Issued 12-28-2011
Forecast models out to January 10, 2012 are indicating above average temperatures and above average precipitation. Basically the Northwest will be in a westerly flow and this will bring in weather systems and associated precipitation on and off over the first 10 days of the year. Also this will bring higher freezing levels at times above 5000 feet.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
KUOW: Hike of the Week- Poo Poo Point
Updated 12-23-2011
Poo Poo Point
This is just several miles south of Issaquah. Driest day on a relative basis will be Friday (12-23) and Saturday (12-24) probably afternoon. Mostly cloudy this weekend so views will be somewhat limited. Rumor has it that "poo poo” sound made by loggers' steam whistles.
Photo below is view of Mt. Rainier from the top of Poo Poo point photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is view of the Olympics from the top, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is view of Lake Sammamish, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is paraglider enjoying the views and the ride, photo below by Michael Fagin
Directions to Trail:Take I-90 to Issaquah, take Front Street exit. Follow Front Street through town for about 3 miles. Front street becomes Hobart-Issaquah Road. If you are driving south the trailhead is on the left (east side of the street) near a big grass field.
Trail stats: 4 miles round trip with about 2000 foot gain
Poo Poo Point
This is just several miles south of Issaquah. Driest day on a relative basis will be Friday (12-23) and Saturday (12-24) probably afternoon. Mostly cloudy this weekend so views will be somewhat limited. Rumor has it that "poo poo” sound made by loggers' steam whistles.
Photo below is view of Mt. Rainier from the top of Poo Poo point photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is view of the Olympics from the top, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is view of Lake Sammamish, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is paraglider enjoying the views and the ride, photo below by Michael Fagin
Directions to Trail:Take I-90 to Issaquah, take Front Street exit. Follow Front Street through town for about 3 miles. Front street becomes Hobart-Issaquah Road. If you are driving south the trailhead is on the left (east side of the street) near a big grass field.
Trail stats: 4 miles round trip with about 2000 foot gain
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Weather Washington Cascades Exteneded
Updated 12-21-2011.
Starting this weekend and continuing for much of next week the weather patterns will change. The ridge of high pressure that has been bringing the relatively dry pattern for much of December will shift out of the region. The new pattern that we will get is a zonal flow westerly flow which will bring moisture in and out of the region. With this pattern above normal precipitation and snowfall will be the pattern towards the end of December. The map below (500 mb- 18,000 feet) indicates this. This map is for the period 12-28-2011 through 1-3-2012
Starting this weekend and continuing for much of next week the weather patterns will change. The ridge of high pressure that has been bringing the relatively dry pattern for much of December will shift out of the region. The new pattern that we will get is a zonal flow westerly flow which will bring moisture in and out of the region. With this pattern above normal precipitation and snowfall will be the pattern towards the end of December. The map below (500 mb- 18,000 feet) indicates this. This map is for the period 12-28-2011 through 1-3-2012
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Weather Washington Cascades
Issued Tuesday 12-13-2011
Forecast models continue to bring a ridge of high pressure at times over Washington state. See map below which is the average position of the 500 mb (about 18,000 feet). This is for the period 12-18 to 12-22 and indicates a ridge of high pressure over Washington. This type of pattern will bring below normal snowfall for the Cascades. La Nina is suppose to bring above average snowfall right? Generally yes however the biggest impacts of the snowfall usually come later in the winter, generally January and beyond.
Forecast models continue to bring a ridge of high pressure at times over Washington state. See map below which is the average position of the 500 mb (about 18,000 feet). This is for the period 12-18 to 12-22 and indicates a ridge of high pressure over Washington. This type of pattern will bring below normal snowfall for the Cascades. La Nina is suppose to bring above average snowfall right? Generally yes however the biggest impacts of the snowfall usually come later in the winter, generally January and beyond.
Friday, December 9, 2011
KUOW- Bessemer Mountain Saddle
Updated 12-9-2011. Weather this weekend light showers later on Saturday and into early Sunday.
This trailhead is near North Bend Washington. It is a logging road walk that takes you up to saddle at about 4100 feet. We suggest that you DO NOT go up to the top of the Mountain as there might be avalanche issues. Besides snowshoeing to the saddle is about 3000 foot gain which is a big workout in itself.
Photo below is of a moss draped tree on lower portion of logging road, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is one of the waterfalls, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is snowshoe on the way up, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is at the saddle at about 4100 feet, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is of Russian Buttes west (view towards the west), photo by Michael Fagin
Driving Directions: From Seattle, drive east on I-90 to exit 34 and turn left (north) onto 468th Street and follow it to the junction with the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road (Forest Road 56). Turn right and continue up the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road for 7.4 miles park at gated road on the left. Gate is marked "905 " and it is blue. You need discovery pass as this is state land DNR.
Trail Stats: About 3000 foot gain high point is 4100 feet. About 10 miles roundtrip. Start on logging road and walk about a mile and then turn right on logging road, going left takes you on an old hiking trail which you do not want. Basically continue to follow logging road and follow it uphill until you reach saddle at about 4100 feet. Do not go to the summit, safe that for the summer. Saddle at Location GPS way points
Latitude: 47.545972º N
Longitude: 121.618268º W
Altitude: 4,077 ft
Thanks George for GPS waypoints.
Please bring map and compass and or GPS as these directions are just estimates.
Hike for MPF
This trailhead is near North Bend Washington. It is a logging road walk that takes you up to saddle at about 4100 feet. We suggest that you DO NOT go up to the top of the Mountain as there might be avalanche issues. Besides snowshoeing to the saddle is about 3000 foot gain which is a big workout in itself.
Photo below is of a moss draped tree on lower portion of logging road, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is one of the waterfalls, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is snowshoe on the way up, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is at the saddle at about 4100 feet, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is of Russian Buttes west (view towards the west), photo by Michael Fagin
Driving Directions: From Seattle, drive east on I-90 to exit 34 and turn left (north) onto 468th Street and follow it to the junction with the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road (Forest Road 56). Turn right and continue up the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road for 7.4 miles park at gated road on the left. Gate is marked "905 " and it is blue. You need discovery pass as this is state land DNR.
Trail Stats: About 3000 foot gain high point is 4100 feet. About 10 miles roundtrip. Start on logging road and walk about a mile and then turn right on logging road, going left takes you on an old hiking trail which you do not want. Basically continue to follow logging road and follow it uphill until you reach saddle at about 4100 feet. Do not go to the summit, safe that for the summer. Saddle at Location GPS way points
Latitude: 47.545972º N
Longitude: 121.618268º W
Altitude: 4,077 ft
Thanks George for GPS waypoints.
Please bring map and compass and or GPS as these directions are just estimates.
Hike for MPF
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Weather Cascasdes Extended
Issued December 7, 2011
Ridge of high pressure will continue to be the prime weather feature over the Northwest. With this pattern below normal snowfall will be the rule through the period. The map below is the 500 mb map (about 18,000 feet) and this indicates the ridge over the region through December 17.
Ridge of high pressure will continue to be the prime weather feature over the Northwest. With this pattern below normal snowfall will be the rule through the period. The map below is the 500 mb map (about 18,000 feet) and this indicates the ridge over the region through December 17.
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