For those interested in the infamous Fir Is., I drove down today to check out the new dike situations. Here's the latest:

Rawlins Rd: The north/south dike that you climb up on from the road is a few ft higher and gravelled over. The tide gate is gone. The berm out toward the island is gone and replaced with driftwood, however, the big ditch is still there. Previously, when walking out there, you had to "hop" over a little stream which is now a big stream that connects with the ditch going south so you can no longer walk out along the big ditch unless you walk the logs. I tried this today and ended up log rolling (no camera) so it depends on the tide. However, I did notice some concrete footings on both sides so perhaps a bridge of some sort in the future. The only other way out there is going south on the dike and walking a log across and circling back which I and others have previously done. The north/south dike now goes all the way north to the river without any "no trespassing" signs. It'll be interesting to see how this develops over the winter. Saw harriers

Wylie Slough - The dike along the river is gone basically from the parking lot and around to the parallel path on the other side of the slough. More dikes built on the north side. You can still get out to the tide flats and there are warning signs to use at your own risk due to tidal action. The parking lot by the boat ramp is rebuilt with new restrooms and will accomodate ~ 100+ vehicles and landscaped. I've never seen any more than ~7-8 max at any one time. The slough that comes up to the parking lot (and other areas) has a lot more water in it due to the new dike configurations and is obvioiusly tidal. For all the yak'ers that come up here, bring the yaks because Wylie Slough is now definitely yakable and have talked with a few that have done it. Saw harriers/eagle/peregrine.

Some snow geese/swans starting to show up

Mark

Thanks for the update, Mark.
Ed and I were out at Rawlins awhile back and took a look. You described it .
We saw the little concrete footings---but there really doesn't seem to be a lot of room to walk down there--even if a bridge were eventually put in.
My feeling is that the hunters are going to find a way to get out there somehow.
People have been going out there for a very long time. Some--probably their whole life.
Now with no access, people are going to try to climb over the logs--and walk on narrow logs to cross the ditiches. I think it has become a very dangerous place.
Crossing those logs is not easy and carrying anything doubles the risk. I am afraid there will be a lot of accidents there this winter. I hope I am wrong. It will be interesting to see how it develops

Can you access the shore and island from the right side (going down the tree line by the river?)

As Bonnie said it is a dangerous place now and with my ankle fussed I'm thinking the only way there would be in my yak. I still can't figure out why they recked it for all of us ?? Maybe we need to organize a work pary to lash a few logs together and make our own bridge. Ed

FIR ISLAND LAST YEAR

FIR ISLAND LAST YEAR

I'll call HQ (sometime this week) and see what their intent is for the footings. I'm always game for a little work party. I did walk down into the field a bit to the 2X6 bridge that has always been there and it still is. So, there's no reason to believe you can't get out to the shoreline/island. That area wasn't touched as far as I can determine. Still have to watch the tide as I have waded that little bridge getting back...Mark

I'll spring for another 2X6--that'l make it a 2 X12 bridge!
I am not very good at crossing that one. Look ahead and don't look down!
Out further is a ditch I cannot seem to find away across.
Thanks for checking on all of this for us.

Thanks for the update, Mark. I was thinking of a road trip down there next month.

Henrik

Drove through Fir Is on the way home yesterday. At Rawlins, there is now a bridge across the ditch but not with the concrete footings. However, it's made out of two wide treated planks (~2X10s) that are anchored with 2X4s into the ground, so it's plenty wide. <<<Just for you Bonnie>>> I walked out toward the Is with no problem. The little "bridge" in the field was still dry at high tide (8.0) so maybe no more wading. Was also at Wylie slough as I'm thinking of a yak to get out to the Is amongst other trips. The river was running fast and high. I have no problem sailing across an ocean, but a yak on a fast moving river? Hmmmmm Maybe there's a way out through the "new" slough. I'm going to try and stop by HQ this fri.

Mark

mark maulden wrote:
Drove through Fir Is on the way home yesterday. At Rawlins, there is now a bridge across the ditch but not with the concrete footings. However, it's made out of two wide treated planks (~2X10s) that are anchored with 2X4s into the ground, so it's plenty wide. <<<Just for you Bonnie>>> I walked out toward the Is with no problem. The little "bridge" in the field was still dry at high tide (8.0) so maybe no more wading. Was also at Wylie slough as I'm thinking of a yak to get out to the Is amongst other trips. The river was running fast and high. I have no problem sailing across an ocean, but a yak on a fast moving river? Hmmmmm Maybe there's a way out through the "new" slough. I'm going to try and stop by HQ this fri.

Mark
Wow! That is awesome, Mark! Good to know that you can get across the ditch again with out climbing in it. Not doing a tightrope walking act helps too.
Tim did go across without the bridge and says it is a bit of tough going down where the old trail used to be---but it can be done.
When I was there last week to look, there were hunters way out by the island--so it is possible.

Thanks a million for keeping us up to speed on the changes up there Mark.

Tom

Thanks for the update Mark! It's nice there is a bridge there now. Once the muddy season hits in earnest climbing around without it would be getting pretty treacherous. Where is HQ?

Tim

Hq is at Wylie slough. It's just a trailer with a couple people working in it. It's the headquarters for Dept of fish and wildlife for Skagit. Find Wylie Rd off of Fir Is Rd outside of Conway and go as far south as possible.

Mark