| Ranger's Logbook, By MikkiD |
Wednesday, June 24th, 2008
Good Day! Summer is definitely here, and I don’t need a calendar to know. We used the company Jeep (Eugene) all
weekend and I have the sunburn to prove it. Not that the Central Washington hellstar was at full-force; that won’t occur
until after the 4th of July. No, this was the sneaky June sun that hides above a layer of light clouds and uses the cool
breeze to lure you into complacency. Don’t be fooled, though, the rays make it down to your exposed epidermis, leaving
your skin nice and red!
I also know that it’s summer because our fire crews are at the station just long enough to repack and head out. Last
weekend, they responded to a call near Yakima, came back to the station late in the evening, repacked and left for
Northern California to help with the big lightning bust (over 800 fires).
Our campgrounds are also seeing a lot of action. Beverly was packed last weekend, so people are starting to push
toward Esmeralda and the trails around the upper North Fork Teanaway. Our crews are working during the week to clear
them for you. Of course, the upper trails, Esmeralda Basin, Ingalls, and Lake Ann, are still holding a lot of snow.
The Cle Elum Valley is slowly melting out. Our crews will be working on the Waptus River trail this weekend. Last week,
the snow line was about 2.5 miles up the three main trails out of Salmon La Sac (Waptus, Polallie Ridge, and Cooper
River. I would bet we can get a lot closer to the lakes this weekend! I’ll write an updated trail report for you on Friday.
You can drive to the end of the Fish Lake Road now. Expect the typical Forest Service pothole road, but hey! – you can get
there. On your drive up, check out the Boulder Creek slide (just before you get to the Big Boulder Creek Bridge). If you
are looking, you can find at least two more avalanche slide paths with debris between the big Boulder slide and the
Guard Station.
The 509ers Off-Road Club cleared the 4W301 through the Fortune Creek avalanche debris field, so you can run the trail
now. You can wheel about a mile past the Van Epps turnoff before hitting deep snow. They almost made it to the Van
Epps Pass, but said the last steep climb was holding too much snow and was impassable. I’m looking forward to that
trail opening, because my goal is to hike the Lake Ann trail by mid-July (my scheduled first hike since breaking my leg).
The 509ers Off-Road Club also reported a big mud slide on the French Cabin Road, near Knox Creek FSR 4308, but I’m
not sure if they mean the main line (4308) or the spur (4308-120). They did say that a Jeep width vehicle can get by the
slide, but nothing bigger.
The Table Mountain trails are being cleared. Our crew cleared 20 trees from the First Creek trail last weekend (from FSR
3507 up toward Lion Rock). Scott and I ran the Liberty 4x4 trails below that section last weekend and they are all in fair
condition (thanks to our volunteer crews from the Hurtin’ Units, High Cascade Cruisers, Desert Rats, et al (PNW4x4
Association Clubs). Thanks!
To the south side of the District, we had two crew members and 3 volunteers working to clear the Taneum and Manstash
single track trails to the snowline. The blowdown is really light this season (because all the trees fell last season), so
our work crews are making great progress. The North Fork Taneum bridges are fixed and the trail is officially open
again. Our weekday maintenance guys also re-worked the tread in those areas, so let us know what you think.
The Boeing Jeep Club worked the 4x4 trails out of the Manastash area this weekend. They have been running and
working these trails annually for years. I haven’t received their report yet (probably because I issued all of them expired
Volunteer passes…long story), but I hope to get their report this week. As soon as I do, I’ll let you know.
Okay, time for my weekly rant, so hang on! We have seen a lot of illegal felling on the District this season, meaning there
is a group of cheats and thieves running around cutting down great timber, including green Douglas Fir, Western Larch,
and Ponderosa. This should really anger every honest, forest user out there. This is your land, and these people are
stealing from you! Just like mudding, they are destroying public lands. Unlike mudding, however, they are profiting from
their dishonesty. We could definitely use your help. If you see anyone felling trees on public land, even if they look like a
contractor, please let us know! Looks can be deceiving! Please, if safe, take a digital photo and record their vehicle
license number. You can report the event anonymously, if you want. Just call our office at 509-852-1100 with the
information. We appreciate the help!
I think it’s going to be a season of surprises up in the mountains, which makes hiking, riding, or wheeling your favorite
trail even more fun. Our crews have been finding avalanche damage everywhere, even in areas where (at least in our
lifetime) haven’t slid before. If you see something out of the ordinary, please don’t hesitate to report it! Don’t assume we’
ve had eyes on it. Early season trail use can be an adventure, as we discover creek diversions, avalanche paths, trail
washouts, and other surprises! So, be safe and have a great time out on the trail! Don’t forget your 10 essentials! Mikki
D
weekend and I have the sunburn to prove it. Not that the Central Washington hellstar was at full-force; that won’t occur
until after the 4th of July. No, this was the sneaky June sun that hides above a layer of light clouds and uses the cool
breeze to lure you into complacency. Don’t be fooled, though, the rays make it down to your exposed epidermis, leaving
your skin nice and red!
I also know that it’s summer because our fire crews are at the station just long enough to repack and head out. Last
weekend, they responded to a call near Yakima, came back to the station late in the evening, repacked and left for
Northern California to help with the big lightning bust (over 800 fires).
Our campgrounds are also seeing a lot of action. Beverly was packed last weekend, so people are starting to push
toward Esmeralda and the trails around the upper North Fork Teanaway. Our crews are working during the week to clear
them for you. Of course, the upper trails, Esmeralda Basin, Ingalls, and Lake Ann, are still holding a lot of snow.
The Cle Elum Valley is slowly melting out. Our crews will be working on the Waptus River trail this weekend. Last week,
the snow line was about 2.5 miles up the three main trails out of Salmon La Sac (Waptus, Polallie Ridge, and Cooper
River. I would bet we can get a lot closer to the lakes this weekend! I’ll write an updated trail report for you on Friday.
You can drive to the end of the Fish Lake Road now. Expect the typical Forest Service pothole road, but hey! – you can get
there. On your drive up, check out the Boulder Creek slide (just before you get to the Big Boulder Creek Bridge). If you
are looking, you can find at least two more avalanche slide paths with debris between the big Boulder slide and the
Guard Station.
The 509ers Off-Road Club cleared the 4W301 through the Fortune Creek avalanche debris field, so you can run the trail
now. You can wheel about a mile past the Van Epps turnoff before hitting deep snow. They almost made it to the Van
Epps Pass, but said the last steep climb was holding too much snow and was impassable. I’m looking forward to that
trail opening, because my goal is to hike the Lake Ann trail by mid-July (my scheduled first hike since breaking my leg).
The 509ers Off-Road Club also reported a big mud slide on the French Cabin Road, near Knox Creek FSR 4308, but I’m
not sure if they mean the main line (4308) or the spur (4308-120). They did say that a Jeep width vehicle can get by the
slide, but nothing bigger.
The Table Mountain trails are being cleared. Our crew cleared 20 trees from the First Creek trail last weekend (from FSR
3507 up toward Lion Rock). Scott and I ran the Liberty 4x4 trails below that section last weekend and they are all in fair
condition (thanks to our volunteer crews from the Hurtin’ Units, High Cascade Cruisers, Desert Rats, et al (PNW4x4
Association Clubs). Thanks!
To the south side of the District, we had two crew members and 3 volunteers working to clear the Taneum and Manstash
single track trails to the snowline. The blowdown is really light this season (because all the trees fell last season), so
our work crews are making great progress. The North Fork Taneum bridges are fixed and the trail is officially open
again. Our weekday maintenance guys also re-worked the tread in those areas, so let us know what you think.
The Boeing Jeep Club worked the 4x4 trails out of the Manastash area this weekend. They have been running and
working these trails annually for years. I haven’t received their report yet (probably because I issued all of them expired
Volunteer passes…long story), but I hope to get their report this week. As soon as I do, I’ll let you know.
Okay, time for my weekly rant, so hang on! We have seen a lot of illegal felling on the District this season, meaning there
is a group of cheats and thieves running around cutting down great timber, including green Douglas Fir, Western Larch,
and Ponderosa. This should really anger every honest, forest user out there. This is your land, and these people are
stealing from you! Just like mudding, they are destroying public lands. Unlike mudding, however, they are profiting from
their dishonesty. We could definitely use your help. If you see anyone felling trees on public land, even if they look like a
contractor, please let us know! Looks can be deceiving! Please, if safe, take a digital photo and record their vehicle
license number. You can report the event anonymously, if you want. Just call our office at 509-852-1100 with the
information. We appreciate the help!
I think it’s going to be a season of surprises up in the mountains, which makes hiking, riding, or wheeling your favorite
trail even more fun. Our crews have been finding avalanche damage everywhere, even in areas where (at least in our
lifetime) haven’t slid before. If you see something out of the ordinary, please don’t hesitate to report it! Don’t assume we’
ve had eyes on it. Early season trail use can be an adventure, as we discover creek diversions, avalanche paths, trail
washouts, and other surprises! So, be safe and have a great time out on the trail! Don’t forget your 10 essentials! Mikki
D