| The Cle Elum Winter Rangers depend on The Northwest Avalanche Center for daily reports and conditions. You should too. Please visit the NAC web page before you head out. Avalanche Danger Scale Low Natural avalanches are very unlikely. Human triggered avalanches unlikely. Travel is GENERALLY safe. NORMAL CAUTION is advised. Moderate Natural avalanches unlikely. Human triggered avalanches possible. Use CAUTION in steeper terrain or certain aspects. Considerable Natural avalanches possible. Human triggered avalanches PROBABLE! Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain. HIGH Natural/human triggered avalanches LIKELY! Travel in avalanche terrain IS NOT RECOMMENDED! EXTREME! Natural/human triggered avalanches CERTAIN! Travel in avalanche terrain should be AVOIDED and confined to low angle terrain well away from avalanche path run-outs. |
| WA DOT Mountain Pass Report |
As of Thursday, February 5th...It has been warm all week with light rain on Monday and
Wednesday. The trails at lower elevations are losing snow. Many Sno-Parks (parking areas)
are snow free, including Crystal Springs (very muddy). Grooming at lower elevations is
challenging and the routes (motorized) reestablish bumps after just a few dozen snowmobiles
pass over. Bottom line: We need more snow!
If you have any suggestions for any of the pages, please send suggestions to
cleelumtrails@yahoo.com.
Wednesday. The trails at lower elevations are losing snow. Many Sno-Parks (parking areas)
are snow free, including Crystal Springs (very muddy). Grooming at lower elevations is
challenging and the routes (motorized) reestablish bumps after just a few dozen snowmobiles
pass over. Bottom line: We need more snow!
If you have any suggestions for any of the pages, please send suggestions to
cleelumtrails@yahoo.com.
| Spot Weather Information from NOAA Click on area below. |
| Order your SNO-PARK Pass Online - Click here. |
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Updated on February 5th, 2010
Phone: (509) 852-1100
OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (509) 852-1100
OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Carry your Ten Essentials 1. Extra food / water 2. Extra clothing 3. Map 4. Compass 5. Knife 6. Matches 7. Fire starter 8. First aid kit 9. Sunglasses 10. Flashlight |
Sno-Parks that REQUIRED a SPECIAL GROOMING permit: On Cle Elum Ranger District Cabin Creek Crystal Springs Dog Sled Area Crystal Springs (ski area) Lake Easton State Park Other State Areas Chiwawa Lake Wenatchee State Park Nason Ridge Mount Spokane * Special fee goes to set tracks and groom skate lanes for XC Skiers. |
Sno-Parks on the I-90 remain packed on weekends.
Please remember your Sno-Park pass. Skiers enjoying
the trails out of the Crystal Springs, Cabin Creek and Hyak
Sno-Parks require a Special Grooming sticker. This
additional cost supports set tracks and groomed skate
lanes. Crystal Springs also has a non-motorized trail open
to dog mushers, skijorers, and dogs on lead or leash. All
dogs must be on leash/gangline and under control. This
is not an off-leash area. Snowmobilers, please obey the
new 25 mph signs on the Lost Lake Road where the Dog
Sled trail crosses, and on the 54 road between the John
Wayne Trail and the Sno-Park. These areas are
congested with multi-uses. Everyone, please share the
trails safely and be polite to one another as we make our
way to the main trail systems.
The sled hill at Hyak Sno-Park remains closed due to lack
of snow and icy conditions. Easton State Park offers a
information and grooming hotline that is updated each day
at 8 am. The number is 509-656-2230.
The groomers this season are doing a great job
considering the lack of snow that has fallen and the warm
temps! If you see them, give them a big "WELL DONE!"
Please remember your Sno-Park pass. Skiers enjoying
the trails out of the Crystal Springs, Cabin Creek and Hyak
Sno-Parks require a Special Grooming sticker. This
additional cost supports set tracks and groomed skate
lanes. Crystal Springs also has a non-motorized trail open
to dog mushers, skijorers, and dogs on lead or leash. All
dogs must be on leash/gangline and under control. This
is not an off-leash area. Snowmobilers, please obey the
new 25 mph signs on the Lost Lake Road where the Dog
Sled trail crosses, and on the 54 road between the John
Wayne Trail and the Sno-Park. These areas are
congested with multi-uses. Everyone, please share the
trails safely and be polite to one another as we make our
way to the main trail systems.
The sled hill at Hyak Sno-Park remains closed due to lack
of snow and icy conditions. Easton State Park offers a
information and grooming hotline that is updated each day
at 8 am. The number is 509-656-2230.
The groomers this season are doing a great job
considering the lack of snow that has fallen and the warm
temps! If you see them, give them a big "WELL DONE!"
Free Avalanche Classes Every Saturday! By Margy Taylor
On Saturday Jan 2 I attended a class held at Alpental on proper beacon
probe and shovel use taught by John Stimberis, (who used to work here on
the district and now works for the WA DOT on avalanche control). The class
was free and it was well worth my time. There will be classes given every
Saturday funded by the Pettigrew Foundation. See link below for upcoming
classes. The son of this family died in a tree well accident. He loved the
outdoors and the family wanted to do something that would make a
difference for folks in the future. I know for me the fact that the class was
free made a difference in my decision to sign up. I have had many
avalanche awareness classes over the years, but none where I did realistic
drills with my beacon probe and shovel. They have really worked hard on
establishing a training area at Alpental and it is open to the public 24/7 if you
want to go practice there. Check it out...
Click here to go to web page.
On Saturday Jan 2 I attended a class held at Alpental on proper beacon
probe and shovel use taught by John Stimberis, (who used to work here on
the district and now works for the WA DOT on avalanche control). The class
was free and it was well worth my time. There will be classes given every
Saturday funded by the Pettigrew Foundation. See link below for upcoming
classes. The son of this family died in a tree well accident. He loved the
outdoors and the family wanted to do something that would make a
difference for folks in the future. I know for me the fact that the class was
free made a difference in my decision to sign up. I have had many
avalanche awareness classes over the years, but none where I did realistic
drills with my beacon probe and shovel. They have really worked hard on
establishing a training area at Alpental and it is open to the public 24/7 if you
want to go practice there. Check it out...
Click here to go to web page.
| Katie Fitch and one of Avalanche BARKS finest, Betty, know the importance of good Avy Training! |
| CABIN RENTALS: The Cle Elum Ranger District offers public rental of two cabins: Table Mountain A-Frame is located at 6,000 feet elevation and is south of Blewett Pass. This is a great spot for star gazing due to its high elevation and remote location. The cabin has four twin beds and room for an additional six folks on the floor. A large deck, picnic table, and fire ring add to the charm of this rustic cabin. Teanaway Guard Station is located along North Fork Teanaway Road #9737 north of Cle Elum. This small cabin offers a cozy spot for two people to enjoy the Teanaway Valley. The cabin has one bunk bed set that offers two twin beds; a picnic table and fire rings are available outside Amenities and number of occupants vary. For more information or to make reservations for these cabins, contact Reserve USA at 1-877-444-6777 on line at http://www.recreation.gov/. |
| Easton State Park groomer, Boone, talks with USFS snow ranger, Tim on the Iron Horse Trail. |
| One of Cle Elum's top winter volunters, Karen Behm, skis with a trailer sherpa as she upgrades signs along the Dog Sled and Snowmobile routes. |
January 28th Cle Elum Ranger District Grooming Report
Hi Everyone, This last week we groomed all of the Routes. There has been more snowmobile use
on all the Table Mt. routes the last couple of weeks than most of our other routes. On that east end
of the district the snow is good right now for grooming, but it still does not set up real well so the
routes get real bumpy after some use. Most of the routes, except for Blewett, have minimal snow at
the trail head for grooming. Kachess, Gold Cr., Mineral, and North Fork Teanaway had this last
week 4"-10" with some spots less than two. As the routes gain elevation there is still enough snow
to groom, but there is a big difference in the snow from east to west, the west end having wet,
heavy, sticky snow and the east having more powder type snow.
John K Simon
Cle Elum Trails
Hi Everyone, This last week we groomed all of the Routes. There has been more snowmobile use
on all the Table Mt. routes the last couple of weeks than most of our other routes. On that east end
of the district the snow is good right now for grooming, but it still does not set up real well so the
routes get real bumpy after some use. Most of the routes, except for Blewett, have minimal snow at
the trail head for grooming. Kachess, Gold Cr., Mineral, and North Fork Teanaway had this last
week 4"-10" with some spots less than two. As the routes gain elevation there is still enough snow
to groom, but there is a big difference in the snow from east to west, the west end having wet,
heavy, sticky snow and the east having more powder type snow.
John K Simon
Cle Elum Trails
| Important Winter Links and District and Forest Information The Northwest Avalanche Center Wenatchee National Forest Official Page Alpine Lakes Wilderness Information Off-Road Vehicle Official Page Fire Information NW Weather Link Woodcutting Restrictions Campfire Restrictions USFS Employment Opportunities Alpental B.A.R.K Search and Rescue K-9's Camping Opportunities Cle Elum Recreation Report Fl Flood Photos |
