Ryan
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
Just an FYI that NPS is enforcing the "no trailers until after 10/31" rule at the north/executive ramp. There were 6 trailers last week that had been unhitched from the tow vehicle, and parked towards the top of the lot, that had the bright orange parking ticket as well as a boot on the tires. That would be an unpleasant surprise for someone like me that when its time to go home it is a rush to do so.
I have mixed emotions on this. First, I didn't pace from the ramp, but from our houseboat pretty close to the Exec office, it is .7 miles to the closest parking (the one that is pretty limited to about 20 or so vehicles, and you have to have very good timing to get a spot). It is about 1.5 miles to park near the old marina store.
And the parking lot is pretty empty this time of year. I really think NPS should reevaluate this rule. It is simply too far for many to make that walk, and you shouldn't have to unhitch your truck in order to have reasonable parking.
On the other side, I never understand why those that are willing to unhitch their trailer don't just put it up in the flat, paved lot, and drive the tow vehicle down to be much closer to the ramp/slips.
Anyway, one thing I thought was worth noting is the number of people who simply don't pay attention. Those lots are very clearly marked "no trailers until after 10/31", yet it started as only 4 trailers being booted, then the next day on my walk I noticed a 5th, then the next day a 6th. So despite the signs, and the trailers they were literally parking right next to being booted, people were still oblivious to the rules. A 7th would have had the same fate. As we were unloading our boat, loading the truck, cleaning the boat after retrieval, I noticed another boater unhitching next to the 6 trailers with a boot. I mentioned the enforcement and only then did he take notice.
So for anyone who thinks that rules at Powell are broken simply due to lack of visible signs, to quote Bill Engvall, "here is your sign".....
I have mixed emotions on this. First, I didn't pace from the ramp, but from our houseboat pretty close to the Exec office, it is .7 miles to the closest parking (the one that is pretty limited to about 20 or so vehicles, and you have to have very good timing to get a spot). It is about 1.5 miles to park near the old marina store.
And the parking lot is pretty empty this time of year. I really think NPS should reevaluate this rule. It is simply too far for many to make that walk, and you shouldn't have to unhitch your truck in order to have reasonable parking.
On the other side, I never understand why those that are willing to unhitch their trailer don't just put it up in the flat, paved lot, and drive the tow vehicle down to be much closer to the ramp/slips.
Anyway, one thing I thought was worth noting is the number of people who simply don't pay attention. Those lots are very clearly marked "no trailers until after 10/31", yet it started as only 4 trailers being booted, then the next day on my walk I noticed a 5th, then the next day a 6th. So despite the signs, and the trailers they were literally parking right next to being booted, people were still oblivious to the rules. A 7th would have had the same fate. As we were unloading our boat, loading the truck, cleaning the boat after retrieval, I noticed another boater unhitching next to the 6 trailers with a boot. I mentioned the enforcement and only then did he take notice.
So for anyone who thinks that rules at Powell are broken simply due to lack of visible signs, to quote Bill Engvall, "here is your sign".....
