further consideration.

Skagit River Bike Trail

This trail would link several old road segments from Newhalem to Bacon Creek on the south side of the Skagit River. Given the low gradient, this trail could be built to accommodate hikers, mountain bikes and horses; it could also be handicapped accessible. This project was considered but rejected due to concerns over the high cost of construction, difficult crossing of several major creeks, and cost/difficulty of maintaining the route.

Thunder Arm Loop Trail

This loop trail would encircle the Thunder Arm portion of Diablo Lake. Starting from Colonial Creek campground, the Thunder Creek trail would be improved to the suspension bridge over Lightning Creek. Note: The suspension was washed out during the floods of October 2003. The future status of the bridge and trail up Thunder Creek are uncertain at this time. From that point, a new trail would be constructed across the valley bottom and connect with an old roadbed on the east side of the valley. The trail would follow the old roadbed to the north along Thunder Arm, and lead hikers to the water's edge in at least six spots. The last leg of the trail would follow the shoulder of Highway 20 back to Colonial Creek campground. The highway bridge across Thunder Arm would be retrofitted with a pedestrian walkway to lead visitors safely back to Colonial Creek campground. The entire trail would be fully accessible, and could include a handicapped-accessible camp. This project was considered but rejected given very high cost of adding a pedestrian walkway to the Highway 20 bridge.