| Wilderness Ranger, John M. and his crew work extra hard to clear the trails for you! |
| Wilderness Ranger Robin demonstrates proper water crossing technique. |
| Rick works the ax afer a few minutes of cross cut sawing. |
| Links to - Alpine Lakes Wilderness Information Washington Trail Association Backcountry First Aid (NOLS) Washington Weather (NOAA) |
| Photo Album July 10th Gallagher-Deroux Fortune/Boulder slide (June) Stafford Creek (June) Thorp Mountain (July) Waptus River Trail (July) PCT near Pete Lk Avy (July) July Critters |
| WTA members work on Hyas Puncheons. |
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Welcome to the Cle Elum Ranger District! It is mid-July on the District and the Backcountry and Wilderness
trails are in great condition! Volunteers and crew members have been clearing trails, building bridges, and
brushing the overgrowth!
Ranger Robin will start her Ranger reports after this weekend hitch, so check back on the 26th for updates
trails are in great condition! Volunteers and crew members have been clearing trails, building bridges, and
brushing the overgrowth!
Ranger Robin will start her Ranger reports after this weekend hitch, so check back on the 26th for updates
July 24-27, 2009
Yellow Hill-Jolly Mountain-Middle Fork Teanaway-Paris Creek
Huckleberries are here! No time gets me as excited as huckleberry season; my purple fingers, teeth and lips
can attest to that. The Middle Fork and Paris Creek are full of berries so go out and start enjoying!
As for my trip, this was my first time in this area and I was pleasantly surprised for the most part. Once I hit
the ridge on Yellow Hill, the hike was great with good views. The last few miles to the top of Jolly for my first
night were a bit rougher. It was late, I was tired and the trail was steep. It trenches out in places and the
ground seems to disintegrate beneath your feet due to the fine dirt. But once on top of Jolly it’s an awesome
view. I arrived just in time to start dinner and watch the lightning storm come straight over my head. As the
walls of rain and lightning bolts quickly approached, I raced off the summit to try and find a safe place to set
up camp. After a short time in my tent I was able to get out and see the storm pass. Although there were lots
of strikes, I sat on Jolly for a few hours the next morning and didn’t see any smoke.
I then made my way down to the Middle Fork to be rewarded by my first huckleberries of the season. As I
hiked north to the upper basin I cleared a small avalanche path and enjoyed the views. The wildflowers are
spectacular and there are great meadows to enjoy.
The hike down Paris Creek was very steep and the upper section on the north fork looks to receive almost no
traffic. It goes through some nice meadows though and is overall a pleasant hike. Near the top of the ridge
there are a few large logs down that will make it very difficult to pass with stock.
This was a VERY quiet weekend for me as I didn’t see a single other person from the time I was dropped off
to when I was picked up. Although most of the trails I was on were motorized, they don’t have heavy traffic, so
make great hiking trails to get away from the crowds and still get the views!
Yellow Hill-Jolly Mountain-Middle Fork Teanaway-Paris Creek
Huckleberries are here! No time gets me as excited as huckleberry season; my purple fingers, teeth and lips
can attest to that. The Middle Fork and Paris Creek are full of berries so go out and start enjoying!
As for my trip, this was my first time in this area and I was pleasantly surprised for the most part. Once I hit
the ridge on Yellow Hill, the hike was great with good views. The last few miles to the top of Jolly for my first
night were a bit rougher. It was late, I was tired and the trail was steep. It trenches out in places and the
ground seems to disintegrate beneath your feet due to the fine dirt. But once on top of Jolly it’s an awesome
view. I arrived just in time to start dinner and watch the lightning storm come straight over my head. As the
walls of rain and lightning bolts quickly approached, I raced off the summit to try and find a safe place to set
up camp. After a short time in my tent I was able to get out and see the storm pass. Although there were lots
of strikes, I sat on Jolly for a few hours the next morning and didn’t see any smoke.
I then made my way down to the Middle Fork to be rewarded by my first huckleberries of the season. As I
hiked north to the upper basin I cleared a small avalanche path and enjoyed the views. The wildflowers are
spectacular and there are great meadows to enjoy.
The hike down Paris Creek was very steep and the upper section on the north fork looks to receive almost no
traffic. It goes through some nice meadows though and is overall a pleasant hike. Near the top of the ridge
there are a few large logs down that will make it very difficult to pass with stock.
This was a VERY quiet weekend for me as I didn’t see a single other person from the time I was dropped off
to when I was picked up. Although most of the trails I was on were motorized, they don’t have heavy traffic, so
make great hiking trails to get away from the crowds and still get the views!
| Ranger Robin's Trip Report July 24-27th Jolly Mountain Yellow Hill Teanaway |