I wonder if the tow truck driver was allowed to take the regular route in and out? I can't imagine towing a busted vehical out the detour and through the bad hill section. Either way I am glad I don't have to pay that tow bill.

So what is the current status of the BV access road?

Come on now someone must Know if the regular route has been reopened or not. Please post up.

I climbed in BV canyon from May 30 - June 3 and the "traditional" access road was still not open. However, the 4WD road (access is impeccably described on Jed Botsford's site & posts) was perfect. We rented a Jeep Liberty to make sure our access wouldn't be denied, which worked great. There was a regular Volvo and a Pontiac-something rental car at the trailhead, so you can make it without a 4WD. The total time from highway to trailhead parking was 25 minutes 1-way. The 4WD way is marked with white signs & arrows stating "To BV Canyon". Unless some dork took these out, the access is very, very clear. If you can't find access information per Jed's past postings, please advise as I took notes and can pass them along:

Generally though, your access is the 1st PAVED entrance with a CATTLE GUARD that is past the original entrance on route 160 heading away from Blue Diamond. Take a left over the cattle guard and follow the signs...Climb safe. JE

I climbed in BV canyon from May 30 - June 3 and the "traditional" access road was still not open. However, the 4WD road (access is impeccably described on Jed Botsford's site & posts) was perfect. We rented a Jeep Liberty to make sure our access wouldn't be denied, which worked great. There was a regular Volvo and a Pontiac-something rental car at the trailhead, so you can make it without a 4WD. The total time from highway to trailhead parking was 25 minutes 1-way. The 4WD way is marked with white signs & arrows stating "To BV Canyon". Unless some dork took these out, the access is very, very clear. If you can't find access information per Jed's past postings, please advise as I took notes and can pass them along:

Generally though, your access is the 1st PAVED entrance with a CATTLE GUARD that is past the original entrance on route 160 heading away from Blue Diamond. Take a left over the cattle guard and follow the signs...Climb safe. JE

Hi Larry thanks for the post. It's nice to be kept informed.

Here's the latest update on the access to Black Velvet Canyon....

I don't know about anyone else, but that gate looks inviting.
josh

The parking area is an eyesore of black tarmac. It is complete from what I can tell, I visited the area Friday evening. We were glad to see no other vehicles on either side of the highway. We has just enough time for a 3 mile trail run in the evening breeze. We had the entire area to ourselves; just us, the coyotes, the burros, the quail, and the bats.


There is a posted letter on the sign that is written directly to Jed regarding the closure since February and the potential response from the public. Evidently, the problem is one with NDOT. Never the less, as Phil noted, climbers are the last people who will be awarded a priority when it comes to BLM decisions about this closure.

Sorry to open this again, but is this road open or not? We're gonna do Frogland tomorrow. Just wondering. Thanks! C.

The standard Black Velvet approach road is STILL CLOSED. We were just out there today and the alternate drive in is in the worst condition I've ever seen it.

I've been out there about ten times this summer and the road has been okay, but yesterday's rain storm did some real damage to the first mile of road. The section of streambed has become especially washed out and difficult to navigate. We were still able to get through it in my 2WD truck but I was surprised to find the deterioration.

The parking lot and road to BV cannot be open because the contractor has not completed the work that is required in the contract. The contract was for the contractor to renovate the parking lot and connect it to SR 160 with a new approach and acceleration lanes and deceleration lanes. Until the contract is done the parking lot and road to BV cannot be opened because he is liable for any problems or accidents. Slim as that may be that is the way contracting works with the BLM
Yes the parking lot is done, but the new approach, acceleration and deceleration lanes have been held up by NDOT. Basically, NDOT passed the buck multiple times and did not give the contractor the permits to do the Hwy work in their Right of Way. NDOT not the contractor or the BLM has been the problem here.
So that is all good to know, but what will happen next? Finally the contractor has received the permits to work in the NDOT right of way and is currently scheduling the work to be done by Las Vegas Paving. He is still trying to get the traffic control plan approved.

Thanks Jed and others. We did the 'alternate' way in and yes indeed it SUCKS! Got lost second guessing ourselves and finally found the real way in, LOL. We did however have the entire canyon to ourselves, pretty cool to do Frogland with no one else anywhere around!

I talked to LV Paving this afternoon. They look to begin construction on this project starting next week with a two week construction time. If all goes according to plan(weather dependent) they will complete the work by the 19th/20th of September.

Good new everybody. The work to connect the parking lot to the Hwy should be starting today. The contractor is expecting to be done by 19th.

Pardon me for being clueless, but maybe someone can help with a very basic question:

Once the construction is completed, will it be practicable to access Black Velvet with a non-4x4? I was out there once before in 2003 or so, but don't really remember the roads since I was a passenger (and was in a 4x4 that time, in any case).

Thanks in advance!

Thanks!!

And now for the next question:

Is there word on whether the work got done on schedule on the 19th?

Any report greatly appreciated!

screw this bypass on the way out missed the 3inch wide signs, ran over a bush ,scratched my truck jumped off into the wash went in circles in the desert for an hour...sucks.rex

Bummer. I take it that means the construction is not yet complete? Any revised date forecast? (I fly in on 9/27, and am really hoping it'll be done by then...)

Keep going past this, and past mile marker 16 for about 3/4 of a mile and take a dirt road on your right that is marked with plastic brown stakes that have direction arrows to Black Velvet and back to the highway. It is about a 4 mile journey on a pretty rocky and windy desert road, but I have a low clearance vehicle that made it no problem. Just follow the signs and believe. It will shorten the walk immensely.

I am glad to announce that finally after months of the road to Black Velvet being closed, it is now open again.
Have fun out there everybody and climb safe.

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!

I've got pant full of bone right now!