| Ranger Report - The snow is hanging on! |
Wednesday, May 6th
| 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 |
Hi Everyone and Welcome to the first Ranger Report of 2009 (Field Season). First, for those
who aren't backcountry skiers, the bad news: We have about a mile of trail open. We are
about three weeks behind the normal snow melt progress. Typically, we have a lot more
roads and trails open by now. My crew logged out the kid's loops at Icewater Campground
and Taneum Junction last weekend, but we couldn't get far on the regular trail system out at
the Taneum. Honestly, I can't believe how much snow we have on the ground considering
how little we received over the winter. It has just been staying cold.
Today (May 6th) it is raining and gloomy on the east side of the Cascades. Most of our
seasonal trail crew members will come aboard at the end of the month. Right now, our
crew is easily keeping up with the logout needs.
You might want to keep in mind that we may not have much available (snow free) for
Memorial Day Weekend. We will keep you posted, but if you planned to recreate on the
District, you may want to have a back-up plan. The Taneum Campground is closed for the
season due to flood damage (that occurred back in January with our heavy rain on snow
event). Expect to find road and trail damage early in the season as things begin to open up.
Please report all damage to the Cle Elum Ranger District (509) 852-1100.
The Cle Elum Ranger District has lost about 70% of our trail maintenance and ranger
(patrol) grant fund for 2010 and 2011 season (NOVA grant fund money was taken away from
trails to fund State Parks). So, we are looking at options and economical ways to maintain
our trail system during that period. Please keep in mind that we will be depending heavily
on volunteers! Look for CleElumTrails.com to pick up the slack! We have wonderful
volunteers. We will keep you posted as to needs.
That's it from here. Not too much to say. Looks like our season will start late this year;
hopefully we will be rewarded with a beautiful late Fall. Hang in there! It will get better.
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
who aren't backcountry skiers, the bad news: We have about a mile of trail open. We are
about three weeks behind the normal snow melt progress. Typically, we have a lot more
roads and trails open by now. My crew logged out the kid's loops at Icewater Campground
and Taneum Junction last weekend, but we couldn't get far on the regular trail system out at
the Taneum. Honestly, I can't believe how much snow we have on the ground considering
how little we received over the winter. It has just been staying cold.
Today (May 6th) it is raining and gloomy on the east side of the Cascades. Most of our
seasonal trail crew members will come aboard at the end of the month. Right now, our
crew is easily keeping up with the logout needs.
You might want to keep in mind that we may not have much available (snow free) for
Memorial Day Weekend. We will keep you posted, but if you planned to recreate on the
District, you may want to have a back-up plan. The Taneum Campground is closed for the
season due to flood damage (that occurred back in January with our heavy rain on snow
event). Expect to find road and trail damage early in the season as things begin to open up.
Please report all damage to the Cle Elum Ranger District (509) 852-1100.
The Cle Elum Ranger District has lost about 70% of our trail maintenance and ranger
(patrol) grant fund for 2010 and 2011 season (NOVA grant fund money was taken away from
trails to fund State Parks). So, we are looking at options and economical ways to maintain
our trail system during that period. Please keep in mind that we will be depending heavily
on volunteers! Look for CleElumTrails.com to pick up the slack! We have wonderful
volunteers. We will keep you posted as to needs.
That's it from here. Not too much to say. Looks like our season will start late this year;
hopefully we will be rewarded with a beautiful late Fall. Hang in there! It will get better.
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
| Still a lot of snow in those mountains! |
| Icewater Campground logout - 1370, Little Cub Trail. |
| Logging out snow free trails. So far, pretty easy to keep pace! |
