Hillbilly Hollow access issue

Just want to give everyone a heads up: I was climbing at Hillbilly Hollow on 5/23 and was approached by three guys, likely DOT employees, that warned us that we could receive a trespassing ticket for climbing there. They said if you see a red truck with lights on top, don't attempt to climb here.

It seems like access might be compromised at HH, be careful out there and make sure to keep a very low profile.

 Juggler took a large boyscout group there recently  and is now using that zone as one of his guiding locations, at least according to a post on one of his many FB pages...HH is not an appropriate place for guiding.  

Thanks for the heads up James, I would hate for us to lose access to this area.  

The Juggler returns!!

jon jugenheimer wrote:  Juggler took a large boyscout group there recently  and is now using that zone as one of his guiding locations, at least according to a post on one of his many FB pages...HH is not an appropriate place for guiding.  

Thanks for the heads up James, I would hate for us to lose access to this area.  

Who is this you speak of? 

Drtysmellyhippy wrote:

Who is this you speak of? 

Vinny, you are so behind on the MP drama scene.

Tradiban wrote:

Vinny, you are so behind on the MP drama scene.

Apparently so, I am just too busy working and climbing, livin the dream. 

Has access ever been allowed? Have they just not known or turned a blind eye?

This would be a big bummer. What can we do to protect access? (Other than not guide out there and draw their attention...)

Hillbilly Hollow is a very magical place. I've only been once but I loved it. Even years ago there was a "no trespassing" sign stapled to one of the trees around the entrance path. 

"Roadside sites are provided for the safety, comfort, convenience and enjoyment of the traveling public. Activities which are not safety related are not compatible with the intended use of the roadside facility" (https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/travel/road/rest-areas/guidelines.aspx).

A person associated with the Ice Age Trail described this site to me as "a problematic site with access and neighbor relations complications…"  In other words, it's not just us climbers that find the access here vexing.

Seems like it might be relevant to mention that we have been talking about Hillbilly Hollow (and other access issues/ potential issues) during our WCA board meetings and continue to do so.  It is on our radar of places we would like to protect for climbing purposes.  We don't have all of the answers, but thinking through "all of it."

jon jugenheimer wrote:  Juggler took a large boyscout group there recently  and is now using that zone as one of his guiding locations, at least according to a post on one of his many FB pages...HH is not an appropriate place for guiding.  

Wow, so you’re telling me that y’all put an area that stayed relatively under the radar in a guide book and someone started guiding there wtf? Nawmean!?

The last time I stopped at HH to climb was August 2018.  There were 2 vans from Stevens Point YMCA, as I recall, in the lot.  I hiked in any way only to find a large group kids with some adults climbing.  Appeared to be a day camp activity. I left without climbing.  

I agree, not a place to guide.