Weather Washington Cascasdes- Extended

Issued June 19, 2013

Forecast models continue the pattern of a trough of low pressure moving in and out of the region through July 2. So temperatures tend to run normal to below normal with above normal precipitation. Remember, summer patterns (dry) usually set in after July 4.

500 mb map at 18,000' - average position

KUOW Hike- Packwood Lake

Update Tuesday June 18, 2013
Prefect hike rain or shine and you can drive to this trailhead. This is south of Mt. Rainier off Highway 12 near town of Packwood. Thanks to Dennis Long for some of the photos.

Packwood Lake with Johnson Peak in background @ Dennis Long

Bring your Green Trails Maps- One of the 10 essentials






Check out map 302  for this hike

Hike in forest canopy stay somewhat dry if rain

Old guard station

Guard station is old!!!

Take a walk across bridge near Lake @ Dennis Long

Zoom view  Johnson @ Dennis Long


Mt Rainier

Driving directions: From Packwood, follow U.S. Highway 12 to the east end of town and turn south-east onto Forest Road 1262 and continue for 6 miles to the trailhead parking lot. You can always call the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Randle office for road updates 360-497-1100
Trail stats: Roundtrip 10 miles with 600 foot gain and high point of 3200 feet. Please take map-compass-GPS as the trail information is out best estimate.


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Washington Weather Cascades- Extended

Updated: June 12, 2013

For the period now through June 22 models show troughs of low pressure that move in and out of the area and with this pattern we can expect above normal precipitation and below normal temperatures .

KUOW Hike of the Week -Umtanum Ridge

Update Tuesday June 11
The drive to the trailhead is about 1.5 hour from Bellevue and it is in the Yakima River Canyon. Thanks to Maria Lamarca Anderson for some of the photos.

Soaring Birds-Mt Stuart and Wind Farms- One can see for miles

Bring your Green Trails Maps- One of the 10 essentials

Check out maps. Sorry no map for this hike 

Nice view of Yakima River @ Maria Lamarca Anderson

Maria, the happy hiker on bridge over Yakima River

Lots of flowers still out

More flowers

Grinding up the hill - view of Yakima River

Yes there are snakes, we did not stay to see what type this was

So many flowers! @Maria Lamarca Anderson

Clean desert air and blue sky @ Maria Larmarca Anderson

Driving directions: From Seattle, drive east on Interstate 90 to exit 110. After exiting, continue east on Interstate 82 about 3.5 miles to exit 3 (Thrall Road). At the stop sign, turn right on State Route 821. Turn left at the next stop sign to continue southeast along State Route 821 into Yakima Canyon (signed "Yakima Canyon") and continue about 8 miles to the Umtanum Recreation Area (between mileposts 16 and 17). A large gravel parking lot is on the right  side of the road. The parking lot is BLM you must pay $5.00 from 5/15 - 9/15 to park; fee collection box is at the parking lot.

Trail stats: Cross the Yakima River via the broad foot-traffic-only suspension bridge, then cross the high berm of the railroad tracks. Once over the railroad route, enter the L. T. Murray State Wildlife Recreation Area.. In less then a 1/4 mile there will be a "Y" junction in the trail. Take the left fork this goes uphill. The right fork goes through the Creek Canyon. 2.5 miles and 2100 feet you will be up on the ridge on Yakima Skyline Trail

Map of area South LT Murray  Depart of Fish and Wildlife

Rattlesnakes- What to do - Thanks WTA
http:// http://www.wta.org/signpost/how-to-hike-in-rattlesnake-country >

Weather Washington Cascades - Extended

Updated June 7,2013
Starting next week forecast models are showing a weak trough of low pressure off our coast at times. This would chance of showers at times. Thus temperatures near to slightly below normal. Precipitation near normal or slightly above normal

500 mb (18,000 feet) for June 16

KUOW Hike of the Week- Easton Ridge

Updated June 4, 2013

This hike is off of I-90 and is about 15 miles east of Snoq Pass and is snowfree  and has lots of wildflowers- NOW. Thanks to Karen Sykes and Dennis Long for photos.

View of Mt Stuart from ridge top

Bring your Green Trails Maps- One of the 10 essentials

Check out maps. This hike number 208

Chocolate Lily, look do not eat @Karen Sykes

Calypso Orchids @Karen Sykes

Lined up for lunch @Dennis Long

Lake Kachess @Dennis Long

Lake Cle Elum

Directions: From Seattle drive I-90 east and get off at Exit 70. Proceed over the freeway and turn left onto frontage road (signed Kachess Dam Road), continue to Forest Service Road No. 4818 and then turn right. Stay on Road No. 4818 for about one mile to an unsigned road junction, turn right. One landmark is the road you are turning onto has a tree with an orange diamond reflector on it. Continue to about 1/4 mile to the trailhead, elevation 2,400 feet (it is also the trailhead for Kachess Ridge). For Easton Ridge turn right on a path to Silver Creek, a few paces upstream you’ll find the bridge.

Trail stats From the trailhead to the rocky outcroppings on the ridge crest it is approximately 7 miles round-trip with about 1,700-1,900 feet elevation gain. High point is at about 4500 feet. Driving directions and trail stats by Karen Sykes



The Ten Essentials are items The Mountaineers recommends everyone carry on all trips.

1. Navigation (map & compass)
2. Sun Protection (sun glasses, sun screen, lip balm)
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination (flashlight or headlamp, spare bulb & batteries)
5. First-Aid Supplies (gauze, tape, etc.)
6. Fire (firestarter, matches, lighter)
7. Repair Kit (knife, duct tape, tools, spare parts)
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water, water purification)
10. Emergency Shelter (tarp, garbage bag)

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Weather Washington Cascades- Extended

Issued May 29, 2013

Forecast models are starting to suggest a ridge of high pressure starts to build in from the south during the first week of June. The June 7 map below shows this ridge. Although lower confidence in this forecast it is still possible. If this does build then above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation would be in the forecast.

500 mb map -18,000 feet