What's going on at Cabin Creek?
We get it: the snow is falling, the grooming season is set to begin on Sunday, it's been a long wait since April and you can't wait to get back on the trails at Cabin Creek. We feel the same way! And this, my friends, is not what we want to see right now:
What's this?? Well, Forterra is the land owner of the property at the north end of the road, from the four-way intersection to the Lake Kachess road, and they are logging. As soon as we heard about this activity, Rune tracked down a contact at Forterra and after many emails with them, consultation with Nick, and finally a phone call yesterday, here is what we know:
Yes, they have a permit that runs until 12/31/2025 (not 2024), and their stated intention is to clear out diseased trees to "improve long-term forest health and resiliency and reduce fire risk." Hey, we're on board with that, but, um, why does it have to happen during ski season?
In his conversations with Forterra, Rune found out several things. One, Forterra was not aware that recreational activity happens on that road in the winter (someone didn't check the appropriate box in the permit application). Once they learned that, they thought it wouldn't be a big problem because it's only half the road, and Amabilis and the Berg and Viking loops are unaffected. Rune explained to them that the road is hugely popular and heavily used (the entire length of it) all winter long by skiers who don't want to tackle the hillier loops, and especially in the early season when the snow cover is better there.
Forterra also thought that there wouldn't be that much damage to the road; the logging trucks would just pack down the snow. But Rune quickly disabused them of that idea: trucks driving on the snow are pulling up rocks and gravel and mixing it with the snow, making it ungroomable and unskiable. Forterra says they will be off the road by 12/13 (of this year), and if they are, then Nick will have to scrape the road down to the dirt to get rid of the snow/gravel mix, then wait for another good snowstorm to start packing a base before he can start actually grooming.
One other thing: Rune explained how the USFS allows the road to be closed to vehicles on 12/1, and Nick normally builds a big snow berm at each end of the road to keep the snowmobiles and four-wheelers off. Obviously that can't happen now at the north end of the road, so Forterra said they could drop some logs on the road just north of the four-way intersection to act as a blockade while they're doing their work. They'll remove them when they leave, and then Nick can build a berm.
So ... not what we want to hear right now, but facts are facts. Note: KSC is not planning to serve as a conduit in this matter between Forterra and the skiing public. The above is all we know; if you have questions or comments, you are encouraged to contact Forterra directly.
Here is the official report from Forterra:
Winter Logging Taking Place Near Cabin Creek Sno-Park May Affect a Portion of Groomed XC Ski Route in December
Cross country skiers looking for early season opportunities on the east side of Snoqualmie Pass should be aware of private logging activities for permitted conservation thinning that are taking place in the vicinity of the #4826 Cascade Road, also known as “The Road”, which makes up part of the Cabin Creek groomed cross-country ski-trail system located on the north side of the Cabin Creek Sno-Park at Exit 63 off Interstate-90.
Recreationists are asked to stay clear of log felling and loading and hauling operations throughout the operation period. The thinning work is expected to conclude by December 15, if weather conditions allow.
All cooperators are trying to minimize disruption for cross country skiers. The logging truck haul route does not affect the southernmost ¼-mile section of the #4826 road and groomed route where it crosses Forest Service ownership. Also not affected by the haul route is the #4822 Amabilis Road. Winter grooming on those portions can go ahead as usual as snow conditions allow.
The Winter Recreation Program at Washington State Parks coordinates and manages Sno-Parks across the state and in partnership with federal agencies, private landowners, and other state/county agencies. The contracted winter grooming of cross-country ski trails in this area usually runs from early December thru March, depending on snow conditions and other factors.
|
Comments
Post a Comment