Semi-Cool Spring is out, Sweaty Summer is in; 5/24- 6/3

Boy-howdy. What a reminder of how hot it can get here in the Okanogan… We are watching snowlines recede, trailside streams begin to slow, but the rivers are still running swiftly. This is to say that our trail crew is dusting off their handsaws in preparation for longer backcountry excursions. Starting next week, they’ll be off working and camping for 8 days at a time in the hard to reach places of our valley.

As the dust from our last volunteer work week party settles, we prep for ANOTHER ONE happening the 16-20 of June. This time based out of Klipchuck campground and doing some work on some of the more popular highway 20 classics. The dates are up on sign-up genius which you can find through this website. Come for the week, or just a few days, we’d be happy you came by.

The conditions/trail reports with the latest date worked on listed.

Twisp Pass 5/24: Cut out up to the Copper Creek Junction, and aside from the heavy trenching that occurs just past the wilderness boundary, the trail is in pretty good shape. There wasn’t a heavy amount of logs. There was one particular log that some of our up and coming sawyer savvy volunteers got to take on. While it was a challenge- the log was lengthways in the trail and suspended at chest height for 4o feet - we managed to create a plan that allowed for a pretty efficient removal.

North Lake 5/27: This trail has been heavier in log load load than in the past, a volunteer, Allen, and myself have cut out a rough total of 45 logs to get up to the creek crossing where we were snowed out. At the time it was about mid shin to knee high and consistent. After the past week of heat, however, I’d expect to at least get a little ways further.

Twisp River 5/27: Thanks to an assist from the Forest Service, MVTC and our merry volunteer trail friends were able to knock out over 100 logs spanning from War Creek to North Creek. The section from War Creek Campground to the Eagle Creek/Oval Road remains untouched- for now!

West Fork Methow 5/28: Nick and Aaron, MVTC’s strongest power couple, went back out to tackle some brush and tread work before Trout Creek. It’s still log free and now easier pass to that point.

Ruby Creek Connector 5/30: Allen and Aaron took the long drive to the Western boundary of the Forest to work on the Ruby Creek Connector, the start of the popular Devils Dome loop. This was as much a scouting trip as it was a productive day of clearing trails. We wanted to see snow levels before our upcoming Highway 20 work week, and get started on the Devils Dome clearing, which is on the docket for later in the summer. The trail is cleared between the NPS boundary and the dilapidated Granite Creek Cabin. Ruby Creek was running high and fast, so crossing at the NPS bridge from the East Bank trailhead is strongly recommended. Many trailheads were still snowed in as we drove across Washington Pass.

West Fork Buttermilk 6/3: MVTC staff and Allen’s dog, Cosmo managed to make a short push beyond where the previous folks had left off; just barely past 1.5 miles. The log load has been heavy, and with the slide at the 3-4 mile point, stock traffic is ill advised and hikers should be prepared to maneuver around windfall.

Monument Creek 6/4: Our crew is set to spend 8 days working on this trail starting June 10. MVTC, Forest Service, and skilled volunteers built the bridge across Eureka creek which put trail work to halt past that point for something in the ballpark of 30 years. I(one of the multiple Nicks) set out to scout the trail, mainly to check on a rumored water source before Pistol Pass (there is as of 6/4, but its scarce and maybe unreliable at a certain point in the summer). As folks have documented on various other websites, the trail is steep, exposed, and as of now, hard to follow at times due to logs and brush. I personally relied on mapping services and carefully placed stones to find the route.

Robinson Creek 6/5: MVTC built off the Forest Service’s previous log out efforts. The FS cut the trail to the wilderness, with a moderate amount down, and MVTC staff plus an enthusiastic volunteer cut out a few logs getting to Beauty Creek. The trail is quite pleasant: the grade is reasonable, the views are nice, and it remains unburnt. An avid dendrologist would even delight in finding Pacific Yew on this trail. One log remains partially uncut, however. Between the petrified feeling from fat wood in the trunk, and several root ball related binds, we simply couldn’t finish it in a reasonable time. For now, we lick our wounds, but windfall beware; we return to cut another day.

Thanks to everyone who came out to help this week! If you’re looking for a mid-week hike with a purpose, don’t hesitate to reach out. We could likely use the help between scheduled work parties.