We lost another Dive site

[Pez7378]

This time it's for good. This site is now inaccessible as a shore dive. Some time ago, Maverick posted a thread relating our experience with a WDFW officer who told us we could be fined for trespassing on the train tracks we had to cross to get to the water. Well, I went there this past weekend and there is now a huge fence blocking all access. Perhaps it'll be good for the site, only because it won't see many divers. It'll still be a great boat dive for those with access to boats to dive from!

I'll post the pictures I took of the site with the fence installed later when I get home.

Subject: 100 FT Rock

Subject: $271 dollar fee to dive 100' Rock

[John Rawlings]

:angry:

Damn! I'm really sorry to hear that. I've always loved diving that site! I'm surprised that they can actually get away with blocking it - I would think that the local landowners would be pissed because their access to the public beach is blocked as well, although I'm certain that law enforcement would probably "look the other way" in their case.

- John

[Nwbrewer]

:angry:

Damn! I'm really sorry to hear that. I've always loved diving that site! I'm surprised that they can actually get away with blocking it - I would think that the local landowners would be pissed because their access to the public beach is blocked as well, although I'm certain that law enforcement would probably "look the other way" in their case.

- John

I believe input from local land owners had a lot to do with getting it closed. Access there seemed to be an attraction for elements people of that income level did not want in their neighborhood. :angry:

Fishstiq talked to some folks from BN who told him that this is a cooperative thing between BN and the city. Even crossing the RR tracks at that location was trespassing, either on BN property, or on the property of the old marina land owner.

It definitely sucks though. 100' rock was a fun site.

[renoun]

There has been long running conflicts with the railroads about access to the Columbia River Gorge since there are railroads on both sides of the river. Both fishermen and windsurfers desire access to long reaches of the river that have railroad tracks between the road and the shore. My understanding is that the railroads are unyielding about access unless some sort of formal crossing can be defined which takes years, lots of effort, and usually some sort of government sponsorship. It would take a strong effort by our new friends in Mukelto government that is probaby better directed in other directions.

I wouldn't cross there now, it will probably receive lots of patrolling this summer. Since the days of the wild west railroads have been allowed to have their own police forces and BNSF still patrols their tracks vigorously. I believe that two or three folks, who were not encumbered by scuba gear, have been killed crossing beach side railroad tracks in the Seattle area so far this year.

[John Rawlings]

I believe input from local land owners had a lot to do with getting it closed. Access there seemed to be an attraction for elements that people of that income level did not want in their neighborhood. :angry:

Yeah....I believe you are correct, and I actually understand their viewpoint. Over the years I have found the "remnants" of a lot of parties there on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and I'm pretty certain they weren't left by respectable, calm and collected groups.....

It's still a shame, though.

I need to buy a boat just so that I can dive sites I used to be able to get to from shore....

- John

[John Rawlings]

It would take a strong effort by our new friends in Mukelto government that is probaby better directed in other directions.

100 Foot Rock isn't within the city limits of Mukilteo, so they wouldn't be of any help even if they wanted to be....

[Mattleycrue76]

This does suck. I've always wanted to go check that site out. On the bright side I do have a boat so maybe I'll have to put something together in that direction. Does anyone know of a good second site to hit before or after in the vicinity? If I'm gonna break out the boat I'd rather make it a two tanker.

[Pez7378]

PP ferry and the fingers are relatively close.

[dsteding]

PP ferry and the fingers are relatively close.

Gedney Island barges?

Hat?

Boeing Creek Reef (to the south)?

[Nwbrewer]

PP ferry and the fingers are relatively close.

Gedney Island barges?

Hat?

Boeing Creek Reef (to the south)?

If you have a boat, do two of those 4 rather than 100' rock.

[CaptnJack]

If you have a boat, do two of those 4 rather than 100' rock.

Umm yeah after the PP ferry, Fingers or Gedney (Hat) 100ft rock will seem kinda lame.

[Mattleycrue76]

If you have a boat, do two of those 4 rather than 100' rock.

Umm yeah after the PP ferry, Fingers or Gedney (Hat) 100ft rock will seem kinda lame.

Good Point, I was under the impression that 100ft rock is one of the less current sensitive sites? If that's true couldn't it make a good back up site or second dive site on a big exchange day?

[Pez7378]

If you have a boat, do two of those 4 rather than 100' rock.

Umm yeah after the PP ferry, Fingers or Gedney (Hat) 100ft rock will seem kinda lame.

Geez guys . If we all thought like you, nobody would be diving anywhere....ever. IMO after diving 100ft Rock, the Muk clay wall seems kinda lame, but it was worth our time and effort to attend city hall meetings so we could preserve that site.

It may not be worth the effort to launch a boat, and use the fuel to get there, but it's still a great dive site, even if you only do it once.

[CaptnJack]

If you have a boat, do two of those 4 rather than 100' rock.

Umm yeah after the PP ferry, Fingers or Gedney (Hat) 100ft rock will seem kinda lame.

Geez guys . If we all thought like you, nobody would be diving anywhere....ever. IMO after diving 100ft Rock, the Muk clay wall seems kinda lame, but it was worth our time and effort to attend city hall meetings so we could preserve that site.

It may not be worth the effort to launch a boat, and use the fuel to get there, but it's still a great dive site, even if you only do it once.

We were just putting a "oh well" spin on it! 100ft rock is worth doing, but not worth getting hit by a train over.

PP fingers are not current sensitive, neither is Boeing Cr reef (well maybe a tiny bit).

[Nwbrewer]

I loved diving 100' rock. I agree, it was more fun than the clay walls, and way less current sensitive. I never really worried about the trains, you can see far enough in each direction, if you stayed aware of the potential danger, you were gonna be able to get out of the way in plenty of time.

The difference in terms of fighting this, is that the Mukilteo clay walls, and Langley reefs are both city controlled property. the argument is easy to make that the public (us) should be able to get access, or at the very least it should be considered. This access site no matter how you slice it is somebodies private property, and diving there was technically trespassing.. They have the right to deny the public access to their property. Do I think it sucks? Yes, but I don't see much of an argument for retaining access.

If you've never done it, and you have a boat, go for it, it's easy to find, just anchor and drop down the buoy line, and swim down the valley. I'm just sayin' for me, if I'm going to take the time to fuel the boat and take it out there, I'd probably choose somewhere more interesting to dive. For shore diving it was a really nice, unique site.

[Scuba Jon]

100ft rock is an awesome site if you are into macro photography. I could always find many cool critters to point my video camera at there. I will really miss that site. Hopefully, with the passage of a little time, that fence will go away and we will have access to it again.

Randy

[RDW]

No, just the shore access to this site. Actually, the issue over trespassing on the railroad tracks is not new.
After a couple of deaths due to people walking on the tracks and other incursions, BNSF Railroad Police have
stepped-up enforcement here and at other problem areas (Golden Gardens being one) and at Meadow Point.
This has been going on for many a year now. Nothing new about it.

[dwashbur]

And I have no doubt that some people who either got hit or had relatives get hit on the tracks found themselves an ambulance-chaser willing to sue the railroad, even though people who die on railroad tracks generally die of stupidity. I can see both sides of this one.

[BASSMAN]

We have a couple of sites down at the South end that require going across the train tracks. While I don't see any reason to close the access, I have noticed specifically at Titlow, The teens seem to like just hanging out, on the tracks there.
As I've seen many cargo type trains go by, I once saw a passenger train go past and WOW! It was moving and not slowing down for anything. So if there are passenger trains on those tracks I would understand a reason for closure.
But, other than a Boat, is there no ther way to get to this site? I've wanted to dive this site for a long time and now it looks as if I wont be able to.
Do we have Any Options?

[Nwbrewer]

We have a couple of sites down at the South end that require going across the train tracks. While I don't see any reason to close the access, I have noticed specifically at Titlow, The teens seem to like just hanging out, on the tracks there.
As I've seen many cargo type trains go by, I once saw a passenger train go past and WOW! It was moving and not slowing down for anything. So if there are passenger trains on those tracks I would understand a reason for closure.
But, other than a Boat, is there no ther way to get to this site? I've wanted to dive this site for a long time and now it looks as if I wont be able to.
Do we have Any Options?

Anything is possible. There are options for diving this site. Other than using a boat you could -

A) Get in at EUP on a slack tide before flood. You'll need 3 CUDA's, some double 130's, and 5-6 stages. Haul a$$ to the north on a 50' contour until you find the buoy. Turn left to the rock. You batteries and gas will be spent. Surface, inflate SMB, and drift for a day or so back to EUP.

B) This option is best done as a night dive. Talk to a guy who owns a large green van full of tools. Have him drive by the site, where you'll exit said van fully geared up. Use bolt cutters (found in the van) to cut through the fence, play Frogger with the trains, and drop in. The rest is easy.

C) (This option may work, but I doubt it) 100' rock is actually several hundred yards to the south of where people had been parking. It's in front of someone's house. Convince the land owner to let you access the shore via their property. Go diving.

Or find someone with a boat who's willing to take you. Mattleycrue has a boat, and I'll bet he could be talked into diving on a Thursday.....

[Scuba Jon]

We have a couple of sites down at the South end that require going across the train tracks. While I don't see any reason to close the access, I have noticed specifically at Titlow, The teens seem to like just hanging out, on the tracks there.
As I've seen many cargo type trains go by, I once saw a passenger train go past and WOW! It was moving and not slowing down for anything. So if there are passenger trains on those tracks I would understand a reason for closure.
But, other than a Boat, is there no ther way to get to this site? I've wanted to dive this site for a long time and now it looks as if I wont be able to.
Do we have Any Options?

Anything is possible. There are options for diving this site. Other than using a boat you could -

A) Get in at EUP on a slack tide before flood. You'll need 3 CUDA's, some double 130's, and 5-6 stages. Haul a$$ to the north on a 50' contour until you find the buoy. Turn left to the rock. You batteries and gas will be spent. Surface, inflate SMB, and drift for a day or so back to EUP.

B) This option is best done as a night dive. Talk to a guy who owns a large green van full of tools. Have him drive by the site, where you'll exit said van fully geared up. Use bolt cutters (found in the van) to cut through the fence, play Frogger with the trains, and drop in. The rest is easy.

C) (This option may work, but I doubt it) 100' rock is actually several hundred yards to the south of where people had been parking. It's in front of someone's house. Convince the land owner to let you access the shore via their property. Go diving.

Or find someone with a boat who's willing to take you. Mattleycrue has a boat, and I'll bet he could be talked into diving on a Thursday.....

You missed option "D"
About a mile north of the now closed access to 100 foot rock is a park with beach access (underpass gets you to the water side of the tracks). You park in their parking lot, suit up, hike the mile from the lot to the beach down the windy, steep dirt trail to the water. Get in and do a surface swim till you are above the rock (more than a mile) and do your dive. Reverse the process to get back to your car. As an added bonus, this way does not require anything more than an aluminum 80 since most of the trip is above the surface!

[BASSMAN]

C) (This option may work, but I doubt it) 100' rock is actually several hundred yards to the south of where people had been parking. It's in front of someone's house. Convince the land owner to let you access the shore via their property. Go diving.

Hey? Mr. Sund makes good money at Sund Rock! This site may not be of Sund Rock quality but I bet we could strike up a deal like $5.00 per diver. Who lives close enough to with this guy?

[TCWestby]

Frankly, I like the idea of...

Buying the marina and put in an elevator into the water. Re-start the boat rental and put in a dive shop.

Okay, where's my rich uncle?

[Pez7378]

Frankly, I like the idea of...

Buying the marina and put in an elevator the the water. Re-stare the boat rental and put in a dive shop.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/201101 ... /701229934

I bet you could help the owner out of bankruptcy if you could come up with $300,000 for the now deteriorating boathouse.

[oldsalt]

Frankly, I like the idea of...

Buying the marina and put in an elevator the the water. Re-stare the boat rental and put in a dive shop.

Okay, where's my rich uncle, Hey Obama, since you are blowing all that money why not spend it on something someone will actually use?

Years ago a group of us paid the boat launching fee at the marina and they lowered is into the water. Upon the completion of the dive, the operator lowered the boat platform and picked us up. In effect, an elevator to the water. Good times.
- Curt