This extension, termed Alternative 2, (www.fs.fed.us/r4/wcnf/projects/proposed/) is relatively uncontroversial as its proposed route winds from Parleys to Mill Creek Canyon and up over into the Neffs Canyon trailhead.
The extension from the Neffs trailhead to Mount Olympus trailhead, however, requires traversing contours above housing developments that have crowded the high reaches of Olympus Cove, and this route has stirred emotions.
The proposed dirt, non-motorized trail would leave Neffs Canyon trailhead, immediately climb up the ridge and traverse the contour grade. The trail then descends to the Z trail, an old mining road that has existed for decades, and across to join the Mount Olympus trail. The proposed route will provide a wide buffer between it and any houses, and the designers of the trail should be praised for such sensitivity. This trail will be built by hand.
Opposition to the trail has intensified with the blanketing of Olympus Cove mailboxes with a letter from Gary Crocker. Mr. Crocker purchased land that included the terminus of the Z trail (which would not be included in the Neffs to Mt. Olympus section), built a house and restricted access to this trail with a fence even though this trail had been a legitimate access route to the mountain for many years.
The proposed BST, as described in Forest Service documents, would exit the Z trail at the end of the switchbacks, providing a wide buffer between it and the Crocker residence.
The troubling aspect of this letter is the fear it promulgates and the lack of coherent argument. Mr. Crocker warns of "significant disruption of the hillside and vegetation," that it would "blemish forever the national forest," that it would create "disruption to the neighborhoods" and cause "privacy and security concerns" and, finally, that it would cause development of the Mt. Olympus Wilderness area.
Wilderness areas are, according to him, "special lands that should not be developed, by law, in any manner." While I appreciate his fervent support of wilderness designation, such areas are actually chock-full of trails that allow the citizens to enjoy the lands. Building a trail across a small section of the Mt. Olympus wilderness area is not development and is a very legitimate use of the land.
The argument that a trail system such as the BST will degrade the safety of cove residents is silly. My house was robbed by a guy with a pickup truck, not hiking boots, a fanny pack and Tilley hat. This proposed trail attempts to follow the contours of the hillside whenever possible, which diminishes any concerns about blighting the hillside.
The castles and mansions people enjoy building in the cove are, in my opinion, greater eyesores than any hiking trail would be. The existence of such a trail in the neighborhood (which would, of course, be predominantly used by area residents) would enhance property values by providing a unique and beautiful recreational experience.
Time and time again neighborhoods have bristled at the idea of trail networks in their area and yet, once built, people love them. It is time for people to stop using the fear of the unknown to castigate such projects and instead embrace the vitality they can bring to a neighborhood. I, for one, would love a Saturday morning trail run on the Parleys to Mt. Olympus extension of the BST.
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* JOHN H. WEIS has been a resident of the Olympus Cove neighborhood for more than 18 years.
