| Ranger Report - Wilderness and Front Country |
Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
| 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 |
G’Day Everyone. What a crazy weekend.
Hawkins Mountain Work Party - Our crew headed up to Gallagher on Thursday to prepare
for a weekend work party on the 4W304 trail. The Cle Elum Ranger District has a really old
little front loader tractor that the Maintenance crew recently got operable. We put it on the
trailer and drove it up to the end of the Fortune Creek Road, where Wes Willette (509ers
Club) bumped it all the way to Gallagher Lake. That alone was an amazing feat (as anyone
who knows the 4W301 trail can imagine), but he took it all the way to the base of Hawkins
Mountain Friday morning. Back to Thursday evening, though. Myself, plus the Willette clan,
stayed the night at Gallagher. July 31st was the last night we could have a campfire on the
District, and boy were we thankful! It was unseasonably cold, with rain and wind. One of the
great things about Jeep camping is you can carry a lot of supplies and extra cloths. We
hung a tarp up and huddled by the fire before finally retiring. Then the real winds came. We
all put in a really long day, and were exhausted, but no one slept that evening. I was thankful
for my lightweight hiking tent over the 4x4 Willette Condo… There was less material to catch
the wind! It was pretty exciting, but we all survived.
It took us until noon the following day (Friday) to get the tractor up to the work site, but Wes
(certifiably nutso!) walked it up on his own until the last steep pitch. Then we had to tie off a
lifeline winch cable. That was exciting! We were in reverse with a tight line and being pulled
toward the little tractor! Finally, we regained traction and up came the wide-eyed Willette
with his bucket full of rocks. About that time, the rest of the 509ers crew showed up, fresh
and ready to work. Our adrenaline was still redlined and all we wanted to do was go back
down to the lake for a rest period and lunch. They didn’t quite understand our laziness.
We actually finished filling in the deep ruts with the large rocks by 7pm on Friday evening.
We had another crew coming in on Saturday to do the finish work (smaller pebbles and
rocks on the top), so we winched the tractor back down the hill. The G-Man was riding shot
with me in the Jeep and he nearly bailed out when the tractor began to pull us down the hill
(again). The rest of the crew quickly threw big rocks in front of the wheels to chalk Eugene
(our Jeep). Both equipment and crew got down in one piece. Thanks to Al, who brought up
Costco steaks, and Kim, who made several delicious side dishes, we all had a great
dinner! The evening was really fun, but the winds (minus the rain, thank heavens) stole
another night’s sleep away from most of the crew. My exhaustion won out, though. I only
heard of the tempest winds the following morning!
Hawkins Mountain Work Party - Our crew headed up to Gallagher on Thursday to prepare
for a weekend work party on the 4W304 trail. The Cle Elum Ranger District has a really old
little front loader tractor that the Maintenance crew recently got operable. We put it on the
trailer and drove it up to the end of the Fortune Creek Road, where Wes Willette (509ers
Club) bumped it all the way to Gallagher Lake. That alone was an amazing feat (as anyone
who knows the 4W301 trail can imagine), but he took it all the way to the base of Hawkins
Mountain Friday morning. Back to Thursday evening, though. Myself, plus the Willette clan,
stayed the night at Gallagher. July 31st was the last night we could have a campfire on the
District, and boy were we thankful! It was unseasonably cold, with rain and wind. One of the
great things about Jeep camping is you can carry a lot of supplies and extra cloths. We
hung a tarp up and huddled by the fire before finally retiring. Then the real winds came. We
all put in a really long day, and were exhausted, but no one slept that evening. I was thankful
for my lightweight hiking tent over the 4x4 Willette Condo… There was less material to catch
the wind! It was pretty exciting, but we all survived.
It took us until noon the following day (Friday) to get the tractor up to the work site, but Wes
(certifiably nutso!) walked it up on his own until the last steep pitch. Then we had to tie off a
lifeline winch cable. That was exciting! We were in reverse with a tight line and being pulled
toward the little tractor! Finally, we regained traction and up came the wide-eyed Willette
with his bucket full of rocks. About that time, the rest of the 509ers crew showed up, fresh
and ready to work. Our adrenaline was still redlined and all we wanted to do was go back
down to the lake for a rest period and lunch. They didn’t quite understand our laziness.
We actually finished filling in the deep ruts with the large rocks by 7pm on Friday evening.
We had another crew coming in on Saturday to do the finish work (smaller pebbles and
rocks on the top), so we winched the tractor back down the hill. The G-Man was riding shot
with me in the Jeep and he nearly bailed out when the tractor began to pull us down the hill
(again). The rest of the crew quickly threw big rocks in front of the wheels to chalk Eugene
(our Jeep). Both equipment and crew got down in one piece. Thanks to Al, who brought up
Costco steaks, and Kim, who made several delicious side dishes, we all had a great
dinner! The evening was really fun, but the winds (minus the rain, thank heavens) stole
another night’s sleep away from most of the crew. My exhaustion won out, though. I only
heard of the tempest winds the following morning!
Saturday – Boulder-Deroux – Nicole and I were joined by two of our regular
volunteers for a hike out Boulder Creek. The rest of the crew babysat the tractor
all the way down the 4W301. The trail is in fairly good condition, save the upper
section, which is scheduled to be re-routed due to the marshy areas. I stepped
on seemingly solid ground only to sink in mud half way up my calf. It was great
entertainment for everyone save me, but I faked a laugh just to appear a good
sport. We met up with the Jeep crew at trailhead (Cle Valley side).
Saturday – Table Mountain – The Annual Star Party was out in force on Lion’s
Rock. We’re talking hundreds of star watchers with HUGE telescopes, great
entertainment, and good food. Considering the number of people that show up,
this event is extremely well-behaved. Our MotoShots patrolled the area and the
only violation they came across was two nine-year-old kids punching holes in
water trough. The crew found the grandparents of both children, one who was
very cooperative and the other who threatened to sue the officers because their
kid was vandalizing government property (I wonder which kid will grow up to be
responsible for his or her actions?). At any rate, the Star Gazers are a great
group of people who put on a class act event.
The only real trouble seen by the MotoShots Saturday was their own. The front
axle bolt on the Sawyer bike (the one that carries a chain saw on the front), came
loose, fell off, and found a happy home jammed between the rotor and brake
pads, sending Bear (aka Big Steve) over the bars. The huge bruise on his upper
arm and a bent rotor were the only two injuries, so things could have been
worse. Can you say, Pre-Ride Check?
volunteers for a hike out Boulder Creek. The rest of the crew babysat the tractor
all the way down the 4W301. The trail is in fairly good condition, save the upper
section, which is scheduled to be re-routed due to the marshy areas. I stepped
on seemingly solid ground only to sink in mud half way up my calf. It was great
entertainment for everyone save me, but I faked a laugh just to appear a good
sport. We met up with the Jeep crew at trailhead (Cle Valley side).
Saturday – Table Mountain – The Annual Star Party was out in force on Lion’s
Rock. We’re talking hundreds of star watchers with HUGE telescopes, great
entertainment, and good food. Considering the number of people that show up,
this event is extremely well-behaved. Our MotoShots patrolled the area and the
only violation they came across was two nine-year-old kids punching holes in
water trough. The crew found the grandparents of both children, one who was
very cooperative and the other who threatened to sue the officers because their
kid was vandalizing government property (I wonder which kid will grow up to be
responsible for his or her actions?). At any rate, the Star Gazers are a great
group of people who put on a class act event.
The only real trouble seen by the MotoShots Saturday was their own. The front
axle bolt on the Sawyer bike (the one that carries a chain saw on the front), came
loose, fell off, and found a happy home jammed between the rotor and brake
pads, sending Bear (aka Big Steve) over the bars. The huge bruise on his upper
arm and a bent rotor were the only two injuries, so things could have been
worse. Can you say, Pre-Ride Check?
Sunday – Pete Lake Trail – Pam and Kyle joined me for another hike, this time on the
Pete Lake trail. The trail is open to Mountain Bikes until approximately 1/6 mile before
the Wilderness Boundary. Then, riders can bail out on the 1323.1 Trail to a closed (to
motorized) old F.S. Road. I ride the loop in the opposite direction, however. The 1323.1
is a rocky, steep incline to the F.S. Road. Start on the road and head down to Pete Lake
Trail. We, however, were hiking, so no problemos. Sunday was beautiful! As always,
there were a lot of folks on the trail. Some were just overnight camping at Pete, while
others had spent two nights hiking the Waptus to Pete Lake loop. Everyone was
cheerful, even the North Bend Scout Troop, who had one young member with enough
energy left to run ahead, hide in the bushes, and scare the heck out of his buddies (and
Pam). Lunch was, of course, spent at beautiful Pete Lake, and talk about getting the
Beeejeevies scared out of you… Klye was cleaning his hands off when a water snake
used them for traction. I knew 14-year-old Twig could move fast, but I didn’t know he
could scream that loud! I'm really proud of Pam Bosman, by the way, who hiked two
days in a row! Congratulations, Pam!
Sunday – Granite Creek Trail – Al, from the 509ers, spends a lot of time working on his
backyard trail, so he gets especially mad when he sees it torn up. It never fails, it
seems, that once a season some uneducated dumb @## takes his moto down the trail
and rips up the steep switchbacks. A) He can’t read (the sign that says “No Motorized
Vehicle”, and B) He can’t ride (the guys just rips things up – no throttle control, no bike
control). He gets the thumbs-down for the week. I have to listen to the non-motorized
advocates complain as they use this one incident of dorkhood as an example of all
riders. Thanks a lot, pal! By the way, this is one of only two trails NOT open to
motorcycles on the south side for the District. You have over 300 miles to enjoy and you
choose to rip up a two mile trail closed to you? Go figure! Hey, that was my rant for
the day!
Pete Lake trail. The trail is open to Mountain Bikes until approximately 1/6 mile before
the Wilderness Boundary. Then, riders can bail out on the 1323.1 Trail to a closed (to
motorized) old F.S. Road. I ride the loop in the opposite direction, however. The 1323.1
is a rocky, steep incline to the F.S. Road. Start on the road and head down to Pete Lake
Trail. We, however, were hiking, so no problemos. Sunday was beautiful! As always,
there were a lot of folks on the trail. Some were just overnight camping at Pete, while
others had spent two nights hiking the Waptus to Pete Lake loop. Everyone was
cheerful, even the North Bend Scout Troop, who had one young member with enough
energy left to run ahead, hide in the bushes, and scare the heck out of his buddies (and
Pam). Lunch was, of course, spent at beautiful Pete Lake, and talk about getting the
Beeejeevies scared out of you… Klye was cleaning his hands off when a water snake
used them for traction. I knew 14-year-old Twig could move fast, but I didn’t know he
could scream that loud! I'm really proud of Pam Bosman, by the way, who hiked two
days in a row! Congratulations, Pam!
Sunday – Granite Creek Trail – Al, from the 509ers, spends a lot of time working on his
backyard trail, so he gets especially mad when he sees it torn up. It never fails, it
seems, that once a season some uneducated dumb @## takes his moto down the trail
and rips up the steep switchbacks. A) He can’t read (the sign that says “No Motorized
Vehicle”, and B) He can’t ride (the guys just rips things up – no throttle control, no bike
control). He gets the thumbs-down for the week. I have to listen to the non-motorized
advocates complain as they use this one incident of dorkhood as an example of all
riders. Thanks a lot, pal! By the way, this is one of only two trails NOT open to
motorcycles on the south side for the District. You have over 300 miles to enjoy and you
choose to rip up a two mile trail closed to you? Go figure! Hey, that was my rant for
the day!
Wilderness Report – Ranger John gave me a bunch of photos, but due to the
marvels of modern technology, my computer wouldn’t recognize his camera
card. I did get to see his pics from Robin Lakes, however! He must have hiked
up there on Friday, when the weather was bad, because he was in a heavy fog.
He told me that he lost the trail several times. There is still a lot of snow up on
top! What a crazy year. It looks like some places won’t melt out completely.
Snow can start to fall in the higher elevations at any time in late September. I
haven’t received any new reports regarding the Kendall Catwalk and the snow
past the cliff. If anyone went up there last weekend, please let me know how it
looks!
A sad note. Wilderness Ranger, Billy Ford’s, last day was Monday. Billy lost
her mother, who was also her close friend, last month. The both lived in
Ellensburg. She has decided to move down south to be with her mother’s
sister and family. Billy is a great ranger, a good friend, and has a heart the size
of mountains she loves to climb. Any Forest will be lucky to have her. We sure
were. We will miss you, Billy.
Well, that’s it for this week. You know what I know. I will post another report
this Thursday, then you will be on your own for two weeks, as I am heading to
Alaska. Have fun, take photos, and share your trail stories!
See you on the trail – Mikki D
marvels of modern technology, my computer wouldn’t recognize his camera
card. I did get to see his pics from Robin Lakes, however! He must have hiked
up there on Friday, when the weather was bad, because he was in a heavy fog.
He told me that he lost the trail several times. There is still a lot of snow up on
top! What a crazy year. It looks like some places won’t melt out completely.
Snow can start to fall in the higher elevations at any time in late September. I
haven’t received any new reports regarding the Kendall Catwalk and the snow
past the cliff. If anyone went up there last weekend, please let me know how it
looks!
A sad note. Wilderness Ranger, Billy Ford’s, last day was Monday. Billy lost
her mother, who was also her close friend, last month. The both lived in
Ellensburg. She has decided to move down south to be with her mother’s
sister and family. Billy is a great ranger, a good friend, and has a heart the size
of mountains she loves to climb. Any Forest will be lucky to have her. We sure
were. We will miss you, Billy.
Well, that’s it for this week. You know what I know. I will post another report
this Thursday, then you will be on your own for two weeks, as I am heading to
Alaska. Have fun, take photos, and share your trail stories!
See you on the trail – Mikki D
| The 509ers worked like dogs up at Hawkins! |
| Above: El Loco Wes Below: The 509ers |
| Okay, that's bigger than my K-Mart special. |
| Star Gazer Mini-Me's enjoy the Kid's Observation tent. |
| Man, remember childhood? How cool would you feel riding your own pony in the Wilderness? These girls were COOL! |
| Kyle and Momma Boss after a water snake scare. |
| Pete Lake. |
| Esmeralda Peaks. |