Lyle Sandbar to be closed down

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

I just thought I would give everyone the heads up that the Klickitat Sandbar will most likely be closed down before the end of summer. The Washington State Department of Transportation is considering plans to fence off the parking lot across Hwy 14, as well as the railroad safety access road used to walk to the sandbar.

WSDOT was down there today taking photos of everything. They are planning to take photos on a crowded weekend as well, and are meeting in early August to decide what to do. I am not clear about all the details, but will try to find out more information and post it here as soon as possible.

I think in the meantime we should all try to park as orderly as possible across HWY 14 and completely off the shoulder on the south side of the road. And most importantly DON"T BLOCK THE RAILROAD SAFETY ACCESS ROAD AND DON"T PARK ON IT.

I'm going to try and contact WDOT and get a formal explanation of what the actual plans are. I will keep everyone posted.

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Would it help to have someone from the CKGA contact them? That would really suck if they shut it down Confused

I have been going there more recently and it would be a bummer to be kiting without all the friendly faces.

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

Safety would be the reason. No one has been killed crossing the tracks....yet. What if the Kite community built a $20k footbridge over and across the tracks to ensure our safety and contribute to society?
Really, we would sneak in anyway we could.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

That sucks!!! Why would they fence off the parking lot? Is the concern really crossing the train tracks? Jeez I guess the railroads really do own the Gorge.

Thanks for your efforts Scrif, I think CGKA should help out too.

J.P. · Since 10 Mar 2005 638 Posts Addicted

forrest · Wed Jul 18, 07 7:16 pm

You can go under both bridges avoiding both cars and trains.

Bettyboarder · Wed Jul 18, 07 7:28 pm

Maybe its just temporary looks like they are planning some road work starting at Lyle. Keep us updated

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR142/RoadsideSafety/

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

You can refer to me as Josh, Scriff is my dog. I am going to call WSDOT tomorrow sometime and see what they know about it. I am not sure exactly what is going on, as the guy who was taking the pictures was pretty evasive, I think he didn't really even know. I was pretty pissed, as all of us pay taxes and WSDOT works for us.

I have heard from my friend that works for the railroad that engineers have been reporting kiters passing too closely in front of trains for awhile now, like a year or more. I assume things like this drag on for a long time, so hopefully we can help to create a safer access instead of them just shutting it down all at once. I'll post again tomorrow if and when I can find out more.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

The CGKA is looking into this right now, and we are going to do everything in our power to preserve access at lyle.

The Secret Spot was shut down due to lack safe parking, and while both spot cross railroad tracks Lyle preserving access at Lyle is attainable.

Josh-- Thanks for bringing this up and please check your PM

dangerD · Since 27 Jun 2005 223 Posts Bingen Heights Stoked

I heard theyre closing it because of all the dogs...

Pepi · Wed Jul 18, 07 8:22 pm

A personal recommendation from someone who has been involved in discussions with WSDOT and BNRR, it would be best to let the CGKA act as the unified representative of the kiting community.

State and gov't organizations prefer speaking with organized groups and representatives much more than multiple individuals from the general community.

If the CGKA is taking a lead on this, I would suggest presenting your comments and suggestions via the CGKA so that they can have all the ammo that they need to present to the WSDOT and BNRR.

BTW - Forrest might be onto the magic solution for the CGKA to consider. Under the bridge reduces any safety issues with WDOT and BNRR.

Pepi

schnauzer dawg · Wed Jul 18, 07 8:30 pm **Woof, Woof**

I heard they are closing it because of DanglerD's

UrrrrrrrrrrrrrUrrrrrrrrrrrr

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Jul 18, 07 8:53 pm

good luck dealing with the RR. They are a tough bunch indeed. For whatever reason, they don't really have to answer to anyone. Especially not a bunch of scruffy ass kiteboarders and their dogs.

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

A lot of the area west of dougs was closed by the RR, lucky there is any access there at all now.

jahmbi · Wed Jul 18, 07 11:41 pm

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEMS CREATED FROM OTHER AREAS...YOU ALL CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT WRK... DONT LET THE IDIOTS SCREW IT UP 4 ALL OF YOU ... Twisted Evil

THE TROLL

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

This acess was closed 10 years ago for windsurfing. They did not reopen it they just stoped enforcing it untill they noticed lots of people going down their. It is the same with secret spot it was never legal to park on the hwy or cross the tracks and they had enforced it in the past they had just been letting it slide untill they notice a bunch of people down their.

forrest · Thu Jul 19, 07 7:34 am

It's not just kiters crossing the tracks. Lots of the local kids swim from the sandbar and jump off the RR bridge (which is hella fun!!). If this gets tough maybe we can solicit the support of the Lyle locals who like to use the beach there.

Watched a younger girl sit on the railing of the RR bridge and jump off at the very last second before the train got to her. The engineer nearly jumped out of the window of the engine car and looked down to see if she was okay.