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2.3.4 Access and Utilities Eastbound traffic on Interstate 90 can access the summit at Exit 52 or Exit 53. Westbound traffic can exit at Exit 53 or access the area via SR906 from Exit 54. (Prior to the opening of Interstate 90, SR906 was part of U.S. Highway 10, or the Sunset Highway, which was the primary route over the pass from the 1930's through the 1960's.) SR906 remains the arterial connector, which links all areas of the pass and is accessible from all three Interstate 90 interchanges. At the summit, between Exits 52 and 53, the roadway is two lanes with extremely wide shoulders on each side. Near Exit 53, the shoulders become narrow with some open roadside drainage. The area is provided sewer and water by the Snoqualmie Pass Sewer and Water District. Electricity, telephone and cable television are provided by private purveyors . 2.3.5 Development Constraints Hyak Creek and two other unnamed creeks, which flow from the ski slopes, together with Coal Creek, which flows through the Yellowstone Road area, present development constraints . Wetlands and other sensitive areas associated with the streams must also be identified and protected as development occurs. 2.4 Subarea "D" 2.4.1 Location and General Description Subarea D is the most eastern portion of the planning area. Gold Creek Valley begins at the head of Keechelus Lake and stretches to the northeast, over seven miles, to Chikamin Ridge. The upper reaches of the valley (outside of this subarea) are within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The eastern boundary of the subarea coincides with the Wilderness boundary. Nearly three lineal miles of the valley are included in the subarea, which encompasses about 6.5 square miles. The valley floor is wide and flat at its entrance and tapers gradually to the study area boundary, beyond which the valley becomes narrow and rugged. Steep slopes rim both sides of the valley . Interstate 90 crosses perpendicular to the valley and separates the valley from Keechelus Lake and the Summit area. 2.4.2 Natural Features The valley offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the Pass area including Rampart Ridge, Chikamin Peak and Kendall Peak. Gold Creek flows year around into Keechelus Lake. In the flatter portions of the valley floor, the creek bed becomes broad and, in dry summer months, part of the creek flows under ground . The lower reaches of the creek are a designated flood plain in the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan . Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan December 2016