Monthly Archives: February 2014

Rock on road

The recent heavy February rain has done more than make the river rise and get the snow pack closer to normal. All the small side streams have more than their normal flow and as the ground gets saturated, things get loose. This huge rock rolled out of a spot 15′ above the road just a little before the Island Drop river view at MP 4. Always pay close attention while driving the Middle Fork road as rocks, and especially trees come down regularly.

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Big rock falls on the Middle Fork

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Another reason to keep your speed down

Speed Kills

An unnecessary tragedy occurred on February 8, 2014 when a Toyota Land Cruiser going too fast heading up the Middle Fork road veered out of control, shearing off trees and coming to rest on boulders ten feet below the road bed. Car parts were scattered throughout the area indicating a particularly violent collision. 17-year-old Calvin Hancock was sitting in the rear passenger seat and was killed, pronounced dead at the scene. The three others in the car were brought to the hospital to be treated for injuries. The group were on their way to rescue other friends who had vehicle trouble further up the road.

This road in particular is not safe for fast driving, if any are. Calvin’s mother expressed appropriate grief and anger in response to this accident as a comment to a Snoqualmie Valley Record story – “The boy who died was our son. I hope all of his classmates learn from this tragic event. Too much speed and lack of driving experience are the sole reason for what happened. Your parents aren’t trying to bother you. Your parents have experience. The next time an officer pulls you over and yells at you for being an idiot, remember that he may have just seen one of these horrible, horrible accidents and another dead teen.” Amen to that.

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Site of accident at MP 6.4

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Memorial photo and flowers



Related coverage

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    Calvin Hancock memorial

  • 2014/02/10 Teen killed in weekend crash near North Bend
  • 2014/02/10 Valley teen killed in SUV accident along Middle Fork Road
  • 2014/02/12 Memorial service is Friday for teen killed in Middle Fork accident

Rhodies Smokin BBQ is leaving

20140207Rhodies01A staple for hikers and rafters after a hard day in the Middle Fork is leaving. Rhodies has been housed at Ken’s Gas and Grocery at Exit 34 for many years, but as that business closes they are losing a home. Rhodies will most likely relocate somewhere near Exit 22 at Preston, 12 miles closer to Seattle.

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Ken’s Gas & Grocery

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Closed gas pumps