WENATCHEE RIVER RANGER DISTRICT
Tumwater Canyon Closure: All users of State Highway 2 through Tumwater Canyon north of the town of Leavenworth need to be aware that this road will be closed from 7:30 p.m. at night to 6:00 a.m. in the morning, Sundays through Thursdays, through mid to late June.
Washington State Department of Transportation crews will be performing maintenance work (grinding up old pavement and replacing it with new pavement) on the road between the road blocks located at the mouth of Tumwater Canyon, just southwest of Leavenworth, and just south of Tumwater Campground.
A large reader board will be placed at Coles Corner advising highway users of the evening detour through Plain and Chumstick Canyon. Forest users will still be able to access Tumwater Campground.
For more information please contact Washington State Department of Transportation at 509-667-2861 or 509-667-2924.
Snow Creek Wall Rock Climbing Closure: The Snow Creek Main Wall is closed to entry until July 31. Raptor nesting has been observed on the Snow Creek Wall Shield area. To protect these birds and climbers from the raptors aggressive behavior, all climbs from Outer Space, White Slabs Direct, and White Fright, south to the descent gully are closed to all entry during the nesting period. The descent gully remains open, as are all routes north of White Slabs. Please respect this closure and help these raptors have a successful nesting season.
Roads: Contact the district office for current road conditions. Please respect the barricades and gates on closed roads; they are in place to prevent damage to soft roadbeds.
- US Highway 2 paving project from Leavenworth to Tumwater Campground will require nighttime total road closures Sunday nights through Friday mornings between 7:30 and 6:00 a.m. for approximately 5 weeks beginning June 1, 2009. Traffic will be detoured from Coles Corner to Leavenworth via State Route 207/Lake Wenatchee Highway to the Chumstick Highway/Beaver Valley Road through Plain.
- Chiwawa River Road #6200 is open to the end of the road.
- White River Road #6400 is snowfree to the end.
- Little Wenatchee River Road #6500 is snowfree to the end of the pavement. There is a road washout area between Soda Springs and Lake Creek campgrounds, and trailers are not recommended.
- Mission Creek Road #7100 is closed ¼ mile beyond the Sand Creek Road #7104 due to flood damage. The upper gate is closed ¼ mile beyond the junction with Road #9712 due to snow on the road.
- Butcher Creek Road #6910 has some road damage at the lower end, drive carefully through this area.
- Number Two Canyon Road #7101 is closed at the national forest boundary due to flood damage.
- Scotty Creek Road #7324 is closed at the junction with Shaser Creek Road #7322 due to flood damage.
- Icicle Road #7600 is washed out beyond Ida Creek Campground.
- Eightmile Road #7601 is snowfree to the end.
- Beehive Road #9712 is snowfree to the gate just past the Upper Devils Gulch Trailhead.
Status of the Icicle Road #7600: In 2008, the upper end of Icicle Road #7600 received damage from debris slides that blocked Icicle Creek in two places. Water was forced out of the creek channel by the debris, taking the path of least resistance and leaving extensive damage. When the waters receded, left behind were massive rocky debris and total obliteration of at least 1/2 mile of the Icicle roadbed. Additional slides and washouts occurred this winter (2008-2009); we won't have a final assessment on road and campground damage in the upper Icicle Valley until the snow melts.
The upper portion of Icicle Road #7600 remains closed to all motorized vehicles. Three developed campgrounds (Blackpine, Chatter Creek and Rock Island) will remain closed through 2009. Five other developed campgrounds in the lower Icicle Valley are open to use and the road is accessible by vehicle to Ida Creek Campground. A parking area has been made just beyond Ida Creek Campground for those who want to access the upper Icicle trails by foot, mountain bike, or with stock animals.
Because of the severity of the damage and Icicle Creek now occupying the old road alignment, Wenatchee River Ranger District will examine the possibility of moving the road to higher ground (out of the flood plain and riparian areas), where it should be safe from future flooding. This proposal will go through the NEPA process allowing the public to comment on it. The present projection is that road surveying, planning and design could occur as early as summer of 2009, with construction in 2010. The road is projected to be open by fall 2010.
Closed indefinitely:
- Icicle Road #7600 is closed about ¼ mile beyond Ida Creek Campground
- FS Road #7605 is closed at Doctor Creek bridge
- Motorized vehicle access to Chatter Creek, Rock Island and Blackpine campgrounds and trailheads beyond Ida Creek Campground is prohibited
Mission Creek Road Closed due to Flood Damage: Heavy rains in early January led to major flooding and road damage on the Mission Creek Road #7100. The roadbed has washed out and the road is closed at the end of the county road. There is no parking or trailer turn-around at the road closure. At this time, Devils Gulch Trail users must access the trail via Red Devil Trail #1221 from the Sand Creek Trailhead off Sand Creek Road #7104. We hope to have the road repaired by fall 2009.
Group Campsites: To reserve one of the large group sites at Eightmile, Bridge Creek, or Tumwater Campgrounds, please call the National Reservation line at 1-877-444-6777 or via the Internet at www.recreation.gov . Reservations may be made up to 1 year in advance.
Old Cascad Tunnel is Closed! The tunnel is CLOSED indefinitely due to flash flooding potential. An underground collapse of soil and rock in the tunnel has created a very large pool of water with the potential to blow-out at any time. The area outside the west portal (the viewing area) and the tunnel are not safe. Stay out – stay safe!
Campgrounds:
|
Area |
Campground Name |
Fee |
Status as of 06-06-09 |
|
Icicle Creek |
Eightmile |
$15 per night 1st vehicle
$10 extra vehicle |
OPEN WITH FEES/SERVICES. |
|
Bridge Creek |
$13 per night 1st vehicle
$ 9 extra vehicle |
|
Lower Johnny Creek |
$15 per night 1st vehicle
$10 extra vehicle |
|
Upper Johnny Creek, |
$13 per night 1st vehicle
$ 9 extra vehicle |
|
Ida Creek |
$13 per night 1st vehicle
$ 9 extra vehicle |
|
Chatter Creek |
INACCESSIBLE TO MOTORIZED VEHICLES
DUE TO ROAD WASHOUT.
No fee. Bring drinking water, toilet paper, and pack out garbage.
|
|
Rock Island |
|
Black Pine |
|
Highway 2 |
Tumwater |
$16 per night 1st vehicle
$11 extra vehicle |
OPEN WITH FEES/SERVICES. |
|
Lake Wenatchee |
Nason Creek |
$16 per night 1st vehicle
$11 extra vehicle |
|
Glacier View |
$13 per night 1st vehicle
$ 9 extra vehicle |
|
White River |
Napeequa Crossing
Grasshopper Meadows,
White River Falls |
No fee |
Bring drinking water, toilet paper, and pack out garbage.
Trailers are not recommended on the Little Wenatchee Road #6500 beyond the Smithbrook Road #6700 junction due to road damage. |
|
Little Wenatchee
River |
Soda Springs, Lake Creek
Rainy Creek |
|
Chiwawa River |
Meadow Creek |
No fee |
Bring drinking water, toilet paper, and pack out garbage. |
|
Goose Creek, Finner Creek, Riverbend, Rock Creek, Chiwawa Horse Camp, Schaefer Creek,
Atkinson Flats, 19 Mile, Alpine Meadows, Phelps Creek |
$8 per night per vehicle |
OPEN WITH FEES/SERVICES. |
The Lake Wenatchee State Park is open year-round for camping. For summer season reservations at Washington State Parks, call (888) CAMPOUT.
Trails: Expect snow beginning between 3,000– 4,000 feet elevation. Trailheads accessible to wheeled motor vehicles at this time include:
|
TRAIL Number and Name |
STATUS AS OF 06-06-2009 |
|
# 704 Freund Canyon |
Cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1201 Mission Ridge |
Lower Devils Gulch Trailhead will be inaccessible to motorized vehicles this summer. Trail users must access this trail from Red Devil/Red Hill trailhead on Sand Creek Road #7104. Cleared of downed logs for 3 miles from the Lower Devils Gulch trailhead. |
|
#1202 Beehive |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1204 Tronson Ridge |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. Five Mile Road #7224 is not recommended for low clearance vehicles. Seasonal closure to motorized use until June 15. |
|
#1215 Ingalls Creek |
Cleared of downed logs for 3½ miles.
|
|
#1220 Devils Gulch |
Lower Devils Gulch Trailhead will be inaccessible to motorized vehicles this summer. Trail users must access this trail from Red Devil/Red Hill trailhead on Sand Creek Road #7104. Cleared of downed logs for 2½ miles where the trail is washed out. |
|
#1221 Red Devil Trail |
Cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1223 Red Hill |
Cleared of downed logs. Seasonal closure to motorized use from Red Hill Sur to Tronson Ridge Trail until June 15. |
|
#1223.1 Red Hill Spur |
Cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1500 Dirty Face |
Snowfree to 5,300 feet elevation. Not yet cleared of downed logs.
Use caution in areas burned by the 2005 Dirty Face Fire.
Watch for rolling rocks, debris, and falling trees. |
|
#1502 Indian Creek |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1503 Twin Lakes |
Snowfree. Not yet cleared of downed logs. The first creek crossing is blown out and the river is running down the trail for 100’. |
|
#1507 White River |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1509 Rock Creek |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1510 Hidden Lake |
Cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1511 Phelps Creek |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1513 Buck Creek |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1515 Basalt Ridge |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1517 Lake Minotaur |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1518 Little Giant |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. There is no trail bridge across the Chiwawa River. |
|
#1519 Schaefer Lake |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. There is no trail bridge across the Chiwawa River. |
|
#1523 Alder Ridge ORV |
Cleared of downed logs to the seasonal trail closure to motorized use at Faultline Road #6104. |
|
#1526 Heather Lake |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1527 Estes Butte |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1529 Round Mountain |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1539 Minnow Ridge |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1548 Lower Chiwawa ORV |
Cleared of downed logs from Deep Creek to Gate Creek. |
|
#1552 Eightmile Lake |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. DOGS & CAMPFIRES PROHIBITED. |
|
#1553 Snow Lakes |
Cleared of downed logs for 4 miles. DOGS & CAMPFIRES PROHIBITED. |
|
#1570 Icicle Ridge |
Snowfree to 5,000 feet elevation. Cleared of downed logs for 2 miles. CAMPFIRES PROHIBITED above 5,000 feet elevation in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. |
|
#1571 Chiwaukum Creek |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. CAMPFIRES PROHIBITED within ½ mile of Chiwaukum Lake and above 5,000 feet elevation in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. |
|
#1577 Hatchery Creek |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. CAMPFIRES PROHIBITED above 5,000 feet elevation in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. |
|
#1579 Fourth of July |
Snowfree to 5,000 feet elevation. Not yet cleared of downed logs. CAMPFIRES PROHIBITED above 5,000 feet elevation in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. |
|
TRAIL Number and Name |
STATUS AS OF 06-06-2009 |
|
#1582 White Pine |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1583 Nason Ridge at Kahler Glen |
Cleared of downed logs for 5 miles. |
|
#1585 Lake Ethel |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1587 Rock Mountain |
Snowfree to 4,500 feet elevation. Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1588 Merritt Lake |
Snowfree to 4,000 feet elevation. Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1589 Lanham Lake |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. |
|
#1599 Stuart/Colchuck Lake |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. Mostly snowfree to the Colchuck Lake Trail junction. DOGS & CAMPFIRES PROHIBITED. |
|
#2000 Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
North from Stevens Pass |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. CAMPFIRES PROHIBITED at Lake Valhalla and Lake Sally Ann. See Pacific Crest Trail detour information below. |
|
#2000 Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
South from Stevens Pass |
Not yet cleared of downed logs. CAMPFIRE PROHIBITED above 5,000 feet elevation in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. |
Pacific Crest Trail: Flood Damage and Trail Detour: The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCNST) was heavily damaged by flooding in October 2003 in the vicinity of Glacier Peak on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Darrington Ranger District. Seven major trail bridges were destroyed and sections of the trail were severely damaged by mudslides. Because of this damage, the trail is impassable to hikers and stock between Red Pass and Miners Creek.
A hiker detour route departs the PCNST #2000 at Indian Pass, down Indian Creek Trail #1502, up the White River Trail #1507 to Boulder Creek Trail #1562, then over Little Giant Pass Trail #1518, up the Chiwawa Road #6200 to Buck Creek Trail #1513, then back onto the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Forest on the Middle Ridge Trail #785 which rejoins the PCNST near Suiattle Pass. The detour route is about 10 miles longer than the damaged 39-mile segment. Users can expect high fords until mid-August, and trail sections that are steep, rough, brushy, and difficult to follow. These trails require a high skill level for hikers.
Stock users are advised to trailer between Stevens Pass and the Buck Creek trailheads. Another option is to travel the PCNST farther north and come out via the Little Wenatchee Trail #1525 or Indian Creek Trail #1502 then make arrangements to trailer stock around to the Buck Creek trailhead.
Maps and more detailed information are available on the forest web site http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/pct/ .
Recreation Passes: Passes are required at the following trailheads on the Wenatchee River Ranger District. This list includes only the trailhead names and does not show each individual trail.
|
Alder Ridge
Blackpine Stock unloading
Buck Creek (Trinity)
Chatter Creek
Chikamin
Chiwaukum Creek
Devil’s Gulch (Lower) *
Dirtyface |
Eightmile
Fourth of July
Hatchery Creek
Hidden Lake *
Icicle Creek
Icicle Gorge *
Icicle Ridge
Ingalls Creek * |
Jack/Trout Creek
Little Wenatchee *
Lower Chiwawa
Merritt Lake
Nason Ridge
Phelps Creek (Spider Meadows) *
Red Hill *
Round Mountain |
Schaefer Lake
Smithbrook *
Snow Lakes *
Stuart Lake *
Twin Lakes
Whitepine
White River |
Day passes can also be purchased during the summer months from fee tubes at the trailheads noted with * above.
Recreation passes cost $5.00 per vehicle per day or $30.00 for an annual Northwest Forest Pass. Passes are available locally at the ranger station, Der Sportsman, Icicle Quik Stop, Village Mercantile, Sleeping Lady Gift Shop, Pioneer Market in Cashmere, Ingalls Creek Convenience Center, Parkside Grocery, and Plain Hardware. Interagency Passes are also honored at trailheads and are available for purchase at the ranger station.
Enchantment Permits: Overnight Wilderness permits are required from June 15 to October 15 for the Enchantment Area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. To obtain a permit application, download a copy from this website http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/passes/enchantments/ or call the Wenatchee River Ranger District’s Leavenworth office at (509) 548-2550. Enchantment permit fees have increased in cost to $5 per person per day. A daily lottery drawing for a limited number of slots is held at 7:45 a.m. Monday through Saturday during the permit season.
All dates for the core Enchantment zone have been filled for July, August, September, and early October. An updated availability calendar is posted on the website.
CHELAN RANGER DISTRICT
Camping: Federal dock permits are now required at all uplake campgrounds on Lake Chelan. Dock permits are required from May 1 through October 31. The price for a daily permit is $5.00 and a season permit is $40.00.
All uplake campgrounds are open; however, the dock at Lucerne Campground is currently closed due to the low level of the lake.
Refrigerator Harbor Campground will be closed from June 5-10 and Graham Harbor Campground will be closed from June 11-19 for toilet replacements to occur. Deer Point and Safety Harbor campgrounds will also be closed sometime this month for repairs. Please call the district for more information on uplake campgrounds.
Snowberry Bowl Campground is open and the water system has been turned on. Fees are now being charged--$10.00 a night and $8.00 for each extra vehicle.
Roads: Most high elevation district roads are still covered in snow. Please call the district office for more information. Watch out for rocks as many are falling onto the roadways.
Echo Ridge: Fantastic scenery may be seen from many of the trails at Echo Ridge. Echo Ridge trails are now open to all non-motorized use and no fees are being charged.
Lakeshore Trail has been cleared and maintained.
Domke Lake Trail #1280 has been maintained from Lucerne to Domke Lake.
ENTIAT RANGER DISTRICT
Trails: The Lower Mad River Trail #1409 washed out three miles above the campground making it impossible for motorized vehicle use at this time. Lower Mad River Trail can be accessed via Road #5709. This route has been maintained to the junction with Trail #1413. Trail maintenance is occurring this week on the remainder of that trail.
Trail reconstruction work from Pine Flats to Camp 9 will continue through June; once reconstruction work begins the trail will be closed to all use.
Upper Mad River Trail #1409.1 is still under a seasonal closure for motorcycles, mountain bikes, and horses. The closure will last until the snow melts and the trail dries out.
Silver Falls Trail #1442 has been maintained
Entiat River trail #1400 has been maintained to Myrtle Lake
The following trails require a Recreation Pass--Silver Falls Trail #1442, Lake Creek Trail #1443, North Fork Entiat River Trail #1437 and Entiat River Trail #1400. Passes must be displayed so they are visible to compliance officers. Northwest Forest Pass, Golden Age, Golden Access, Interagency Pass, and Washington and Oregon Recreation Passes are all valid.
Campgrounds: All campgrounds, except for Cottonwood Campground, are open and charging fees.
|
CAMPGROUND |
LOCATION |
ELEV. |
SITES |
FEE |
FACILITIES |
|
Pine Flats |
14 miles from Highway 97A on Mad River Road |
1600’ |
6 tent sites |
$8.00 per vehicle/per night plus $6.00 per night for each extra vehicle |
Vault toilets and water and garbage |
|
Fox Creek |
27 miles from Highway 97A on Entiat River Road |
2000’ |
16 campsites |
$10.00 per vehicle/ per night plus $8.00 per night for each extra vehicle |
Vault toilets, water and garbage service |
|
Lake Creek |
28 miles from Highway 97A on Entiat River Road |
2200’ |
18 campsites |
$10.00 per vehicle per night plus $8.00 per night for each extra vehicle |
Vault toilets, water and garbage service |
|
Silver Falls |
30 miles from Highway 97A on Entiat River Road |
2400’ |
31 campsites |
$12.00 per vehicle per night plus$10.00 per night for each extra vehicle |
Vault toilets, water and garbage service |
|
North Fork |
33 miles from Highway 97A on Entiat River Road |
2500’ |
8 tent sites |
$10.00 per vehicle per night plus $8.00 per night for each extra vehicle |
Vault toilets, water and garbage service |
|
Three Creek |
36 miles from Highway 97A on Entiat River Road |
2900’ |
3 tent sites
No RV sites |
$5.00 per vehicle per night plus $5.00 per night for each extra vehicle |
Pit toilets |
|
Cottonwood |
38 miles from Highway 97A on Entiat River Road |
3100’ |
|
CLOSED |
|
|
Spruce Grove |
34 miles from Highway 97A on Entiat River Road |
2900’ |
2 campsites
No RV sites |
$5.00 per vehicle per night, plus $5.00 per night for each extra vehicle |
Pit toilets |
Group sites at Silver Falls ($60.00 per night), Pine Flats ($60.00 per night) and Cottonwood Cabin ($60.00 per night) are reservable this year through Reserve America. These sites may be reserved by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 or on line at www.recreation.gov .
Spring Recreation: This is the time of year when people are anxious to get out into the woods and visit their national forests. However, many roads and trails are still covered with snow and downed trees. Most high elevation areas will not be snowfree until July, and many trails will not be maintained until late July.