July 2nd, 2009
Posted by Thomas Wolter
If you were thinking about getting some target practice along the I-90 corridor, you may want to reconsider and choose an alternative location. Due to shooting incidents The Mount Baker National Forest has decided to close several roads along the interstate, starting this weekend.
The closure area encompasses the valley bottom that follows the I-90 freeway corridor from Exit 38 to the top of Snoqualmie Pass. The Tinkham and Denny Creek roads are included.
“We have a serious public safety concern,” said Snoqualmie District Ranger Jim Franzel. “If we don’t do something immediately, someone will get hurt. We are closing the smallest land area possible to prevent an injury and provide for public safety.”
The target shooting closure area encompasses concentrated recreation uses with multiple roads, campgrounds, trailheads and picnic areas.
Franzel said the local geography doesn’t provide for natural target shooting backstops, so target shooters often use trees and vegetation as backstops, not realizing there may be a trailhead or people recreating within range.
Although unsafe target shooting has been a growing problem on national forest lands adjacent to I-90, recent near-misses of road repair workers and shooting across roads has elevated the concern. “Peak visitor use is during the summer and additional road repair and trail reconstruction is scheduled,” Franzel said.
Target shooting regulations remain unchanged everywhere else on the district. The Code of Federal Regulations prohibits discharging firearms within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area. Violators can be fined up to $5,000 and/or imprisoned up to six months in jail. Signs are posted marking closed areas.
This is a temporary emergency closure. The forest will consider the need for a permanent closure in one year. Franzel said that target shooting in high-use recreation areas has increased over the years, along with associated environmental damage and dumped trash.
June 25th, 2009
Posted by Thomas Wolter
If you are looking for an aggressive summer hike, than Annette Lake just might be your solution. The elevational gain is substantial and the views are tremendous. Keep in mind, this is backcountry wilderness, and even in late June, Annette Lake can still be partly frozen. Just to be safe, do not walk out on the ice, as breaking through would most likely damage your enjoyment of the hike…..ahum. Dog’s are ok on the trails, but keep them close. Stats: 3.6 miles, 1400′ elevation gain, high point 3600′. Getting there: Take I-90 to exit 47 and get on Road 55 on the south side of the freeway. Turn east and the trailhead is at the parking lot half a mile ahead.
June 19th, 2009
Posted by Thomas Wolter
Sunday, June 21, 2009 - Mountains to Sound Relay: If you are looking for action this weekend regardless of weather, you may want to check out the 4th Annual Mountains to Sound Relay! There will be over 200 teams, 50 pairs teams and 75 Iron Solos. The event consists of a 23 mile mountain bike ride, a 50 mile road bike ride, a 12 mile canoe/kayak, a ½ Marathon and 6 mile sprint to the finish line at Golden Gardens Park on the Seattle waterfront.” All in a days work…ahum. Celebrate the exciting Mountains to Sound Relay finish at Golden Gardens Park on the Seattle waterfront. Spectators can cheer on as racers cross the finish line, listen to the live broadcast by KMTT The Mountain and enjoy the festive atmosphere. The fun will begin at 2:00pm .
June 11th, 2009
Posted by Thomas Wolter
Unfortunately, another casualty of the poor economy is the cancellation of the annual “Music in the Mountains” located in Snoqualmie Pass. This is very unfortunate as this summer concert was a wonderful family event, set in a beautiful setting.
At least for now, it does not look like the venue will occur, although there is still some consideration for a smaller production that will be held in August.
Stay tuned for futre updates.
April 11th, 2009
Posted by Thomas Wolter
The other day, I decided to head up to Snoqualmie Pass for a couple of hours of snow boarding. I made it to within one mile of the Denny Creek exit where the traffic was stopped, before we were forced to park on the highway for avalance control. We sat on the highway for 3.5 hours….. and by the time the roads were re-opened, our window of opportunity had expired, and we simply turned around and headed back to Seattle. Now this is the one time in quite awhile, that I did not call ahead to the Department of Transportation to check the report prior to departure.
The safest procedure is to call the Ski Report hotline at Snoqualmie Pass, as well as the DOT, as most of the time following a large dumpage of fresh powder, there will be avalanche control. You can access both of these phone numbers, as well as both Snow Cams and Road Cams on my website at: www.snoqualmiepassliving.com.
I have also found that if you get out of town early (which you should be doing anyway if you want to be “gettin the fresheees”) you will ususally just miss the avalance control on the way up. Also, make sure that you check the reports on your way back down, as rather than sitting in the “I-90 Parking lot”, you could get a few more runs in and have an effortless commute home.
Now, a more advanced method of dealing with this continuous challenge is to own a home in Snoqualmie Pass. If I anticipate that we are going to have an epic powder day, I may decide to head up to Snoqalmie Pass the night before and stay at our home in Hyak, and be fully prepared for a memorable powder day without any commuting challenges. With property values at an all time low, there are some exceptional mountain homes available right now. See the ”Homes for Sale” link from the website: www.snoqualmiepassliving.com.
February 11th, 2009
Posted by Thomas Wolter
Did you know that we have a future Olympian who grew up skiing in the Hyak area?
The 21-year-old Cle Elum resident is a rising star on the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team and has his sights locked on the 2010 Olympics.
He was rookie of the year on the world tour last season, and while he hasn’t skied quite as well this season, according to his coach, he finished fourth in Saturday’s World Cup on the course that will be used in next year’s Olympics, in Vancouver, BC.
Patrick’s dad, Pat, was the first to see his son’s talent.
When Pat was the general manager at Hyak, now Summit East on Snoqualmie Pass, his son started skiing at 11 months of age.
When Deneen started racing, he won almost every junior race he entered. While he was always fast, he said he was best at the technical events like slalom.
But it wasn’t long before Deneen fell in love with skiing moguls.
And as with ski racing, Deneen proved to be a natural in freestyle, which consists of ballet, moguls, and aerials.
Last winter he and his dad built a kicker on a slope in their backyard so he could practice his jumps. After each run his dad would tow him back up the hill with a snowmobile so he could go again.
Deneen finished third in three World Cup events last season. This year he is eighth in the World Cup standings, better than any of his teammates.
The strength of his game is his speed.
However, in moguls, speed is just part of the game. You also have to look good.
Scoring criteria are 25 percent speed, 50 percent turns and 25 percent performance on two jumps.
For the Deneens, just being in position to make the team 369 days before the games open is a dream come true.
January 30th, 2009
Posted by Thomas Wolter
After another brutal week of economic news, there is nothing like looking at sun drenched, snow covered, mountain tops to gain a new perspective. We are on our way up to Snoqualmie Pass this afternoon to “get a new attitude”. It really is a million miles away, right around the corner.
If your children enjoy time on the snow (not to mention the big kids…..adults….ahum), you just can’t beat a quick trip up to the ski slopes or the tubing park at Snoqualmie Pass. A season’s pass for children ages 6 and under is only $69…..for the whole year. This is a great option from the value perspective, but also enables you to venture out for those quick trips, and you don’t have to stay all day to justify the cost of the lift ticket.
September 17th, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun
On our last weekend stay at Snoqualmie Pass we spent some time in nearby Suncadia. If you like Sun River, Oregon - but find that too far, Suncadia may be the place for you. There are a lot of similarities.
This is the lodge - my what a place and what a view.
September 2nd, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun
Who needs a fancy restaurant for great food. Here is a suggestion - Visit Easton and eat.
The word is out, just a few miles away in Easton are hamburgers like no other. Mountain High Hamburgers - our neighbor Barb swears by them as does this writer:
You cannot get a better burger. I love this place. The meat must be chopped sirloin, its just delicious. The milkshakes are everything you remember from your youth. Stop by, you will not be sorry and you will not be able to drive past it again without stopping. Please they did not pay me for this, I really mean it, and I am fussy as heck.”
August 22nd, 2008
Posted by Larry Cragun
The last 12 hours has had the blog waves in a fury over the 2 boys trapped in the ice cave. As they have been rescued and are recovering I thought you would find this interesting.
Whidbey Navy helicopter helps in ice cave rescue
Today, 11:49 AM · From http PNWLocalNews.com, click this link.
A search and rescue crew from NAS Whidbey Island assisted in yesterday’s rescue of two boys trapped under snow and ice on Snoqualmie Pass.
The five-person crew, made up of two pilots, two aviation warfare systems operators and one hospital corpsman, launched from the air station at 6:30 p.m. in Firewood 2, an MH-60S Knighthawk. After a short transit, they were on scene and made a few passes through the area to locate a safe area for pickup.
