Central Washington State Buried Treasure

[KennyB]

You're into goats? Kin to Flexxx? Sheep and gotas are related, right?

Hey, I said my girlfriend, not my mistress... Besides she'd leave that goat in her dust. :P

[scorpio153D]

Hi guys, I am new here, but this one has got me interested, I will be heading out for it on Friday. Two questions however. Are the NF roads in the area, specifically 9712 passable by car (VW Jetta)? Also, are the fires out that way currently posing any danger to someone attempting this? Thanks

[Lost Cosmonaut]

Hi guys, I am new here, but this one has got me interested, I will be heading out for it on Friday. Two questions however. Are the NF roads in the area, specifically 9712 passable by car (VW Jetta)? Also, are the fires out that way currently posing any danger to someone attempting this? Thanks

I don't believe there are any fires in that region that are threatening the area.

9712 is bad but you might make it with a car if you aren't too afraid of potholes. Just beware, as you approach Haney Meadows (if you go that far), the road gets downright nasty.

For a car, coming up from Ellensburg is a much much better proposition. I'll let you figure out what roads those are

[scorpio153D]

Lost Cosmonaut,
Thanks for the advice, Ellensburg did seem like the best way, I think I will ditch the car near where the road turns to gravel in order to have a good full day hike in. That way I wont feel like I have to get in and out in one day and can do an overnight at the lake. It looks so awesome I believe I am going to want to spend some time there. Thanks, and good luck to any who try to get out there before I!

[Lost Cosmonaut]

I looked out at the ridge and I see some smoke plumes but I don't know exactly where they are in relation to the cache. It's mostly spot fires and they're saying they hope to have it completely contained tomorrow, so I wouldn't worry too much.

If you are going to camp, be aware that there is a complete burn ban in the county right now, no fires of any sort allowed even in normally approved places. I think the hiking jet burner type stoves might be OK, but I would call the fire department first.

[Skystorm Leather]

Coming up 9712 from the Wenatchee side after the last trail park the road turns to shit. In many spots I was in 4 low, so a car would be a no go. I will probably go down the pass next time and come in from the other side.

[scorpio153D]

I looked out at the ridge and I see some smoke plumes but I don't know exactly where they are in relation to the cache. It's mostly spot fires and they're saying they hope to have it completely contained tomorrow, so I wouldn't worry too much.
If you are going to camp, be aware that there is a complete burn ban in the county right now, no fires of any sort allowed even in normally approved places. I think the hiking jet burner type stoves might be OK, but I would call the fire department first.

Definitely noted, I will be using an MSR whisperilte stove, I am quite used to using it and do not foresee any danger with it even in this very dry situation.
Also, for everyones knowledge, here is the current MODIS map of the fire. I didnt get the measurement tool in the shot, but the tool indicated 5.96 miles from the site, so hopefully this will remain the offset and it will still be a safe hike Friday.

Wildfire Progression, 11 Sep.jpg

I trust that I am not violating any rules or the spirit of the game with this screenshot, since with the grid provided it is a simple matter for anyone to pull this up.

Coming up 9712 from the Wenatchee side after the last trail park the road turns to shit. In many spots I was in 4 low, so a car would be a no go. I will probably go down the pass next time and come in from the other side.

Thanks for the heads up, I have all but decided on my route and I will be coming in from the South via Ellensburg, leaving my car probably about 10 miles away. Are you planning on giving it another go this weekend? It would be neat to cross paths with another searcher.

[Lost Cosmonaut]

Just read in the local news that the rangers are considering closing the Table Mountain area due to the fires. I don't know if this directly affects the hide site but Table Mountain is pretty close, so if anyone heads up that way you might just give a call to the Cle Elum ranger station to make sure everything is OK. I don't want anyone getting fines or worse for heading up there when they shouldn't.

[Skystorm Leather]

Hmm, Well if while watching the news you see a midget with a junglas and and a maxped pack running like crazy that would probably be me.

[Lost Cosmonaut]

Here's the link.

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/free/...9bb2963f4.html

Has some contacts for info.

[Lost Cosmonaut]

Well that's that, looks like its going to be up there awhile.

http://inciweb.org/incident/article/3256/17154/

[Lost Cosmonaut]

Map illustrating the closures:



It looks like there are a few alternate ways that may be passable. The groomed trail on the east side appear to be open but that's a pretty long haul from Ellensburg.

[KennyB]

I can't tell because I'm on my phone right now, but it looks like one could still head out of South Wenatchee and go up Beehive/Liberty road?

[Lost Cosmonaut]

Liberty Beehive is 9712 which is the one marked closed that goes east/west on the map.

[KennyB]

Liberty Beehive is 9712 which is the one marked closed that goes east/west on the map.

Ahh darn was hoping maybe one could still take it until the Grouse Spring trail and go down that way.

Well at least it looks like I'll have a few more weeks to get some stuff together to go. :P