Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: dreamingbig on August 24, 2009, 08:19:23 AM

Title: Two new fires in Bumping have a few trails closed...
Post by: dreamingbig on August 24, 2009, 08:19:23 AM: "Thunderstorms that rolled across the Cascades sparked several fires over the past couple of weeks in the William O. Douglas Wilderness Area. Two fires are being managed for natural resource benefits; Shellrock Peak Fire is five miles north of U.S. Highway 12 and has been reported at 170 acres, and the Deep Creek Fire is burning in the Bumping drainage south of Forest Service Road 1808.

Due to the potential for increased fire activity, several Wilderness trails have been closed in the vicinity of the fires to provide for public safety. It is prohibited to use or be upon any of the following trails:
- Rattlesnake Trail No. 1114 – Beginning at the junction with the Shellrock Trail #1132 (T14N, R13E, Sec. 5) and continuing to the Indian Creek Trail #1105 (T14N, R12E, Sec 10).
- Indian Creek Trail No. 1105 - Beginning at the junction with Round Lake Trail No. 1105 (T14N, R12E, Sec. 4) and continuing north to the trail end at Forest Road 1808 (T15N, R12E, Sec. 29).
- Pear Butte Trail No. 979 - Beginning at the junction with Pear Loop Trail #1148 (T14N, R12E, Sec. 3) and continuing north to a point on the ridge where the Rattlesnake Creek drainage meets Pear Butte Trail #979 (T15N, R12E, Sec. 27).
- Ironstone Mountain Trail No. 1141 – Closed for its entire length.
- Wildcat Trail No. 1113 – Closed for its entire length.
- Bismarck Peak Trail No. 983 – Closed for its entire length.
- Little Wildcat Trail No. 1143 – Closed for its entire length.
- Shellrock Peak Trail No. 1132 – Closed for its entire length."

Here is a link to some info:
http://www.nachesvalleychamber.com/info/NRD-August09RecreationReport.doc (http://www.nachesvalleychamber.com/info/NRD-August09RecreationReport.doc)
Title: Re: Two new fires in Bumping have a few trails closed...
Post by: Crunchy on August 24, 2009, 08:29:58 AM: That really bites if its an area you have planned on hunting. We all need a good blast of some rain 911.
Title: Re: Two new fires in Bumping have a few trails closed...
Post by: bobcat on August 24, 2009, 08:47:15 AM: Yes that is going to mess up a lot of hunting plans. Should make for some good elk habitat though.
Title: Re: Two new fires in Bumping have a few trails closed...
Post by: huntingnut on August 24, 2009, 09:37:36 AM: My brother and I where just up there this weekend and didn't see any sign of smoke or fire. We hiked the pear lake loop trail and there where no signs of closure. We left from the Indian creek trail head off of White pass and there was no mention of any trail closure at the trail head. It would have been nice to know if there was a fire up there.
Title: Re: Two new fires in Bumping have a few trails closed...
Post by: mrtinmatt on August 24, 2009, 08:55:29 PM: I drove over there this weekend to camp at deep creek and hike into twin sisters. no luck road washed out and trails closed. notice posted said nothing about fire but said anyone in closed zone would be fined $10000. I didn't want to scout that bad. Hope they get the roads fixed soon though.
Title: Re: Two new fires in Bumping have a few trails closed...
Post by: boneaddict on August 24, 2009, 09:00:31 PM: putting up a plume of smoke at the moment
Title: Re: Two new fires in Bumping have a few trails closed...
Post by: Matt on August 25, 2009, 07:18:16 AM: Quote from: mrtinmatt on August 24, 2009, 08:55:29 PM
I drove over there this weekend to camp at deep creek and hike into twin sisters. no luck road washed out and trails closed. notice posted said nothing about fire but said anyone in closed zone would be fined $10000. I didn't want to scout that bad. Hope they get the roads fixed soon though.

That road has been washed out for years. No it will not get fixed anytime in the next few years. No money.
Title: Re: Two new fires in Bumping have a few trails closed...
Post by: dreamingbig on August 25, 2009, 01:06:25 PM: From the Naches Ranger Station's website...

"DEEP CREEK ROAD (Forest Service Road No. 1808) UPDATE: Grant funds have been acquired to construct a temporary bridge over a washout on this popular road leading to Twin Sisters Trailhead. Construction will begin in 2010. Users are reminded that Deep Creek Road No. 1808 and Bumping Lake Road No.1800 are closed at their junction. People have been tearing down the signs and entering the area illegally with motorized vehicles. Road No.1800 to Granite Lake and Fish Lake/Swamp Lake trailheads will remain as is until funding can be appropriate for the initial design and construction."
Title: Re: Two new fires in Bumping have a few trails closed...
Post by: halflife65 on August 25, 2009, 09:11:13 PM: Actually, that kind of sucks. I liked the road being out - it's an easy walk in but still keeps some of the people out. I walked out to Twin Sisters, down through Blankenship and over to Apple and Pear lake this summer. Great hike and, after seeing two people at Twin Sisters, I didn't see another person for 1 3/4 days. I had the whole place to myself. I was digging the fact that the road was washed out and adding a few more miles.
Title: Re: Two new fires in Bumping have a few trails closed...
Post by: dreamingbig on August 25, 2009, 10:41:28 PM: I would agree. I don't mind the road being washed out either. Maybe the grant will fall through!
Title: Re: Two new fires in Bumping have a few trails closed...
Post by: Matt on August 26, 2009, 08:23:56 AM: After talking to the contact guy at the FS it is clear as mud what is open up there. The map shows most everything from dog lake up to Deep Creek closed. But the signs at the Indian Meadows trail head says that you cannot go more than 300 feet east of that trail from the south. Who knows, they don't.