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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 16, 2013 14:47:06 GMT -5
Senate Deal Reached - Senate leaders agreed on a deal to end the shutdown and avoid a default on the nation's debt. House Vote remains - politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/16/senate-reaches-deal-to-end-shutdown-avoid-default/US House Speaker Boehner says House won't block vote on Bipartisan Senate deal on budget, expects Government Shutdown to end Thursday. Will the Red River Gorge quickly turn around restoring the workforce, opening the gates and rescinding the Closure Order ... unknown at this time. Please Standby.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 16, 2013 14:05:50 GMT -5
Following the news carefully today. Bill to end the Shutdown could be signed as early as tonight. However just how quickly they would restore workforce to the RRG, open the gates and remove the Curfew Order is unknown at this time. Standby.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 16, 2013 5:40:27 GMT -5
Our group does an annual cleanup in the major area we stay as well. Year before, we removed 6 trash bags of garbage from a site on Indian Creek. This past September we removed only 2, I'd like to think that the increased USFS trash pickups have really helped. In backcountry, we often run into situations like karenoel describes above, whether it be a short or long hike. We always do the right thing and leave a place cleaner than when we found it. Is this not the only real power that we as normal visitors have, short of reporting violating individuals we might actually see?
Also, have unconfirmed information from another site that the ticket for violating the conditions of the Government Shutdown RRG Closure is $125.00 per individual. Being caught there between 10pm to 6am either parking or camping.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 14, 2013 17:40:58 GMT -5
Another excellent post stephcarson.
Greg, I have another alternative however I cannot post it openly. It is legal ... but need to discuss. Email me at redriversaga@yahoo.com for details. Let's hope they get this thing settled soon so all this will be rendered academic.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 14, 2013 13:15:18 GMT -5
I can certainly understand where you are coming from Greg. In 2014, The Red River Saga will undertake its 38th Annual Venture, it has become a monumental tradition and one that is very important to us ... so I get you. The fast answer is Natural Bridge State Park and yes you are correct, all State Parks have remained open. Being nearby to Red River Gorge the areas of course are very similar. I would still like to hold out hope that you may get into the RRG. Like I said earlier, "It is not impossible, just improbable at this time". We'll keep our fingers crossed. With the plan of going to the Natural Bridge Area, should the Shutdown be resolved DURING your stay, you will retain the option of picking up and moving back to your traditional home.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 14, 2013 12:40:09 GMT -5
Thanks to stephcarson for really bringing it in an excellent post.
Greg at this point in time given the perimeters of your question .. NO, do not come down. Even if the Government Shutdown were to be resolved soon there is no guarantee that the Gorge will be fully operational with access during your timeframe. As each day passes the chances of your weekend taking place legally as you so wish grow dim; however, it is not impossible just improbable at this point. Because of the October 17th US Government Debt Ceiling, we here at RRGtoday.com are monitoring the news carefully and we will post, the hopefully good news, just as soon as possible.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 12, 2013 11:36:36 GMT -5
Thank You limpingduck, appreciate the information.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 10, 2013 23:00:18 GMT -5
77 & 715 are open roads thus the Nada Tunnel is still open. I do not know if the Parking Lot leading to Indian Staircase (Bison Trail Way) is gated. We would imagine that they remain open for use but it would be nice if someone would post to let us know for certain.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 9, 2013 14:54:57 GMT -5
Frustration is understandably running high, let us all hope this shutdown will end soon. The date to watch for is October 17th when the USA actually runs out of money to pay its bills and the debt ceiling must be adjusted. Essentially one more week to go, we hope at the most, to wait until this situation should be over ... but never forgotten. Thanks to everyone who has expressed their deep feelings for the Red River Gorge.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 9, 2013 5:43:14 GMT -5
Forest Service Road #39 is closed. Approaching that direction you would walk the entire length of the gravel road (a few miles). Upon reaching the Auxier Ridge Parking Area then your hike would begin.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 8, 2013 6:15:29 GMT -5
Roads were closed and backcountry camping was prohibited this weekend (Oct. 2013) at the Red River Gorge Geological Area in the Daniel Boone National Forest. 'Due to the lapse in agency funding, the sale of all types of permits (i.e., recreation, firewood, forest products, mineral materials for example) are suspended, recreation.gov reservations are suspended, and all federally owned recreation sites are closed. All offices are closed. These services will be available once funding is restored.' Photos: www.flickr.com/photos/shannon_tompkins/10132676133/in/photolist-groBAD-grmMDP/
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 4, 2013 11:24:55 GMT -5
No, None. If you are caught overnight camping outside those listed privately operated campgrounds listed above you will be fined. We are unaware of the cost of the fine. Based on this you should not be parking/camping anywhere within the gorge which does not fall inside those listed, privately operated campgrounds. This of course refers to the 10pm to 6am timeframe set by the USFS.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 3, 2013 20:10:04 GMT -5
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 3, 2013 20:00:53 GMT -5
Established parking areas are still fine. However most refer to parking in front of the gates which block the Forest Service Roads 9, 10, 39, 24, 245. Should the gate be obstructed or some other vehicle be blocked in, it is possible Law Enforcement may have offending vehicles towed.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 3, 2013 10:29:54 GMT -5
We have gotten an expected word back from a trusted source. USFS Law Enforcement is considered essential personnel and remain working the RRG. Though they will not be writing tickets for Recreation Passes, it will be business as usual for them. They could and would write tickets for blocking gates and probably would have a vehicle towed. Feelings are that there could be fewer visitors to the RRG due to the perception of the public regarding the Government Shutdown. Could vandalism increase? ... unknown, could not say for certain one way or the other. However, USFS Law Enforcement is out there and will be preforming their job fighting against such illegal activities.
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