| Ranger Report - Winter |
January 18th, 2009
January 18th, 2009
What a crazy weekend. First, Crystal Springs… Ranger Mike and I rode sleds out
of the park in order to check out some reported storm damaged areas. The rain
storm wiped out about ¾ of road 54 (Stampede) approximately 1 mile up from the
Sno-Park. R&R is grooming over the washout, but use caution (area is well
signed) as you ride or ski through.
The Sled Dog trail has been repaired. A big thank-you to the WA Park groomers.
You have ditches on both sides, but unless your lead dog is really, really fresh,
you won’t have any problems. The John Wayne trail was nicely groomed all
weeked. The washout between the Dog Trail portion of the JWT and Lost Lake
road has been repaired.
Cabin Creek was packed all weekend as Konsberger hosted two races (kids on
Saturday / adult race on Sunday). The race spill-over impacted the Easton State
Park groomed course. Eaaston was packed on Sunday, as well. All the non-
motorized areas were well groomed! Looks like things are beginning to get back
to normal (after the storm).
Salmon la Sac actually had some of the best riding, thanks to Boulder Creek
Grooming. The area was busy, from French Cabin to the Sac, but nearly
everyone was in compliance. I don’t know why, but we are seeing a lot of 2007-
08 Sno-Park passes being displayed by sledders. Please make sure that you
have your 08-09 pass displayed. I talked with one rider who told me that the
Department of Licensing sent their snowmobile tags but not their Sno Park
pass. This actually happened to me this season, so I know it happens, but you
have to go down and pick one up before you park at a Sno-Park. The areas are
heavily patrolled and if you don’t have a Sno-Park pass, you will get a ticket. WE
really hate writing them and I know people hate getting them, so go down to the
DOL and straighten things out before you go out.
Snowmobilers: We saw several snowmobilers with seized hifaxs’. The snow is
super, super dry and hard. Your drive train is lubricated and cooled by the snow,
so remember to drop your scrathcers in ice conditions or stop every five minutes
or so and kick snow in the tracks (this is not only a pain in the rear, but it’s also
difficult in these conditions as there isn’t a lot of snow to kick).
The Piston Bully (Forest Service) broke down about four miles up from the Gold
Creek Trailhead. The crew recovered it yesterday, and are currently working to
get it back on the trail. The Bombardier is still out-of-service. We are waiting for
the new tiller to arrive.
Well, another weekend has come and go without any new snow. This week’s
forecast isn’t very promising, if you’re looking for more pow-pow. The good news
is, we have a great base now. Now we just need some new snow!
- Mikki D reporting for Rangers Robin, Deb (D2), and Danger Ranger Jon,
Jammin' J-Beau, and Dave.
What a crazy weekend. First, Crystal Springs… Ranger Mike and I rode sleds out
of the park in order to check out some reported storm damaged areas. The rain
storm wiped out about ¾ of road 54 (Stampede) approximately 1 mile up from the
Sno-Park. R&R is grooming over the washout, but use caution (area is well
signed) as you ride or ski through.
The Sled Dog trail has been repaired. A big thank-you to the WA Park groomers.
You have ditches on both sides, but unless your lead dog is really, really fresh,
you won’t have any problems. The John Wayne trail was nicely groomed all
weeked. The washout between the Dog Trail portion of the JWT and Lost Lake
road has been repaired.
Cabin Creek was packed all weekend as Konsberger hosted two races (kids on
Saturday / adult race on Sunday). The race spill-over impacted the Easton State
Park groomed course. Eaaston was packed on Sunday, as well. All the non-
motorized areas were well groomed! Looks like things are beginning to get back
to normal (after the storm).
Salmon la Sac actually had some of the best riding, thanks to Boulder Creek
Grooming. The area was busy, from French Cabin to the Sac, but nearly
everyone was in compliance. I don’t know why, but we are seeing a lot of 2007-
08 Sno-Park passes being displayed by sledders. Please make sure that you
have your 08-09 pass displayed. I talked with one rider who told me that the
Department of Licensing sent their snowmobile tags but not their Sno Park
pass. This actually happened to me this season, so I know it happens, but you
have to go down and pick one up before you park at a Sno-Park. The areas are
heavily patrolled and if you don’t have a Sno-Park pass, you will get a ticket. WE
really hate writing them and I know people hate getting them, so go down to the
DOL and straighten things out before you go out.
Snowmobilers: We saw several snowmobilers with seized hifaxs’. The snow is
super, super dry and hard. Your drive train is lubricated and cooled by the snow,
so remember to drop your scrathcers in ice conditions or stop every five minutes
or so and kick snow in the tracks (this is not only a pain in the rear, but it’s also
difficult in these conditions as there isn’t a lot of snow to kick).
The Piston Bully (Forest Service) broke down about four miles up from the Gold
Creek Trailhead. The crew recovered it yesterday, and are currently working to
get it back on the trail. The Bombardier is still out-of-service. We are waiting for
the new tiller to arrive.
Well, another weekend has come and go without any new snow. This week’s
forecast isn’t very promising, if you’re looking for more pow-pow. The good news
is, we have a great base now. Now we just need some new snow!
- Mikki D reporting for Rangers Robin, Deb (D2), and Danger Ranger Jon,
Jammin' J-Beau, and Dave.
| Robin working the drill out at the Salmon la Sac ski loop. |
| Groomer rescue last Saturday night. |
| Mike Andler taking a moment to check out the big mountain. |
| Washout on road 54 (Stampede Pass road out of Crystal Springs. |
