[Jim Jenkins]

For those of you on here may remember I was on a mission last year to try and find out why we didn’t have access to Ebey L. anymore. I will share some of what I found out. Yes, the lake is on DNR land, this however does not guarantee access though. The biggest problem is the main road up to the DNR gate is privately owned, thus the gate is legal. There was an alternate road off of the main one near the power lines but this was a temporary easement for logging the south end of the lake. What I thought was weird was the WDFW still shows this lake in the regs pamphlet. They say they can’t do anything about the gate. The DNR gate you used to be able to drive up to was installed because of vandalism to the out house and all the trash at the lake. This lake has not been stocked by the WDFW as someone stated above. It was stock by the local fly fishing club by back packing them in. I had heard that they were supplied by the WDFW though. I can appreciate trying to get this lake back open to all but it will be a battle against the property owners, not the state, DNR or WDFW. I have already written letters and got the big run-around from agency to agency. Even after all that, I can tell you there is NO one you can call that will give you the answer your looking for. At this point I have pretty much given up. I thought about trying to contact the property owner that is in control of the gate to see if he will let us have access through some agreement ($$$). The only other thing that might be able to do is buy some property above the gate, then you have the right through easements to gain access. Maybe as a fly fishing group or club, some of us got together, we might be able to buy a small piece of property right next to the DNR gate. Make some parking places and even a small area to camp if you wanted too. It would probably be cheaper than trying to fight the land owners in the courts.
Jim J.

 

[Jim Jenkins]

OK, I will do a bit more research, since I really would like to see people get access again. My wife just happens to work at a title company, so I can get things that would otherwise cost a bunch. I can try and find out who/whom owns the land next to the DNR gate up above the private gate. If it is possible to find out, then you'd have to figure out how to sub-divide it to get a small piece, wouldn't take much, all you need is a deed and the right of way comes with it. I will keep all informed as to anything I find out. Personally, I'd like to see the land put in a living trust so access would always be there, for future generations. I would put money's towards that. This way no one would own it and it could never be taken away again!!! Don't get your hopes up to high though, its a good idea so far, that's all, no promise's, OK? It would take a lot more that just a couple people on a chat board to pull this off.
Jim J.

 

[Jim Jenkins]

I believe the road you are talking about is a logging road that takes off to the east just past the houses on the south side of the mountain. Let us know if you find a way in. The road that leds off to the the NW at the power lines has a big No Trespassing sign on it. If you go up that road it looks like you'll need the 4X4. Good luck.
Jim J.