Weather Extended Washington Cascades

Issued 3-28-2012
The long term forecast patterns keep a trough of low pressure off the coast and this will continue the pattern of above average precipitation and below average temperatures. The map below is the mean position of the 500 mb map (18,000 feet) through April 10 which supports this forecast.

KUOW Hike of the Week- Taylor Mt

Taylor Mt is part of the King County Park system and is south of Issaquah and off the Issaquah-Hobart Rd just south of Highway 18. Trail is Holder Ridge (or called Holder Knob) is a short hike.
Photo below is taken last April of Trillium, photo by Alan Bauer


Check out Green Trails Maps for directions. Map for this week's trip is 204S. Click link below for complete list of maps.http:// http://greentrailsmaps.com/maps/index_Map_wa/

Photo below is view to the west part way up Holder Ridge, photo by Michael Fagin
Photo below is at the top of the ridge looking towards Tiger Mt, photo by Michael Fagin

Photo below is view towards Mt. Rainier, photo by Alan Bauer

Photo below is of Maple trees, photo by Alan Bauer


Driving Directions: From I-90 take exit 17 (Front Street), and turn right (south) onto Front Street and continue south through Issaquah. Front Street becomes Issaquah-Hobart Road as you leave town. Continue south along this road to its junction with State Route 18. Cross under SR 18 and drive short distance and turn left into Taylor Mountain Forest, King County Parks. No fees required.

Trail Stats: Hike from lot to Holder Ridge Trail hike about 1.6 miles go to junction veer to left than go another .4 miles to the top. Thus the hike is 2 miles, about 500 foot gain to ridge top. Thus this is 4 miles roundtrip. However there are miles of trails that you can walk on trials and gated roads.
Map of Park
your.kingcounty.gov/ftp/gis/Web/VMC/recreation/BCT_TaylorMtn_brochure.pdf
Directions are the best estimates that we have so please bring map and compass and or GPS.
Custom Weather Forecasts & Services

West Coast WeatherContact us

Weather Extended Washington Cascades

Issued: March 21, 2012
Forecast models continue the trough of low pressure off the coast of Washington. The image below is a snapshot of the weather patterns for March 30, 2012 and this is the 500 mb chart (18,000 feet). With the trough of low pressure near Washington the Washington Cascades will continue the patten of adding to the above normal snowpack

KUOW- Hike Federation Forest

Issued 3-20-2012
Hike with just patchy snow in the Federation Forest State Park off of Highway 410 east of Enumclaw.
Photo below is Michael Fagin standing next to old growth tree, photo by Alan Bauer


Check out Green Trails Maps for directions. Map for this week's trip is 238-Greenwater. Click link below for complete list of maps.http:// http://greentrailsmaps.com/maps/index_Map_wa/

Photo below two hikers enjoying the view of the White River

Photo below is view to the south of the higher terrain, photo by Michael Fagin

Photo below is old growth forest, estimated age of trees 300 to 400 years old, photo by Alan Bauer

Photo below is view of very tall trees, photo by Michael Fagin

Photo below is a happy tree, notice the smile, photo by Michael Fagin

Photo below is signs on the trail system, photo by Michael Fagin


Driving Directions: From Enumclaw drive Highway 410 east about 18 miles. Parking is a half mile (west of) from milepost 41. Thus, you park .50 mile west of the summer entrance to the park. Need Discover Pass.

Trail Stats: Up to 12 miles to hike all of the flat trails. Elevation at about 1600 feet, elevation gain 100 feet. The best trail is the that goes east close to the White River. Always bring map and compass and or GPS. Directions are our best estimate.
Custom Weather Forecasts & Services

West Coast WeatherContact us

Weather Extended Cascades

Issued 3-14-2012
Extended forecast models for the Cascades indicate the cool and wet pattern will continue through at least March 23. Thus snowpack will continue to build.

KUOW Hike- Twin Falls

Update March 13, 2012.
Location just east of North Bend. This is a short hike and "kid friendly." Short distance 3 miles roundtrip and only 500 foot gain. Lots of water should be coming down the falls. Many of these photos were taken last week when there was snow on the trail. Snow might be gone than again might get dusting of new snow today.
Photo by below is view near trailhead, photo by Karen Sykes


Check out Green Trails Maps for directions. Map for this week's trip is 205S. Click link below for complete list of maps.http:// http://greentrailsmaps.com/maps/index_Map_wa/

Photo below is one of the waterfalls, photo by Karen Sykes
Photo below is of waterfalls- up close, photo by Alan Bauer

Photo below is hiker in the forest, photo by Karen Sykes
Driving Directions: From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 34. Turn south on 468th Avenue SE (turn right) and go about 0.5 mile. Immediately before the bridge, turn left (east) on SE 159th Street and drive 0.5 mile to the trailhead parking lot
Trail stats: 3 miles roundtrip and 500 foot gain.You will need a Discover Pass as this is a state park.
Custom Weather Forecasts & Services

West Coast WeatherContact us

Weather extended Washington Cascades

Issued 3-7-2012
After the ridge of high pressure moves out of the region on this Friday 3-9-2012 the Washington Cascades will return to the pattern of below normal temperatures and above normal mountain snow. Snowpack in the West Cascades of Washington is currently running from 100 to 125% of normal and those numbers should increase over the next several weeks. A trough of low pressure will remain parked off the Washington Coast through for March 14 through March 20.
The map below is the 500 mb map (18,000 feet) and displays the trough off the coast and this bring cold and wet conditions.