Moon and Thompson passes closed for season
A snow plow works to clear the road near a tunnel on Moon Pass in 2019.
Photo by KEN SIMPSON
Silver Valley residents looking for the shortest route to Thompson Falls or the St. Joe region of Shoshone County are now out of luck, as the two mountain passes that make those trips possible are now closed.
Shoshone County Public Works Director Jim Cason announced on Monday that Thompson Pass and Moon Pass are now closed to automobile traffic for the winter season.
Public Works Administrative Assistant Jessica Stutzke explains that road crews have installed signage to warn drivers that those passes are no longer maintained for travel.
"The snow load is so much that it's just impossible to keep up with it," she said.
With Thompson Pass, a paved highway that connects Murray/Shoshone County to Thompson Falls/Sanders County, Mont., both agencies who are involved in maintaining it agree to close it on both sides so everyone is on the same page.
As for Moon Pass, the Silver Valley's summer link to Avery/Calder, county road crews simply cannot maintain the unpaved road in those higher elevations. Shoshone County Sheriff Mike Gunderson said that his office, along with other local agencies, have had issues in the past with people who think they can best the hazardous conditions.
"Every year, we rescue several people that try to operate motor vehicles over Moon Pass. This not only puts a strain on resources, but is dangerous as this trail is not used daily, so people can be stuck for several days before being encountered."
In addition to it simply being dangerous, Gunderson adds that people who try to travel the closed passes can face repercussions such as being financially responsible for the resources used to rescue them and being issued one of many different types of misdemeanor citations — all of which come with hefty fines and possibly jail time.
Until roughly late-April/May 2021 when the passes reopen, drivers looking to make it to Thompson Falls will have to utilize either Highway 135 from St. Regis to Highway 200, or Highway 200 from Sandpoint. For Silver Valley to St. Joe region drivers, the only route is Highway 3 to St. Maries.
Cason appreciates everyone's cooperation by not attempting to utilize Thompson or Moon Pass during the winter months.
Contact the Shoshone County Public Works Department at 208-753-5475 with any questions or comments.