rangers_log_July

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Hi Everyone – What a great weekend. Sunny and hot with the trails opening
up fast! Deception / Cathedral Trailheads were looking like summer, with
the parking lot full and plenty of cheerful people tending to their blisters
after a weekend of hiking. The loop is open, but the water crossings are
high and there are still snow patches here and there (which are nice on
these hot days). I was out late this evening, so I didn’t tie in with the
Wilderness Rangers, but I am hoping to get their report tomorrow. I know
Robin went up to Tuck Saturday, and then finished the Cathedral
Deception loop today. She also visited Peggy’s Pond, so I am really
interested in hearing how the traverse across the snow patch went. Check
back Tuesday for photos.

We found yet another large avalanche on the District Saturday. Our guys
went out the West Fork Teanaway to clear trail. They logged out a lot of
trees in the first 1/3, starting at the trailhead. The Bosman, Johnny Mac,
and the Bear, worked hard all day, working on the slough near the cliffs and
washouts with the trusty Pulaski. The upper trail, before the switchbacks,
is where a very large avalanche occurred last winter, snapping off mature
trees. Check out the photos! Some of those trees look to be 50-70 years
old! Last winter’s snow dump really took its toll on the trees, making our
annual logout somewhat of an adventure. You just never know what you
are going discover. Hey, thanks to our anonymous volunteers for
logging most of the way through the avalanche debris. Drop a letter my
way so you can get your proper kudos. Also, if you have any pre-cut
photos, I would really like to put them on the web.

We were the first, which is always fun, to make it into Van Epps Mine this
season, at least via the 4W302 trail. We cut out a couple trees and had to
use the Pulaski in a few snow patches on the north side, but we made it to
the mine. Weird thing…someone cut a bunch of trees (probably last fall)
and left them near the creek. It’s weird. They were nice green trees cut for
no apparent reason. Go figure. The bugs were really bad, by the way, so
take plenty of bug juice when you head into the woods. I was checking my
diary notes from last season, and we were near the Solomon Divide (above
Van Epps) in mid-June! We really did have a heavy snow year last winter.
Click here for Van Epps Photos.

The Table Mountain trails have all been logged out and are now snow
free. I didn’t get to the south side of our district this weekend, but I’m sure
most of the trails are now passable.

Well, have a good week and we’ll see on the trail again soon! MikkiD

Hey, let us know what you see out there! Send a couple photos along with
your hiking, biking, 4x4in, horseback riding, etc. adventure story. We are
always very happy to hear from our trail friends.
cleelumtrails@yahooo.com