Road history sparked interest

span.deletedtext { background-color: red; background-attachment: scroll; background-repeat: repeat; }span.embeddedtag { background-color: yellow; background-attachment: scroll; background-repeat: repeat; }span.note { background-color: lime; background-attachment: scroll; background-repeat: repeat; } Judging from the telephone calls, letters and e-mails I have received, readers have enjoyed the history of the North Fork Road, which made up the last two columns. As noted previously, except for very few personal observations, all of the information was taken from a U.S. Forest Service report written by Fred Burnell and was published June 4, 1980.

Mr. Burnell obtained his information from a variety of Forest Service reports written between 1912 and 1967 as well as interviews with retired Forest Service employees Ralph Thayer, Ed Neitzling, Flip Darling and Charlie Shaw. He also interviewed or obtained written material from early-day settlers Esther Day and Marie Price Peterson and former Flathead County Commissioner Austin Monk. Almost as interesting as the history of the road is the 1961-1962 road-usage report prepared by the Forest Service.

In 1961, traffic included 8,347 logging trucks and 10,190 trips by other vehicles associated with logging activity. Administrative traffic by the Forest Service was 3,013 trips, visitor traffic was 17,803 trips, and public service was 5,846 trips for a total of 45,199 trips.

In 1962, traffic increased to 64,240 trips, with logging use remaining static. Non-logging traffic increased at a rate of 5 to 10 percent per year until 1980. Today, logging activity is much less than in 1961, but it would be interesting to know how much of today's traffic is landowner-generated and how much is tourist-related. Government traffic, generated by the U.S. Border Patrol, Forest Service and National Park Service might also be interesting.

While I have been covering the history of the road, we have also had ongoing issues. The Park usually lets Camas Road melt off, but this year it was plowed and is now open to the public.

Flathead County has been busy, too. The North Fork has been graded from Columbia Falls to Big Creek, and we hope they will continue north of Polebridge where the road is really rough.

Wurtz Hill, which has been stable for the last few years, slumped again this week and was limited to one-lane traffic until the county came up with equipment on Friday. They installed a larger culvert, and the road is open but remains a concern. North of Trail Creek, the road is very poor, with standing water and at least a potential for bottomless mud.

In addition to everything else, the remaining snow has everyone concerned about flooding. Biggest risk is the Polebridge area and especially the hostel, which has been surrounded by water on several occasions and had four feet of water in the lodge at least once.

It will all depend on the runoff. Barring a major rain, we maybe OK, but those living along the river should make plans for removing valuables and say their prayers every day until June 15. What do you think?