| Ranger's Logbook |
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Monday, May 19, 2008
Hi Everyone,
This is Mikki D, and here is my report for Monday,
May 20th. Scotty G and I were dispatched after we
received a slide report on USFS 31 (Manastash
Canyon). According to the source, the road was
impassable approximately 1.5 miles east of Riders’
Campground. We took Eugene (our Jeep). The
drive up the canyon is fairly depressing because of
all the mudding on state land. We put a HUGE sign
up warning those who have no respect what’s so
ever for the land or the sport they so carelessly
represent, that we will prosecute violators to the
fullest extent of the law (including jail time). The
result? Our big new sign lasted two days before it
was pulled out of the ground.
Anyway, back to my report to the majority of
responsible land-users. We made it up the canyon
to the site of the slide. Turns out, the two big stumps
were pushed into the ditch. Someone obviously
spent some time throwing some big rocks
(boulders?) off the road too, making the road
passable for larger vehicles.
Surprisingly enough, we made it all the way to the
Manastash Campgound. Two days ago (Saturday),
a photo was taken of one of the Riders’ Campground
(just east of Manastash CG) bathrooms with at least
two feet of snow around it! BY Memorial Day
weekend, both campgrounds should be snow free.
The trails, however, 4W307, 1350, etc. will not be
snow free or bucked out by the weekend. The
4W311 looked fairly snow free most of the way. Our
crews will not have had it logged out by the weekend,
however.
Against all odds, we decided to try going up and over
the ridge to the Taneum. The south culvert at the
South Fork Manastash creek crossing just before
Manastash was completely covered by water, but
hadn’t spilled over the road. Note: The creeks are
CRAZY! The water is running high and fast. Please,
please be careful around all our creeks and rivers
this weekend (and keep a close eye on children).
We drove up the We took the 3111 to the 109 spur,
and then over to the 3300 down into Taneum without
much difficulty. We went over three or four snow
patches below Tamarack Springs, but it will be gone
by Memorial Day Weekend. Elk everywhere!
This is Mikki D, and here is my report for Monday,
May 20th. Scotty G and I were dispatched after we
received a slide report on USFS 31 (Manastash
Canyon). According to the source, the road was
impassable approximately 1.5 miles east of Riders’
Campground. We took Eugene (our Jeep). The
drive up the canyon is fairly depressing because of
all the mudding on state land. We put a HUGE sign
up warning those who have no respect what’s so
ever for the land or the sport they so carelessly
represent, that we will prosecute violators to the
fullest extent of the law (including jail time). The
result? Our big new sign lasted two days before it
was pulled out of the ground.
Anyway, back to my report to the majority of
responsible land-users. We made it up the canyon
to the site of the slide. Turns out, the two big stumps
were pushed into the ditch. Someone obviously
spent some time throwing some big rocks
(boulders?) off the road too, making the road
passable for larger vehicles.
Surprisingly enough, we made it all the way to the
Manastash Campgound. Two days ago (Saturday),
a photo was taken of one of the Riders’ Campground
(just east of Manastash CG) bathrooms with at least
two feet of snow around it! BY Memorial Day
weekend, both campgrounds should be snow free.
The trails, however, 4W307, 1350, etc. will not be
snow free or bucked out by the weekend. The
4W311 looked fairly snow free most of the way. Our
crews will not have had it logged out by the weekend,
however.
Against all odds, we decided to try going up and over
the ridge to the Taneum. The south culvert at the
South Fork Manastash creek crossing just before
Manastash was completely covered by water, but
hadn’t spilled over the road. Note: The creeks are
CRAZY! The water is running high and fast. Please,
please be careful around all our creeks and rivers
this weekend (and keep a close eye on children).
We drove up the We took the 3111 to the 109 spur,
and then over to the 3300 down into Taneum without
much difficulty. We went over three or four snow
patches below Tamarack Springs, but it will be gone
by Memorial Day Weekend. Elk everywhere!
We were obviously one of the first vehicles to travel
this route since the snowmobile season ended,
because the elk were out in the open and literally
EVERYWHERE! Fun to see.
Taneum Jct. is open. Taneum Campgound will be
open, but walk-in only (due to the high creek water).
Icewater is snow free. The lower Taneum canyon is
also snow free (state land). The single track trail
access will be limited this coming weekend. You
can go five miles up the North Fork Taneum to the
first bridge crossing before reaching our trail closure
signs. Our bridges are literally floating and it is
extremely unsafe to ford the water. You will not be
allowed to continue (you wouldn’t ride too far beyond
that point before reaching the snow line anyway).
Fishhook Flat trail will not be open. The South Fork
Manastash trail is open for approximately two miles.
Taneum Ridge trail is open to the Fishhook, but not
beyond. Cle Elum Ridge has not been logged out
(check back Wednesday for an update).
The Cle Elum Valley is melting out fast, BUT you
cannot make it to the Davis Peak trailhead yet (on
Fish Lake Road). Fortune and Scatter Creek are out
of the question for next weekend (due to snow).
Thanks to our good friends at the Pacific Northwest
4x4 Association, the Liberty 4x4 trail system is
currently being logged out. The trails north of 97
(Red Top area) will still have a lot of snow by the
weekend, but the south side (town of Liberty side)
might be fun to run. Expect large crowds at Williams
Campgound!
Don’t forget, Table Mountain has a seasonal closure
until June 15th.
The snow is melting FAST, but not fast enough to get
any serious trail miles in this Memorial Day
Weekend. It’s going to be an interesting summer on
our district. The numerous large avalanches we
experienced last winter combined with the rapid
meltdown will definitely keep our crew and
volunteers busy!
Don’t forget, folks, the water is running really, really
fast. Keep kids, pets, and sleepwalkers close by if
you are camping or recreating near a creek or river.
Be safe and have fun! And don’t forget to check back
on Wednesday for the latest Ranger Report!
this route since the snowmobile season ended,
because the elk were out in the open and literally
EVERYWHERE! Fun to see.
Taneum Jct. is open. Taneum Campgound will be
open, but walk-in only (due to the high creek water).
Icewater is snow free. The lower Taneum canyon is
also snow free (state land). The single track trail
access will be limited this coming weekend. You
can go five miles up the North Fork Taneum to the
first bridge crossing before reaching our trail closure
signs. Our bridges are literally floating and it is
extremely unsafe to ford the water. You will not be
allowed to continue (you wouldn’t ride too far beyond
that point before reaching the snow line anyway).
Fishhook Flat trail will not be open. The South Fork
Manastash trail is open for approximately two miles.
Taneum Ridge trail is open to the Fishhook, but not
beyond. Cle Elum Ridge has not been logged out
(check back Wednesday for an update).
The Cle Elum Valley is melting out fast, BUT you
cannot make it to the Davis Peak trailhead yet (on
Fish Lake Road). Fortune and Scatter Creek are out
of the question for next weekend (due to snow).
Thanks to our good friends at the Pacific Northwest
4x4 Association, the Liberty 4x4 trail system is
currently being logged out. The trails north of 97
(Red Top area) will still have a lot of snow by the
weekend, but the south side (town of Liberty side)
might be fun to run. Expect large crowds at Williams
Campgound!
Don’t forget, Table Mountain has a seasonal closure
until June 15th.
The snow is melting FAST, but not fast enough to get
any serious trail miles in this Memorial Day
Weekend. It’s going to be an interesting summer on
our district. The numerous large avalanches we
experienced last winter combined with the rapid
meltdown will definitely keep our crew and
volunteers busy!
Don’t forget, folks, the water is running really, really
fast. Keep kids, pets, and sleepwalkers close by if
you are camping or recreating near a creek or river.
Be safe and have fun! And don’t forget to check back
on Wednesday for the latest Ranger Report!
| 4W307 out from the Manastash Campgound. A lot of snow still on the trails. |
| Buck Meadows Elk. |
| May 20th was a great day for elk watching! |
| The 4W311 puncheon at Buck Meadows (out from Riders' Campground). A lot of water, but at least it is flowing under the bridge (not over)! |
| The Taneum Campground gate will not be opened for Memorial Day weekend due to the high/fast water. |