rangers_log_June

Ranger Logbook, Friday, June 20th, by Mikki D

It’s Thursday, June 20, 2008 and it’s hot and humid on the Cle Elum Ranger
District. Currently it is 16.30 and 80 degrees. The forecast for the weekend is
about the same, but with potential showers and lightning storms in the
afternoon, so pack light rain gear! Here is what I know about the trail system:

East side, Table Mountain. Wildflowers are in bloom and should be beautiful
this weekend, but will probably take another week until they are spectacular.
Table Mountain trail #1209 has been logged out from FS Road 9712 to the
9712 road east. Naneum Rim trail #1234 has been cleared from the 9712 to
the 1381. The entire length of the Swauk Discovery trail is clear (#1335).
Naneum Creek has been cleared 1.5 miles past Naneum Meadow. The
Naneum Meadow trail #1389 is entirely clear. Wilson Creek trail #1387 is
clear from High Creek to the trailhead on road 3521.

In the Teanaway, Beverly Creek trail #1391 is clear from the trailhead to the
4th creek crossing (1391.2 junction). Fourth Creek trail # 1391.2 is clear to
the District Boundary as of June 16th. Jungle Creek trail #1383.1 is clear from
the Johnson junction to the 2nd crossing. Johnson Creek trail #1383 is clear
from the trailhead to 2 miles, before you reach an avalanche debris field.
Miller Peak trail #1379 is clear to ¼ mile before the ridge. Iron Bear 1351 on
the Bear Creek side is clear for 1.5 miles. Accessing from the Iron Creek
side, you can make it to the ridgetop. Way Creek (1235) is clear from the road
down to the river.

In the Cle Elum Valley, Fish Lake road area, Davis Peak (1324) is the only trail
you can hike the entire length. It has been cleared to 5,400’ mark, or about 4.5
miles up. Pollalie Ridge trail #1309 is clear for 2 miles. You can travel about
the same (a little over two miles) on the Waptus River trail #1310. You get
about 2 good miles up the Copper River trail (1311) before hitting snow, as
well. The 1392, Boulder Creek trail is clear to the 2nd creek crossing. We
have it on good authority that you can make the Fish Lake Guard Station
without a 4-Wheel drive, but I haven’t been there yet since the winter.

South of I-90, the Manastash trails are still holding quite a bit of snow,
although we plan to run some of them on Sunday, so I’ll give you a good
report Monday. The Taneum side is quickly melting out. Last week our crews
couldn’t quite make it to the Taneum Shelter on the North Fork, but we should
this week. The lower North Fork bridges remain washed out, but our crews
are bumping equipment in that direction. Plan your loops using the North
Fork accordingly (don’t go past Fishhook Flat west bound, take the 1378 to
Taneum Ridge or the South Fork Taneum trail).

On the District last weekend was a nightmare! We pretty much spent most of
our time policing an illegal gathering. Great fun, let me tell you! Then we
responded to a truck over the side of the 3120 road! The passengers of that
rig were really fortunate to have not been injured. Please remember to take it
slow on out lovely gravel roads! It’s easy to lose control out there, so watch
out for one another. I am anxious to get back into the friendly ranger mode
and be out and about talking with the public and to those who really enjoy
using our trail system. So, if you are planning anything illegal on the district
this weekend, watch out, because I’ve had it! I’m about ready to put in a grant
for a paddy wagon.

Before I forget, thanks to my yellow flat-fender friend for coming to the aid of
one of the members of the peace and love party group! Thanks for winching
him out of the mud hole! If you ask me, that guy had a little too much herbal
essence that day (if you know what I mean). He’s probably wondering why his
clutch never lasts in his poor truck! And I think I owe your entire gang a big
thank-you for taking out the trash! Just after talking with you, the burned up
sled on Peoh Point disappeared. You guys are the best!
We will have crews out everywhere this weekend, so expect some photos and
updates concerning the Fortune Creek slide, Fish Lake road, and the
Manastash and Table Mountain trail systems.
That’s about it on this lovely Friday afternoon. Thanks for reading my update,
and I hope to see you on the trail! MikkiD