Yellowjacket Update

We were hopeful that more snow could help with the Yellowjacket trail but unfortunately there is just too much damage from the atmospheric river earlier in the season.  We will not groom this trail this season. We understand the Forest Service will work to restore it for next year. Here are a few more pictures of the trail or where it should be.
 

1/26 Grooming Report

 

We attempted to open and groom Yellowjacket today but this was the end of the trail for now.  A big thank you to MVSA club members and the FS crew for helping cut wood!  We were able to clear the trees in the switchback and several other trees before we came to the multiple areas of complete ice coverage. This trail has many areas with water, ice, mud and rocks in the lower section(see pictures below).  Unfortunately, the Yellowjacket trail will need to get significant new snow before we can attempt this again.

1/22 Grooming Report

 

Removing moguls on lower Harts Pass.  We also groomed Hwy 20 this chilly morning with a temperature of 4° at Cutthroat. The Harts Pass trail to Ballard has 2 washout/slide areas and 1 area that has had water in the trail but is now frozen with patchy snow. The snow is thin which prohibits completely removing the moguls, so we anticipate they will be back soon.  We just need more snow!

1/21 Grooming Report

 

Beautiful chilly 11° morning on the way to Buck Lake. Tree removal was completed today on the Sherwood Forest Loop.  A big thanks to Methow Valley Snowmobile Club members for cutting the trees. 

There has been lots of water on this section of trail. Most of it is frozen now but will return with warmer temperatures. Be careful crossing Ortell Creek, it is currently running a lot of water for this time of year and there is not enough snow for a snow bridge. 

We also groomed from Eightmile to Sweetgrass today.  The trail is holding up well.  The drifts on top are still a little bumpy.  Even Sweetgrass needs more snow!

Trees

More

MVSA cutting trees

Sherwood Forest

Water Crossing

Cub Pass

Sweetgrass

1/20 Grooming Report

 

Today we groomed W. Buttermilk Rd to Black Pine Lake, Poorman Creek, Libby Creek and to Foggy Dew. Temperatures were 12° at the start. We removed 15 trees and several rocks from the trails. The snow is light at lower elevations and a little better higher up.  There is dirt showing on the trail in Poorman Creek. This trail will not be groomed again until we receive more snow. 

Black Pine Lake

Black Pine Lake

Wheeled Vehicles in Libby Creek

Libby Creek

Between Libby Crk and Gold Crk

Poorman Creek

1/20 Grooming Report

Today we groomed West Buttermilk to Black Pine Lake, Libby Creek, Foggy Dew and Poorman Creek. The starting temperature this morning was 12°.  Snow depth varied with a little more on top. We removed several trees and rocks from the trail.  

It's a nice ride right now but needs more snow!

 

1/18 Trail Condition Update

 

Tree removal is continuing with more scheduled for this week. Most of our trails need more snow before we can groom them again. Hopefully the predicted snow later this week will give us what we need.

Boulder SP – Groomed on 1/2 to Roger Lake Y.  Low snow depth of 6” – 8”.  Not enough snow to build the berm from the snopark to the trailhead or to fill the cattle guards. The county was scheduled to groom over Lone Frank to Roger Lake on 1/7.

Cub Creek TH(new) – 1/10 groomed to Sweetgrass.

Eightmile SP - 

            Eightmile to Sweetgrass  – Groomed on 1/10.  There has been water over the road and it has narrowed the road in the Ortell area.  Sherwood Forest has trees down and is scheduled for clearing on 1/21.

            Cub Pass & Banker Pass – are open and groomed.

            Chewuch Loop – Groomed on 1/9 low snow depth. Trees were removed and trail was groomed. The creek crossing is not frozen over and there is water flowing.

Goat Creek SP – The lower section was groomed on 1/15 after the propane haul to Flagg Mountain.  The snow is very thin on the lower section and we were not able to fully remove the moguls. Water is continuing to flow on the road in several places. Whiteface Creek has created a large ravine that is now covered with a snow bridge – ride with caution in this area.

Silver Star SP – Groomed 1/15 and scheduled for 1/22

Twisp River Area – Groomed 1/16. Tree removal is complete on the North side of the river. There is one large pine tree partially blocking the trail, water on the road and a washed-out culvert on the North side.  The crew ran into a couple areas of slides, washouts and big rocks on the South side of the river making it impassable after the War Creek bridge.

            Poorman Creek TH – Scheduled for tree removal and grooming on 1/20 to Black Pine Lake and W. Buttermilk Rd.

Yellow Jacket SP – Not groomed.  Good snow depth has been reported along with lots of trees down in the trail. The second hairpin above the Snopark has 8-10 large trees across the road. These will block the path for the groomer. There is a decent sled-only bypass however.

            Harts Pass – Scheduled for grooming on 1/22 to Ballard. Reports of slides and washout between Robinson and Monument trails and again at Cache Creek.  Trail is challenging but passable with enough snow. 

1/16 Grooming Report

Twisp River received extensive damage from the atmospheric river storms last month.  There were over a hundred trees down and several washout areas on this trail which has made the South side impassable above the War Creek bridge. 

We have completed the tree removal and groomed the trail from the snopark to the War Creek bridge on the South side and then up the North side to Gilbert Trailhead.  

Ride with caution, there is still a large pine tree blocking part of the trail, water/mud on the road and a washed out culvert(see picture below) that extends well into the trail.
 

Washed out culvert in the trail

Flagged Culvert

1/15 Grooming Report

 

Groomed Goat Creek today after the propane haul earlier in the week.  The snow is too thin to remove the moguls in the lower sections. There is good snow on top. We made it a short distance toward Yellowjacket Pass but came across a large tree that will have to wait for another day. Sleds are able to pass but not the groomer.

There are several areas with water on the trail and the snow has turned to mud. See pictures below.

1/11 Grooming Report

 

We groomed Goat Creek today to Blackpine Hut and Whiteface. There was light snow falling this morning and temperatures were cold to start but warmed up to 33° by mid morning. The snow conditions are thin at lower elevations with dirt and water showing in the trail. Snow depth is good at higher elevations and the trail there is in great shape. 

Reminder: Okanogan County Energy is doing several propane hauls to Flagg Mtn on Monday and Tuesday 1/12-1/13.

Currently the snow bridge is holding however are expecting warmer temperatures and a possibility of rain early in the week. Please ride with caution in this area.