KUOW Hike- Granite Creek/Lakes

Issued: Tuesday 2-14-2012
For later on Tuesday chance of some snow at at Snoq Pass area at 2000 feet with about 1 to 3 inches of new snow. Wednesday 2-15-2012 should be partly sunny at Snoq Pass.

This road hike is north and east of North Bend and the start of the walk is just past the trail to Mailbox. There is just patchy snow for the first 2.5 miles, thus now snowshoes are needed. This road follows Granite Creek and ends up at Granite Lakes.
Photo below is view from the road, photo by Karen Sykes
Photo below is view from road looking toward north and east, photo by Karen Sykes
Photo below is hiker on road with patchy snow at 2.5 miles in no snowshoes, photo by Karen Sykes
Photo below is Granite Creek, photo by Karen Sykes
Driving Directions: Drive east on I-90 to exit 34 (Edgewick Road). Then you turn left (north) onto 468th Street and follow it to the junction with the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road (FS 56). Turn right and continue up the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road about 3 miles you will find a gated road on the right. Park here but do not block gate. You will need a Discover Pass.
Trail Stats: Start at about 800 feet and all the way to the Lake is 5.5 miles one way and 2500 foot gain. However most people just hike 2.5 miles one way and minimal elevation gain and you do not need snowshoes.
Track to Granite Lake thanks to Dennis Long

Trail stats and directions are the best estimates so please bring map and compass and or GPS for precise directions.
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Weather Cascades extended

Issued 2-8-2012
Forecast models suggest a return to cool and wet pattern as we move toward the middle of February and more precisely 2-18-2012

KUOW Hike - Clay Creek

Updated 2-7-2012
Just east of Enumclaw this road walk just has patchy snow and you get views of Mt. Rainier.
Tuesday will be a great day to view Mt. Rainier from this road under mostly sunny and breezy conditions. Chance of light showers for Wednesday and early Thursday. Perhaps Thursday afternoon will be dry with some good views.

Photo below is view of White River from our snack break spot, photo by Alan Bauer

Photo below is hikers on road at about 2600 feet just patchy snow, photo by Alan Bauer
Photo below is view of Mt. Rainier, Photo by Michael Fagin

Photo below is the starting point of this gated road walk Forest Service Rd. 6208, photo by Michael Fagin

Driving Directions: From Enumclaw drive on State Highway 410 east drive past milepost marker 36 and park on the left and look for sign that says road 6208. The start of this is before you get to the small town of Greenwater.

Trail Directions and Track of the hike (thanks Dennis Long)Just follow the main road 6208 and you can go up to 5.5 miles one way to 2800 which is a 1400 foot gain. However you can hike less and still get great view.s

Always bring map and compass and or GPS as these directions are the best estimates.
Also you need a permit from Hancock to access this.

Weather forecast Cascades- Extended

Issued: 2-1-2012
Starting on Thursday 2-2-2012 forecast models indicate a upper level ridge of high pressure that builds and remains over the region through at least Monday 2-6-2012. So dry conditions will be the rule. However the models are split after that as some want to keep the ridge of high pressure in place for dry conditions through 2-15-2012. However some other models want to break down the ridge of high by 2-8-2012 or 2-9-2012 for a return for wet conditions. Stay tuned
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KUOW - Ski & Snowshoe Trip of the week

Issued Tuesday 1-31-2012
Snow at about 3000 feet for later Tuesday and early Wednesday with 3 to 6 inches of new snow at Snoq Pass. Then a dry pattern from Thursday through Friday and just a slight chance of a shower late on Friday and Saturday.
Destination: Kendall Peak Viewpoint near Snoqualmie Pass
Photo below is skier headed up towards Kendall Peak viewpoint , photo by Michael Fagin

Photo below are some of the views on the way to Kendall Peak Viewpoint, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is of Keechelus Lake taken from viewpoint, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is of Kendall Peak taken from viewpoint, photo by Michael Fagin

Driving directions: From Seattle take Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass to exit 54. Exit I-90, turn left, and cross under the freeway to reach the Gold Creek Sno-Park.
Trail Stats: Viewpoint is before the Kendall Lakes on a small logging spur to the right (south). High point is about 4000 feet and 7 miles roundtrip and a 1600 foot gain.
Trail directions are estimates so please take map and compass and or GPS
Trail Route- Thanks to Randy
http:// http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/fullscreen/66418846/

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Weather Northwest February 2012

Issued: 1-25-2012
Some of the forecast models are suggesting that the Northwest gets an upper level ridge of high pressure that builds at times over the next 10 days. The 500 mb map below (18,000 foot level) confirms that. If this pattern verifies the Washington Cascades can be looking at average to below average precipitation starting this Friday 1-27-2012 through 2-4-2012. However just lower to medium confidence in this forecast.

Weather Forecast Washington Cascades

Issued 1-18-2012
Extended forecast keeps the cool and wet pattern in place for the Washington Cascades. So above average snowfall will be the theme. The map below (500 mb at 18,000 feet) shows a trough of low pressure off the Washington Coast and this will keep the cool and wet pattern in place through January 27, 2012