Current Conditions
Weather Forecasts
Check the National Weather Service forecast using the form below.
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Okanogan-Wenatchee NF Information on:
NEW
Smokejumper Video
Smokejumpers made over 200 jumps on remote, lightning-caused fires on the Okanogan-Wenatchee NF this summer. Ever wonder what it looks like to jump out of a plane?
Here's a short VIDEO of practice jumps filmed by crew from North Cascades Smokejumper Base. [Windows Media format: 5 mb]
Road Conditions
For current forest road conditions, contact the Ranger District offices
For state highway conditions, check the Washington State Department of Transportation website or call the Travel Info line: 511
Vandalism and Thefts – Forest Users Beware!
Fire Update
Trail Closures:
October 7 -- Entiat Road and Trail Closures for Public Safety
October 3 -Beehive Reservoir Roads Temporarily Closed
Cle Elum RD -- August 28 -- An emergency closure order is now in place for the trails within the proximity of the Lemah Fire, a lightning caused wildland fire which started on July 25, 2009 in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Cle Elum Ranger District.
This closure is necessary for public safety. It is prudent to close the trails until the wildfire has moved through the trail areas and the area is deemed safe for public travel.
The closure is for the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 from the Mineral Creek Trail #1331 to the trail junction with Lemah Meadows Trail; and Pete Lake Trail #1323 from the junction with Lemah Meadows Trail #1323.2 to the junction of the Pacific Crest Trail #2000. See MAP and map of reroute options
Chelan RD - As a precaution, fire managers closed the Company Creek Trail #1243 on August 26, 2009, due to the Sable Fire’s proximity to the trail and the trail’s remote location.
Due to lightning-caused fires, the Pacific Crest Trail is closed at its junction with the Pete Lake Trail # 1323 and Lemah Meadows Trail 1323.2. The bypass for people traveling the Pacific Crest Trail #2000
uses the Pete Lake Trail #1323 and the Lemah Meadows Trail 1323.2. The bypass parallels the PCT and does not add any significant distance. See News Release
Deception Pass Trail 1376:
Due to construction of new puncheon bridges on the Deception Pass Trail 1376 along Hyas lakeshore, that trail will be passable to stock up to Lower Hyas Lake only and impassable to stock beyond that point from July 19 to August 1, 2009. There are no viable detours around the construction zone for stock, but hikers will still be able to get through. Hikers can expect occasional short delays while the construction zone is made safe for them to walk through.
This project is made possible by a grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) and is a joint operation of the U.S. Forest Service and the Washington Trails Association. The new puncheon bridge will replace an aging and increasingly dangerous structure on the trail near upper Hyas Lake.
Please call the Cle Elum Ranger Station at 509-852-1011 for the latest news and status of this project.
The public’s cooperation in this trail improvement project is greatly appreciated.
The bridge over Box Canyon Creek on the Little Kachess Trail # 1312 is gone. SEE PHOTO. After 20-some years, the expertly-crafted Little Kachess trail bridge over Box Canyon Creek is no more. It was built by the SCA many years ago and is was a masterpiece of all-native-wood construction - no treated wood, nails, bolts, or other hardware. Unfortunately, this was also its downfall. It had rotted to the point that it was no longer safe, and with a little help, last week it took its place as large woody debris in Box Canyon Creek. This means there is presently no way to access Little Kachess trail from Kachess Campground. When the lake goes down, we will see if we can find a suitable ford, but in the meantime, don't plan to hike that trail. There is also an advisory sign at the upper end of this trail at its junction with Mineral Creek Trail.
The trail bridge across the south fork of Lemah Creek on the PCT is gone (completely - can't find it), another victim of the last flood. This bridge was located on the Pacific Crest Trail between Lemah meadows and Spectacle Lake, approximately 20 miles north of Snoqualmie Pass. The good news is, there's a pretty decent detour. Coming from the north, just past Lemah Meadows, take the Lemah Meadows trail down to the Pete Lake trail, ford Lemah Creek or cross on a log, then follow Pete Lake trail back to the PCT. This is only a problem in the early season when Lemah Creek is rushing. We will sign it on the ground.
Campground Closures:
September - Many campgrounds are closed or will be closing in the next few weeks. Contact Ranger Stations directly for updates.
Road Closures:
Many forest roads have been gated closed for the winter season or will be soon. Check with Ranger District office for updates or check the Recreation Report
October 13 -- Highway 410 Closure
October 7 -- Entiat Road and Trail Closures for Public Safety
October 3 -Beehive Reservoir Roads Temporarily Closed
Naches Ranger District -
Roads #1800 and #1808: Access to Granite Lake, Fish Lake, Lily Lake, Root Lake, Swamp Lake, and Cougar Lake via Forest Service Road #1800 is closed due to a washout approximately a quarter mile past the junction with Deep Creek Road #1808.
Forest Service road #1808 is closed at the Mt. Aix trailhead. Due to limited parking at the trailhead stock users need to unload and park near the junction with the 1800 road.
Flood Update
Campfire Restrictions
Industrial Fire Precaution Level
Pacific Crest Trail
- Pacific Crest Trail Flood Damage and Trail Detour [Glacier Peak Wilderness section]
- The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) between Cathedral and Deception Pass is not recommended for hikers due to flood damage and it is impassable to stock. The stretch of PCT between Deception Pass and Cathedral Pass remains impassable to stock due to continued washing of the Mt. Daniel Ford. Horsemen can, however, easily bypass this section via the Deception Pass Trail and Cathedral Pass Trail. The PCT has not been maintained from Waptus Lake south to I-90. Hikers can expect snow in the higher elevations, and flood damage and numerous logs and other debris on the trail. Ice axes are still advised at this time. The Pacific Crest Trail south of Snoqualmie Pass has been maintained to near Snowshoe Butte.
- The Pacific Crest Trail is (once again) impassable to stock between Snoqualmie Pass and Park lakes. The heavy rains last fall sluiced out a number of small drainages, resulting in a series of washouts, in some cases up to six feet deep. Hikers can cross them with care, but stock, unfortunately, cannot. We do plan to repair this section, but due to heavy blowdown and trail damage throughout the District, we may not get this done in 2007.
PACK and SADDLE STOCK:
Weed-free feed requirements
For other trail closures and information, see the current Recreation Report
