Ipsut Creek Flood Damage

With the Fall of 2006 being one of the wettest on record, it was little surprise to start to here reports of trails being in pretty bad condition. There are many road and trail washouts that are going to make things a little more difficult to access some of the popular areas in the Cascades. We've compiled a list of links of some of the popular areas so you can check on trail status information as it's updated. Here at WeekendClimber.Com we believe in giving back, so every year we volunteer to help maintain trails and climbing areas. We hope you consider doing the same.

Back in 2003 the Mountain Loop Highway north of Barlow Pass was seriously damaged due to washouts caused by the Sauk River. The following message was issued by the District Ranger Phyllis Reed and it now appears that they have a plan in place for repairing the damaged roadway. Their EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) has been completed and if there are no appeals then everything will proceed as planned.

Tieton is a great place to climb when the weather is less than favorable on the west side of the Cascade Range. I ran across the following information from the Washington Climbers Coalition (WCC) webpage which affects climbing in the area for the spring climbing season. Make sure to read it thoroughly before heading out there and remember to respect the closures of the areas mentioned. I basically copied this message from a post that WCC member Andy Fitz made after receiving a voice message from John McGowan, the land manager for the Oak Creek Wildlife Area.

From Congressman Blumenauer and Greg Walden or Oregon:

If you have not been paying close attention to what has been going on in Congress recently, as I have not, you were probably aware that the Fee Demo Program has now been superceded. On November 21, 2004 during the 108th Congressional Conference, U.S. Representative Ralph Regula (R-Ohio) slipped the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancment Act into the omnibus appropriations bill. This effectively made the Fee Demo Program a permanent part of life for hikers, bikers, climbers, and all other users of public lands. It unfortunately another blatant example of how the democratic process can easily be manipulated or made outright ineffective.

The opposition to the Fee Demo Program has steadily gained momentum ever since the initiation of it in 1996 as a two year rider on that years appropriations bill. Currently, there are two states, Colorado and Montana, that have already passed their own resolutions opposing the fees. In particular, Colorado's resolution outlines in scathing terminology the double dealing that the federal government has been doing. Underscoring this most haneous attempt at double taxation is the fact that the U.S. Reprensentative whom add the provision to the appropriations bill does not even have any federal public lands in the district he supposedly represents.

You can check out Colorado's resolution and help the grassroots effort to get this repealed in all states by signing the petition directed at George Bush.

To the splendor of all Washington climbers, the Sam Hill Acquisition will go through will more than enough funding to cover the purchase price of $226,000. This will help to preserve the Sam Hill, Ski Tracks Crack, The Underhill, Trundle Dome, Whoopsie Pillar, and the classic Fridge Boulder climbing crags for future enjoyment by all user groups. There is still money needed for the stewardship endowment needed to fund the normal cost associated with this type of purchase, but the deal sounds like it will be final sometime next week. Thanks to the many responses and donations from communities like cascadeclimbers.com, another great climbing area is now going to be preserved. You can still help contribute needed funds using the information below:

Kristin Newman ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
The Trust for Public Land
(541) 382-2092

Andy Fitz ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Washington Climbers Coalition
(253) 761-7866

Currently, the nationally renowned nonprofit organization, Trust for Public Land (TPL), has been busy as the deadline approaches to purchase a 40 acre site in the Icicle Creek Drainage. This little plot of land holds such crags as Sam Hill, Ski Tracks Crack, The Underhill, Trundle Dome, Whoopsie Pillar, and the classic Fridge Boulder. You can read the flyer the they have put out to help to promote private interest in the purchase, and they need help raising the final $8500 to be able to make the purchase. You can also check out the latest amounts collected from the forum posts on www.cascadeclimbers.com, and alls they are asking is for us all to chip in a measly $25. Make your donations as soon as possible to:

Or you could print off the flyer from www.washingtonclimbers.org

For more information please contact:

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Beacon Rock State Park: Restriction affects the south face of Beacon Rock and is in effect from Feb. 1 to July 15. Contact: Ranger, State Park Manager Tel: 509.427.8265.

Midnight and Noontime Rocks and Vicinity: Okanogan—Wenatchee National Forest Closed to entry April 1 to July 31 to Protect Nesting Raptors. Raptors have been observed on and between Midnight and Noontime Rocks. During the nesting period, the site will be monitored and if conditions warrant, some restrictions may be lifted. Contact: Okanogan—Wenatchee National Forests, Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth Ranger Districts 509.548.6977.

Tieton River: Oakcreek Wildlife Area. Area—wide closures go into effect February 1 to April 1. Once it‘s determined where raptors are nesting, site specific closures will be posted. Sites with active nesting will be closed through July 31. Contact: John Mcgowan, Area Manager Tel: 509.653.2390.