Yarborough Pass is a unique place that is near and dear to my heart for a lot of reasons. I keep up with it as best I can through various boards.
However, since it closed due to deteriorating road conditions, I have heard nothing other than Towboat Trash (Colin) mentioning something about a plan he saw for its repair in one of his posts. I hope he or someone else chimes in with some info. on the proposed solution.
From some of the posts made on this board which included comments (I believe) from someone connected to the park-the fix was rather substantial and there was some doubt as to to whether the pass road could be reopened in the short term due to the permanent nature of the fixes and lag in park funding for such things.
My take: Yarborough pass minus the condition of the road is fine as it is. It is a primitive area and requires no additional amenities. The pick-nick tables and shades were nice and showed that the park had not completely forgotten about the area, but really didn't accomplish anything.
As far as the fix goes: I am in the road building business and a "permanent" fix for Yarborough is indeed a a big project if such a thing can actual be accomplished. However, I am not sure that is the best idea. As I understand it, the issue is that no matter what subgrade is put down for a road it always sinks and people get out of control with their vehicles and create deep ruts in wet conditions.
I think the best line of thinking is to admit defeat and concede that the road will always need to be maintained-and by maintained I mean in addition to keeping the dune pass open which has obviously been done periodically.
As for the maintenance, no one expects a nice based road all the time, but those VW sized pot holes have to go. From my experience the best material for filling them in is bull rock used in construction entrances. If no limestone bull rock is available, recycled concrete would work, or granite rock for that matter. These materials are more stable than any road base and will bridge the areas of concern, Of course, over time more areas will develop, but the fix is simple. It might even behoove the park to create a stockpile area off to the side of the pass road that can be restocked when conditions allow.
As the road sinks and deteriorates, simply fill the holes with the stable rock material. Rise and repeat. Nominal costs and the area maintains its primitive ambiance. But what do I know. CorpusFishing what say you?
From what I've heard, the park is looking at getting a crew from Big Bend National Park to come in and fix the road. I did hear this from a park employee who seems to be in the know. Hopefully they will bring some experience and knowledge with them as they have hundreds of miles of similar roads in their park. Jeff Wolda
Joined: 25 May 2009 Posts: 615 Location: somewhere on 130 miles of beach
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2017 8:52 am Post subject:
Jiggyz, I hate to comment because I'm really not the one to speak on ongoing/developing park issues like this one, but yes there was a crew going to come in, however due to various causes they aren't going to be able to come right away, at least not at this point. All of this is still a fluid issue, and maybe those directly involved will comment if they are able. Again, that was only the last information I received, and I'm not qualified to say what will or might be.
Totally agree with you on the "out of control" element. Between the destruction of the algal mat by 4-wheeling individuals that caused the cable to go up and the complete creation of new roads through the sedges around mud holes when the road was flooded out by heavy rains, a few bad apples have caused many more folks with common sense and care for our Park to lose access, at least temporarily. But then again, we all know that isn't the first time here locally that this has happened to those of us who have been using various fishing/duck hunting spots responsibly for years. At the end of the day, what was originally just a quick and fast road for Humble and Sun Oil Companies in the 50's and 60's was never intended for such heavy use as is seen today, and the Park is well aware and working on the fix. _________________ Protect Padre at all costs for future generations to use and enjoy and never forget our freedoms aren't free.
Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 790 Location: North Padre Island
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2017 10:17 am Post subject:
Yarborough is one of my favorite fly fishing spots for drum. I hope they follow through and fix it. I did somewhat liked the fact that it was a nasty drive to get back there. It kept the crowds down.
Yarborough is one of my favorite fly fishing spots for drum. I hope they follow through and fix it. I did somewhat liked the fact that it was a nasty drive to get back there. It kept the crowds down.
That is part of the allure of the spot. Nobody just happens to just get there-you have to be going there.
Although during the summer when I camp back there for days at a time it can still get pretty busy on the weekends. I have seen some crazy stuff go on back there to boot. Visits from the park are pretty rare as well, although I must admit I am out on the water during the day so I might have missed them.
Good to hear there are plans. It really wouldn't take much to make it work. In fact with that stockpile of rock, I would guess that the road might get maintained on its own and it would make an excellent snake habitat.
Another thing I would like to see:
A couple of planned pull over areas for traffic ease.
I wanted to see if any new information has come to light on Yarborough.
I completed my annual spring bay trip last month which was ironically held at Matagorda (fishing sucked) because Yarborough was still closed.
However, one of my fishing buddies heard that a reopening was in the works with a date of July 1ish.-I am assuming 2018. Can the Corpus Fishing dot com brain trust add anything, deny, confirm etc.?
NPS website still says closed until further notice as of last night.
I wanted to see if any new information has come to light on Yarborough.
I completed my annual spring bay trip last month which was ironically held at Matagorda (fishing sucked) because Yarborough was still closed.
However, one of my fishing buddies heard that a reopening was in the works with a date of July 1ish.-I am assuming 2018. Can the Corpus Fishing dot com brain trust add anything, deny, confirm etc.?
NPS website still says closed until further notice as of last night.
That's a great question and fell off my radar. Friends of Padre was looking into this and I think I will put this back up for discussion about how to proceed. _________________ Like Corpusfishing.com on Facebook!
The park was looking to get the big equipment help from fire fighting branch at Big Thicket Park since Yarborough Pass is also a firebreak. Work was supposed to start in May but now the Big Thicket guys have been fighting fires with the recent lack of rain so now they are saying before September. _________________ Like Corpusfishing.com on Facebook!
The park was looking to get the big equipment help from fire fighting branch at Big Thicket Park since Yarborough Pass is also a firebreak. Work was supposed to start in May but now the Big Thicket guys have been fighting fires with the recent lack of rain so now they are saying before September.
The park was looking to get the big equipment help from fire fighting branch at Big Thicket Park since Yarborough Pass is also a firebreak. Work was supposed to start in May but now the Big Thicket guys have been fighting fires with the recent lack of rain so now they are saying before September.
Ah, the old firebreak loop hole.
Any discussion as to what the fix would entail?
Thanks.
They are hoping to redo the roadbed entirely so that it might last at least ten years. Stay tuned. _________________ Like Corpusfishing.com on Facebook!
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