Cle elum area - trail closure and grooming info

[Lake Cle Elum]

I've been out checking things out the last few days and talked to a local groomer last night. Info for those coming this way for the holidays.

Trail Closures:

1) The Micro-Wave tower area above Sky Meadow. The last few years, it was posted "Stay on the Trail" between the gates. People didn't. Will remain gated and not groomed this year. Access in and out of Sky Meadows will be via Buffalo Springs or East Gate. Big loss for those coming in from Elk Heights.

2) Logging from Elk Heights Sno-Park to just east of Sky Meadows, snow bladed off the road.

3) Logging down Barber Springs road and out past the S. Fork Manastash Sno-Park. Should be finished at the end of Dec; wait for more snow B4 grooming starts.

Grooming as of Dec. 23:

1) Groomer can't quite get to Woods & Steele Rd. because of the very steep hill on the ridge just east of where Woods & Steele hits the ridge-waiting for more snow. Is groomed up to that point.

2) Groomed down thru Shadow Creek and the 3350 Rd.

3) Will be groomed to Quartz Mtn later this week.

4) Groomers working right now on Salmon-La-Sac, Cooper and French Cabin.

(To the rider's that threw their "Miller Lite" cans on Skull Springs Rd between 10 and 12, Dec. 22: Even with the decease in my real estate and investments, I'm not to the point of picking up cans for gas money just yet. Take them out with you please.....)

 

[JETJOHNSO]

grooming, questions

Came from Whistlin jacks to easton reload snowpark via tri pod flats to buck meadows, than on to 5 corners and woods and steel, on friday the 19th. Nothing the entire way had been groomed yet, the gate at woods and steel was locked and no way to get around, Had to go down and ride some road to get to granite creek. Temp was below 0, the creek crossing west of granite creek was a night mare. First sled broke thru the center ice and got stuck. filled it up with water and had to be pulled out by about 7 or 8 guys. No legal way to get back to easton so we called for a ride and left the sleds at the west side intersection, went to the reload and got the trucks, One member has severe frost bite on his fingers. Can some one get the gate open at the woods and steel? that would have been nice although the river crossing still stopped us.,
thanks

 

[32nBelow]

Grooming started on the 19, in the Taneum /Manastash area surprised you didn't see it around 5 corners, the gate to Easton off the Woods @ Steel Road (4510) were opened on Sat when it was groomed. The route to Easton and Windy Pass is the only thing that has not been groomed there yet the USFS wanted more snow on the Easton route. Should be able to do it next week. The gates are not open on Windy Pass. Quartz Mnt (3100) was groomed last night (Dec23). The logging in Elk Height is all season, the logging out of Manastash is probably until end of Jan.

 

[NWGooser]

Great info guys. Thanks.