| Ranger Report - Wilderness and Front Country |
Tuesday, August 1st through the 10th, 2008
| Hey, let us know what you see out there! Send a couple photos along with your hiking, biking, 4x4in, horseback riding, etc. dventure story. We are always very happy to hear from our trail friends. cleelumtrails@yahooo.com |
Teanaway - Bean, Standup, and Stafford and Beverly Basins August 1 - 3 2008
I started up Bean Creek trail and camped my first night in the basin amongst the wildflowers
and headed over towards Stafford Basin the next day. The trail is in good condition and I
was out of the clouds and rain for the whole weekend with views all the way to Mount Adams
from the top of Navaho Peak. There are a couple of logs down on the switchbacks leading
down into Stafford Basin from the top of Standup Basin. Watch your step here until we can
get them out and try to prevent tread developing around the logs.
I took the County Line Trail back towards Beverly Creek Trail from Stafford but I wouldn't
recommend it. The tread is patchy in spots with lots of loose scree on the ascents and
descents of the trail.
The fire danger is High right now and current campfire closures do apply to these
backcountry destinations.
Areas outside of the wilderness are closed to campfires
Areas in the wilderness above 5000 feet are also closed to campfires year round.
Propane and white gas camp stoves are OK to use.
Rachel Lake August 9 – 10 2008
I headed into Rachel Lake around noon on Saturday. If you are looking for solitude at Rachel
then Saturday is not the day to take this hike. I encountered 84 day hikers on the trail and 35
backpackers and I know there were more people back there that I missed. This is by far one
of the most popular hikes on our district. For the most part the trail is in decent condition:
only a couple step-over logs, no snow left, the spur trails are still blocked with debris to
prevent wandering off the trail, and the tread is as good as this trail is going to get. Be
careful on the many roots and rocks that make up the steep section of this trail especially
when wet, it can be very slippery.
There is still a little bit of snow above Rachel Lake as you head towards Rampart Lakes, but
most of the camps are open.
I reset all of the signs for the Rachel and Rampart Toilets. Use these because there are very
few places to dig a cat hole that are far enough from the lakes. We still have to bury a lot of
toilet paper and exposed business…yuck!! Let's put this stuff in its proper place!
Dogs must be leashed on this trail. Please respect the many other hikers with or without
dogs and the wildlife you may encounter on this trail.
Tips and Regulations for Wilderness Travelers -
Remember No Campfires are allowed at these lakes.
The wood that is available in these rocky alpine areas needs to return to the soil for the
delicate vegetation that does grow there and not picked clean for campfires. The plants are
fragile and have a very short growing season when they are not covered by snow.
Nothing scars the land as bad as a campfire ring and nobody likes camping in ashes.
Fire rings also tend to attract litter.
Keep the campsites in better condition than you found them.
Protecting these lands is all our responsibility!
Leave No Trace Ethics are especially important at these popular destinations
I started up Bean Creek trail and camped my first night in the basin amongst the wildflowers
and headed over towards Stafford Basin the next day. The trail is in good condition and I
was out of the clouds and rain for the whole weekend with views all the way to Mount Adams
from the top of Navaho Peak. There are a couple of logs down on the switchbacks leading
down into Stafford Basin from the top of Standup Basin. Watch your step here until we can
get them out and try to prevent tread developing around the logs.
I took the County Line Trail back towards Beverly Creek Trail from Stafford but I wouldn't
recommend it. The tread is patchy in spots with lots of loose scree on the ascents and
descents of the trail.
The fire danger is High right now and current campfire closures do apply to these
backcountry destinations.
Areas outside of the wilderness are closed to campfires
Areas in the wilderness above 5000 feet are also closed to campfires year round.
Propane and white gas camp stoves are OK to use.
Rachel Lake August 9 – 10 2008
I headed into Rachel Lake around noon on Saturday. If you are looking for solitude at Rachel
then Saturday is not the day to take this hike. I encountered 84 day hikers on the trail and 35
backpackers and I know there were more people back there that I missed. This is by far one
of the most popular hikes on our district. For the most part the trail is in decent condition:
only a couple step-over logs, no snow left, the spur trails are still blocked with debris to
prevent wandering off the trail, and the tread is as good as this trail is going to get. Be
careful on the many roots and rocks that make up the steep section of this trail especially
when wet, it can be very slippery.
There is still a little bit of snow above Rachel Lake as you head towards Rampart Lakes, but
most of the camps are open.
I reset all of the signs for the Rachel and Rampart Toilets. Use these because there are very
few places to dig a cat hole that are far enough from the lakes. We still have to bury a lot of
toilet paper and exposed business…yuck!! Let's put this stuff in its proper place!
Dogs must be leashed on this trail. Please respect the many other hikers with or without
dogs and the wildlife you may encounter on this trail.
Tips and Regulations for Wilderness Travelers -
Remember No Campfires are allowed at these lakes.
The wood that is available in these rocky alpine areas needs to return to the soil for the
delicate vegetation that does grow there and not picked clean for campfires. The plants are
fragile and have a very short growing season when they are not covered by snow.
Nothing scars the land as bad as a campfire ring and nobody likes camping in ashes.
Fire rings also tend to attract litter.
Keep the campsites in better condition than you found them.
Protecting these lands is all our responsibility!
Leave No Trace Ethics are especially important at these popular destinations
| The view from Ranger Rick's office. |
| From Bean Creek. |
| Standup Creek. |
| The Big Stu with Ingalls Peak. |
| Stuart Range. |
| A foggy Rampart Ridge and Rachel Lake. |