April Motorized Volunteer Newsletter
April 2006 Off-Road Vehicle Newsletter!
Issue one – APRIL 6, 2006
Cle Elum Ranger District ORV Program News
TRAIL CONDITIONS -
The picture to the left was taken at the Cle Elum Ridge and Forest Service Road 4510 two weeks ago
(March 27th). So, to answer your question… Yes, the melt down is happening, but no, nothing is open
yet. It’s going to take a while this season. At this time last year, we were riding this trail. It’s hard to
believe, but last April the lower Taneum was snow free. By the time you read this, most of the “Road
Closed to Wheeled Vehicle” signs will have been removed but that doesn’t mean you can get very far
(due to snow).
Issue one – APRIL 6, 2006
Cle Elum Ranger District ORV Program News
TRAIL CONDITIONS -
The picture to the left was taken at the Cle Elum Ridge and Forest Service Road 4510 two weeks ago
(March 27th). So, to answer your question… Yes, the melt down is happening, but no, nothing is open
yet. It’s going to take a while this season. At this time last year, we were riding this trail. It’s hard to
believe, but last April the lower Taneum was snow free. By the time you read this, most of the “Road
Closed to Wheeled Vehicle” signs will have been removed but that doesn’t mean you can get very far
(due to snow).
I’m going to be updating our in-house web page frequently to keep everyone up-to-date. Traditionally, Taneum melts out the fasted. Manstash takes quite
a bit longer. If you are new to our area, or if you think last year was normal, be warned. Early season, spring riding and wheeling is unpredictable. The
lower trails may be snow free, but you’ll get into patches of snow really fast. There are talks of implementing seasonal closures on our district (Table
already has one, October 15th to June 15th). You can prevent this action by riding and wheeling responsibly during the wet spring season. There are two
things to remember when you hit a snow patch; #1 – even if you don’t get stuck, you will create a trench, which creates a water-drain, which ultimately
results in trail damage, and #2, one snow patch leads to another… and another… and another. Just think of the first snow patch you come to as being a
friendly warning.
a bit longer. If you are new to our area, or if you think last year was normal, be warned. Early season, spring riding and wheeling is unpredictable. The
lower trails may be snow free, but you’ll get into patches of snow really fast. There are talks of implementing seasonal closures on our district (Table
already has one, October 15th to June 15th). You can prevent this action by riding and wheeling responsibly during the wet spring season. There are two
things to remember when you hit a snow patch; #1 – even if you don’t get stuck, you will create a trench, which creates a water-drain, which ultimately
results in trail damage, and #2, one snow patch leads to another… and another… and another. Just think of the first snow patch you come to as being a
friendly warning.
4. THE BIG ONES! – We need help to finish projects on the Jolly Mountain (1307) reroute and on the Shoestring Puncheon (4WD308). Most of the work will
involve raking, digging, and pounding nails – but the end result will be worth all the physical effort.
5. Education and Enforcement Patrol – We always need help with trail patrol. Whether it’s teaming up and riding with a ranger or patrolling a certain area
or trail with friends – the extra eyes out on the trail really help to maintain the peace. Trail patrol includes handing out KNOW BEFORE YOU GO brochures,
taking pictures of and documenting trail damage, educating users, and filing trail volunteer reports. If you are interested in being a regular volunteer,
please contact Mikki. Help preserve your trail system!
involve raking, digging, and pounding nails – but the end result will be worth all the physical effort.
5. Education and Enforcement Patrol – We always need help with trail patrol. Whether it’s teaming up and riding with a ranger or patrolling a certain area
or trail with friends – the extra eyes out on the trail really help to maintain the peace. Trail patrol includes handing out KNOW BEFORE YOU GO brochures,
taking pictures of and documenting trail damage, educating users, and filing trail volunteer reports. If you are interested in being a regular volunteer,
please contact Mikki. Help preserve your trail system!
VOLUNTEER CERTIFICATION DAY -
Our first Volunteer Training Certification Course will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2006 from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Cle Elum
Ranger Station. Please register by contacting Mikki. The course will include an in-house training class (educational and
trail maintenance information), followed by an afternoon chain-saw certification and safety course. It’s actually a really fun
day and attendees will receive a Cle Elum Volunteer Certificate for 2006.
Our first Volunteer Training Certification Course will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2006 from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Cle Elum
Ranger Station. Please register by contacting Mikki. The course will include an in-house training class (educational and
trail maintenance information), followed by an afternoon chain-saw certification and safety course. It’s actually a really fun
day and attendees will receive a Cle Elum Volunteer Certificate for 2006.
4x4 MAP AND TRAIL GUIDE UPDATE -
We actually had our first volunteer get-together this past winter, as 15 of our Jeep-Club members drove over to Cle
Elum to help update our Trail Guide book. I really appreciate everyone’s help. Remember that I told you I would
forward the rough-draft your way when I finished? Well, I was a little optimistic concerning the completion date.
Winter was very busy – a lot of snow equals a lot of work…. So, I’m still working on the trail guide and I have to be
done by mid-April, so – for those who helped – you should get the draft in a couple of weeks! We are also planning
on updating the ORV map to better serve our 4x4 users. We need detailed GPS information for the Liberty,
Manastash, Fortune Creek, and Table Mountain trails. Anyone wishing to help, please contact Mikki! I already have a
few of you signed-up (I’ll let you know who you are ). Thanks!
We actually had our first volunteer get-together this past winter, as 15 of our Jeep-Club members drove over to Cle
Elum to help update our Trail Guide book. I really appreciate everyone’s help. Remember that I told you I would
forward the rough-draft your way when I finished? Well, I was a little optimistic concerning the completion date.
Winter was very busy – a lot of snow equals a lot of work…. So, I’m still working on the trail guide and I have to be
done by mid-April, so – for those who helped – you should get the draft in a couple of weeks! We are also planning
on updating the ORV map to better serve our 4x4 users. We need detailed GPS information for the Liberty,
Manastash, Fortune Creek, and Table Mountain trails. Anyone wishing to help, please contact Mikki! I already have a
few of you signed-up (I’ll let you know who you are ). Thanks!
| Wally |
| Tad |
| Mikki |
| Simon |
| John |
| Joe |
Cle Elum Off-Road Vehicle Page
2006 WORK PARTIES
1. It’s going to be a busy year! We have various clubs from the Pacific Northwest 4x4 Association helping with trail
rehab. In the Liberty area (both sides of Hwy 97). Work on the Liberty trails will occur between May 21st and 29th.
2. Speaking of Memorial Day Weekend – we always need Education and Enforcement volunteers during that
three-day weekend. If you are interested, please contact Mikki.
3. A group of motorcycle and 4x4 volunteers will be working up near Gallagher Lake Head sometime this
summer. The plan is to block the environmentally sensitive meadow from wheeled and hoof traffic.
1. It’s going to be a busy year! We have various clubs from the Pacific Northwest 4x4 Association helping with trail
rehab. In the Liberty area (both sides of Hwy 97). Work on the Liberty trails will occur between May 21st and 29th.
2. Speaking of Memorial Day Weekend – we always need Education and Enforcement volunteers during that
three-day weekend. If you are interested, please contact Mikki.
3. A group of motorcycle and 4x4 volunteers will be working up near Gallagher Lake Head sometime this
summer. The plan is to block the environmentally sensitive meadow from wheeled and hoof traffic.
OUR CREW – NOTHIN’ NEW -
Familiar faces - like it or not - are what you’ll see in 2006. They include Wally Shearer, lead 4x4 ranger, John McHaffie, our veteran E&E Officer and all-
around great guy, Tad Smith, moto and MTB patrol, Joe Andler, our college superstar, and Mikki Douglass, office jockey, moto and MTB ranger. John
Simon is heading up a crew of 8 Maintenance and Operation crew members. We look forward to working with our volunteers this season!
Familiar faces - like it or not - are what you’ll see in 2006. They include Wally Shearer, lead 4x4 ranger, John McHaffie, our veteran E&E Officer and all-
around great guy, Tad Smith, moto and MTB patrol, Joe Andler, our college superstar, and Mikki Douglass, office jockey, moto and MTB ranger. John
Simon is heading up a crew of 8 Maintenance and Operation crew members. We look forward to working with our volunteers this season!