Boundary to Mt. Rainier National Park to remain open… for now.

Finding lines from the Crystal Mountain north-south ridge to Highway 410 is legal…for the moment. Based on numerous appeals, the Forest Service has decided not to enforce the Mt. Rainier National Park (MNRP)/Crystal Mountain boundary closure they implemented in August. (Click here for related story) The Forest Service decided against their original requirement after reviewing the appeal record, which objected three sections of the August 2004 Record of Decision for future expansion at Crystal Mountain Resort—most noticeably the closing of the boundary between Crystal Mountain's Special Use Permit area and MRNP.

"We affirmed the decision of the Forest Service superintendent except that the boundary not be closed," says Kimberly Bown, Forest Service appeals officer and author of the Decision Appeal Review. "The forest service will work with Rainier Park on that part of the decision."

In response to the ROD, appellants objected the boundary closure as well as the development of East Peak and the termination of avalanche control in Kemper basin. Although the Forest Service reversed the boundary decision, officials maintained their original position on the remaining two issues.

"I'm OK with the decision," says Bruce McQuistan, one of the four appellants who appealed the ROD. "I'm ambivalent about the East Peak chair. It's sort of cool to have one of the peaks up there hike-access only."

Sources say MRNP administrators are not pleased with the appeal response. Rumors are circulating that park officials may try to rescind some agreements that would prevent many skiers from accessing the South Backcountry.

Bottom Line: Ski it while you still can.