| Ranger Report - Wilderness and Front Country |
Thursday, July 21st, 2008
Wilderness Report - By Ranger Robin
Rachel, Rampart, and Lila Lakes
July 18-19, 2008
It was a busy day at Rachel today with 124 day and overnight hikers. That
brings today to a close second to my overall record, 127 people on the
PCT. The trail to Rachel Lake is in good condition, the snow has melted
out well with only patches left starting ¼ mile below the lake. At Rachel,
there is still snow but most of the campsites are snow free (if you can find
any people-free).
The switchbacks to Rampart Ridge have only small patches-most on the
switchbacks—PLEASE-do not cut them, the hillside is eroding already due
to this this season. The ridge top still has a few feet of snow making the
trails difficult to find. Rampart Lakes has a few camps snow free but lots of
snow everywhere and the lake is around 40% open. An avalanche this
winter has left debris and trees at the far lake. Just because there is wood
there does not mean that you can have a fire—they aren’t allowed at any
time!
The trail to Lila also has large snow patches and the lake basin is full of
snow. The lake is 30% open and no campsites are snow free. The lake is
beautiful right now! The trail up to Alta is much of the same with patchy
snow.
Report from Wilderness Ranger Rick -
Rick reports Ingall's Way trail to be nearly snow free to the lake. Today he
was with our crew as they headed out toward the Kendall Catwalk. They
didn't make it to the catwalk, but the trail is clear and logged out to that
point. The public reports the trail is snow free to and through the catwalk,
but it is impassable after that point due to snow! Crazy!
Rachel, Rampart, and Lila Lakes
July 18-19, 2008
It was a busy day at Rachel today with 124 day and overnight hikers. That
brings today to a close second to my overall record, 127 people on the
PCT. The trail to Rachel Lake is in good condition, the snow has melted
out well with only patches left starting ¼ mile below the lake. At Rachel,
there is still snow but most of the campsites are snow free (if you can find
any people-free).
The switchbacks to Rampart Ridge have only small patches-most on the
switchbacks—PLEASE-do not cut them, the hillside is eroding already due
to this this season. The ridge top still has a few feet of snow making the
trails difficult to find. Rampart Lakes has a few camps snow free but lots of
snow everywhere and the lake is around 40% open. An avalanche this
winter has left debris and trees at the far lake. Just because there is wood
there does not mean that you can have a fire—they aren’t allowed at any
time!
The trail to Lila also has large snow patches and the lake basin is full of
snow. The lake is 30% open and no campsites are snow free. The lake is
beautiful right now! The trail up to Alta is much of the same with patchy
snow.
Report from Wilderness Ranger Rick -
Rick reports Ingall's Way trail to be nearly snow free to the lake. Today he
was with our crew as they headed out toward the Kendall Catwalk. They
didn't make it to the catwalk, but the trail is clear and logged out to that
point. The public reports the trail is snow free to and through the catwalk,
but it is impassable after that point due to snow! Crazy!
| Ramparts |
| Lila Lake |
| 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 |
Front Country Report - Ranger Mikki D
Weekends continue to be busy on the Cle Elum Ranger District. I’ll start my
report with a rant… There were about five to seven jerks parked out at the
Taneum with their little pit bikes playing on the kids loop, tearing around the
campground, and riding where we had clearly posted “No Vehicle” signs.
They managed to annoy everyone camped in the area. Basically, if I can be
so bold, they were just loud mouth bully drunk jerks. You know the type,
right? Hopefully, we won’t see them again.
Now, back on track because most of the people we have the pleasure of
dealing and talking with, are great. The south side of the district is
completely logged out, including Greek Creek, Northridge, B lazed Ridge,
and he Manastash Ridge to the snowline. Yes, you heard right, to the
snowline! It’s July 21st and you still can’t make Blowout Mountain. Thanks
to the Cle Elum Ranger MotoShots and the V-Team for their hard work this
past weekend.
To the north; we made Gallagher Lake via the 4W301. It is clear, in good
condition, and logged out. We were up there on Saturday with the 509ers
Jeep Club looking at the ruts up near Hawkins (4W304). The 509ers are
going to take care of the trail damage during an upcoming work party. We
totally ruined the peace and quiet for the lone hiker when we arrived at the
lake. There were six Jeeps and seven dogs! The dogs were, of course, hot
and bored when we arrived at the lake. As soon as they saw water (6 were
labs!) all heck broke loose! The hiker was a great sport, though, and
seemed to tolerate the attention of dogs with sticks. After a couple of hours
of accessing the damage on the 304 and determining the equipment we will
need to fix it, we headed out the same way we came. Rush hour traffic on
the 301, by the way, occurs every Saturday at approximately 2:00 PM! We ran
into the great folks who run under the Timber Tamers colors (the people
who built Eugene’s great looking fenders), and talked with a bunch of
mountain bikers. Great folks having a nice time under the sun at Gallagher.
What could be better?
I patrolled the Teanaway via a mountain bike on Sunday. All I can say is
watch out on the North Fork road! A lot o people drive far too fast on this
narrow, dusty road. Makes me really wonder what the big hurry is? Enjoy
the forest and make it safe for everyone out there! Anyway, Esmeralda was
really busy, but all but two cars proudly displayed NW Forest Passes, so
kudos to everyone out there. I talked with some really nice folks who had
just finished the Iron Peak Trail, and they said it was in good condition and
the views on top were, of course, spectacular. I got into a scar comparison
contest with one of the guys. I won’t tell you who won.
Today I completed my first hike since my leg injury back in March! I did 9
miles, up and back on the beautiful Boulder Creek Trail. I met our lead
Wilderness ranger up near Gallagher and walked back with him. Those
guys work so hard. John carries a pack that must weigh 50 pounds, and
works on drainage and removing rocks as he hikes. That guy is a master
rock excavator, using only a combi tool!
Well, that’s my report. I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful summer. I
can honestly end my report (for the first time since March 1st) by saying, “See
you on the trail!”
Weekends continue to be busy on the Cle Elum Ranger District. I’ll start my
report with a rant… There were about five to seven jerks parked out at the
Taneum with their little pit bikes playing on the kids loop, tearing around the
campground, and riding where we had clearly posted “No Vehicle” signs.
They managed to annoy everyone camped in the area. Basically, if I can be
so bold, they were just loud mouth bully drunk jerks. You know the type,
right? Hopefully, we won’t see them again.
Now, back on track because most of the people we have the pleasure of
dealing and talking with, are great. The south side of the district is
completely logged out, including Greek Creek, Northridge, B lazed Ridge,
and he Manastash Ridge to the snowline. Yes, you heard right, to the
snowline! It’s July 21st and you still can’t make Blowout Mountain. Thanks
to the Cle Elum Ranger MotoShots and the V-Team for their hard work this
past weekend.
To the north; we made Gallagher Lake via the 4W301. It is clear, in good
condition, and logged out. We were up there on Saturday with the 509ers
Jeep Club looking at the ruts up near Hawkins (4W304). The 509ers are
going to take care of the trail damage during an upcoming work party. We
totally ruined the peace and quiet for the lone hiker when we arrived at the
lake. There were six Jeeps and seven dogs! The dogs were, of course, hot
and bored when we arrived at the lake. As soon as they saw water (6 were
labs!) all heck broke loose! The hiker was a great sport, though, and
seemed to tolerate the attention of dogs with sticks. After a couple of hours
of accessing the damage on the 304 and determining the equipment we will
need to fix it, we headed out the same way we came. Rush hour traffic on
the 301, by the way, occurs every Saturday at approximately 2:00 PM! We ran
into the great folks who run under the Timber Tamers colors (the people
who built Eugene’s great looking fenders), and talked with a bunch of
mountain bikers. Great folks having a nice time under the sun at Gallagher.
What could be better?
I patrolled the Teanaway via a mountain bike on Sunday. All I can say is
watch out on the North Fork road! A lot o people drive far too fast on this
narrow, dusty road. Makes me really wonder what the big hurry is? Enjoy
the forest and make it safe for everyone out there! Anyway, Esmeralda was
really busy, but all but two cars proudly displayed NW Forest Passes, so
kudos to everyone out there. I talked with some really nice folks who had
just finished the Iron Peak Trail, and they said it was in good condition and
the views on top were, of course, spectacular. I got into a scar comparison
contest with one of the guys. I won’t tell you who won.
Today I completed my first hike since my leg injury back in March! I did 9
miles, up and back on the beautiful Boulder Creek Trail. I met our lead
Wilderness ranger up near Gallagher and walked back with him. Those
guys work so hard. John carries a pack that must weigh 50 pounds, and
works on drainage and removing rocks as he hikes. That guy is a master
rock excavator, using only a combi tool!
Well, that’s my report. I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful summer. I
can honestly end my report (for the first time since March 1st) by saying, “See
you on the trail!”
| Rachel |
| The big Stu taken between Gallagher and Hawkins on the 4W304. |
| Just another perfect day on the Cle Elum District. |
| MTBing at Gallagher |
| Dogs gone wild. Gallagher Lake turned Labrador haven! |
| This nice lady had the entire lake to herself before the six labs and one weenie pup showed up. She is a really good sport! |