Moon Pass opens early

WALLACE — The Silver Valley's summer route to the Avery/Calder region of Shoshone County is now available for travel; and a week or two earlier than usual, no less.

Public Works Administrative Assistant Jessica Stutzke states that the barriers to the pass were actually taken down last Thursday, but their office is making the official announcement Monday.

Stutzke and Public Works Director Jim Cason traveled the entirety of the pass last week and noticed some loose rock toward the southern portion.

"This week, we will have crews actively working on the Avery side of the pass," she said. "It's still going to be passable, it's still going to be open, but we'd like motorists to slow down and be mindful of the guys working up there."

Public Works hopes to wrap up that work by May 13.

Those who travel the pass in the coming days should expect some minor muddy conditions, as the weather hasn't quite dried everything out just yet. Thankfully, all the ice and snow has been cleared.

"The guys did a really good job this year," Stutzke said. "It takes about 4-5 weeks from start to finish to get that path cleared up. They were breaking up ice as thick as 11 inches when they first went up."

In the past, Moon Pass is normally opened up just before Memorial Day Weekend, but Stutzke points to Mother Nature making it possible to open this year a bit earlier.

To the north, Thompson Pass has been open for roughly a month now. With Thompson, a paved highway that connects Murray/Shoshone County to Thompson Falls/Sanders County, Mont., both Shoshone and Montana agencies are involved in maintaining it.

As for Moon Pass, it simply takes county road crews longer to clear the unpaved road in those higher elevations. Moon also deals with a bit more of the human element as well.

In addition to the harsh elements keeping the rural pass from opening earlier, crews in the past have had to constantly repair road damage caused by illegal recreators who ignored barriers and signage.

Stutzke was thankful that this wasn't a problem this time around.

"We would like to thank the community," she said. "This year, they (recreators) seemed to have obeyed the cable system a little better."

Shoshone County Sheriff Mike Gunderson said in a previous interview 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."

If recreators notice any damage or obstacles on the Moon Pass Road, they are asked to call the Public Works office at 208-753-5475. Outside business hours, contact the SCSO at 208-556-1114.