| Ranger Report - Winter |
January 5th, 2008
January 5th - This past weekend was really busy on the Cle Elum Ranger
District. A fairly large storm rolled through the area Thursday evening, leaving
about 10” of new at the 2,700’ level (east slopes). The snow alone would have
been manageable, but it was accompanied by high winds, leaving our crew with
a lot of blowdown to take care of. In fact, I started for work at 6:30AM and arrived
at 9AM, a ten mile trip that normally takes about 20 minutes. My neighbor and I
bucked 11 trees and made it under one (nearly) downed power line before
making it on to I-90! I knew the weekend was going to be a back breaker!
Our crew headed up the I-90 corridor to clear trees from the non-motorized and
lower motorized trails. Since the Kongsberger Ski Club was hosting a big race
on Sunday, we started there. We had a lot of work to do, and had to come back
on Saturday morning to finish the task. The grooming was great on Saturday and
Sunday.
Crystal Springs Sno-Pack was really busy all weekend. The dog sledders were
out in full force, and it was nice to see their lot full for the first time this season.
DOG LOVERS – please remember that dogs are not allowed on the non-
motorized groomed trails except at Crystal Springs, where we have about 4 miles
dedicated for our four-paw-drive friends. Dog friendly non-motorized areas
include the non-motorized Sno-Parks on Blewett Pass (Swauk and Pipe Creek),
and the Salmon la Sac non-motorized area (which is periodically groomed, so
please keep the pups out of the set tracks so we can keep the area open to
dogs).
The women’s race at Cabin Creek was really fun. Three of our crew members
participate in the 5K and 10K race, and our own Rappin’ Robin took the gold in
the 10K!
Other crew members’ road sleds up the Table Mountain trail system. They
checked on our poor groomer that slid down the big rock slide on the way to
Haney Meadow. We will have crew attempting to recover the groomer this
Thursday and the route will be closed while the operation is underway. Check
the web site Wednesday evening for any changes. Unfortunately, the route will be
plowed by dozers in order to get to the site. That’s the bad news…The good
news? They will recover the groomer and we will hopefully get back on schedule
really soon. The route will be restored as best as possible as the dozers head
out. As mentioned, check back for any further information. I will try to get some
recovery photos posted for you too!
The avalanche conditions have been fairly high for the past three weeks. Please
remember to check the conditions before you head out.
Well, the forecast is for rain, even in the mountains, so I am hoping the weather
man is wrong! Even though I am getting tired of my snow shovel, I love playing in
the winter! Hope everyone had a great Holiday Season and New Year’s! See you
on the trail!
- Mikki D reporting for Rangers Robin, Deb (D2), and Danger Ranger Jon,
Jammin' J-Beau
District. A fairly large storm rolled through the area Thursday evening, leaving
about 10” of new at the 2,700’ level (east slopes). The snow alone would have
been manageable, but it was accompanied by high winds, leaving our crew with
a lot of blowdown to take care of. In fact, I started for work at 6:30AM and arrived
at 9AM, a ten mile trip that normally takes about 20 minutes. My neighbor and I
bucked 11 trees and made it under one (nearly) downed power line before
making it on to I-90! I knew the weekend was going to be a back breaker!
Our crew headed up the I-90 corridor to clear trees from the non-motorized and
lower motorized trails. Since the Kongsberger Ski Club was hosting a big race
on Sunday, we started there. We had a lot of work to do, and had to come back
on Saturday morning to finish the task. The grooming was great on Saturday and
Sunday.
Crystal Springs Sno-Pack was really busy all weekend. The dog sledders were
out in full force, and it was nice to see their lot full for the first time this season.
DOG LOVERS – please remember that dogs are not allowed on the non-
motorized groomed trails except at Crystal Springs, where we have about 4 miles
dedicated for our four-paw-drive friends. Dog friendly non-motorized areas
include the non-motorized Sno-Parks on Blewett Pass (Swauk and Pipe Creek),
and the Salmon la Sac non-motorized area (which is periodically groomed, so
please keep the pups out of the set tracks so we can keep the area open to
dogs).
The women’s race at Cabin Creek was really fun. Three of our crew members
participate in the 5K and 10K race, and our own Rappin’ Robin took the gold in
the 10K!
Other crew members’ road sleds up the Table Mountain trail system. They
checked on our poor groomer that slid down the big rock slide on the way to
Haney Meadow. We will have crew attempting to recover the groomer this
Thursday and the route will be closed while the operation is underway. Check
the web site Wednesday evening for any changes. Unfortunately, the route will be
plowed by dozers in order to get to the site. That’s the bad news…The good
news? They will recover the groomer and we will hopefully get back on schedule
really soon. The route will be restored as best as possible as the dozers head
out. As mentioned, check back for any further information. I will try to get some
recovery photos posted for you too!
The avalanche conditions have been fairly high for the past three weeks. Please
remember to check the conditions before you head out.
Well, the forecast is for rain, even in the mountains, so I am hoping the weather
man is wrong! Even though I am getting tired of my snow shovel, I love playing in
the winter! Hope everyone had a great Holiday Season and New Year’s! See you
on the trail!
- Mikki D reporting for Rangers Robin, Deb (D2), and Danger Ranger Jon,
Jammin' J-Beau
| Big Stu from the Blewett Rockslide. |
| From Cabin Creek |
| Ranger Robin clearing the trails. |
| Groomer recovery operation. |