[Newt]

We use the DEM's at work for drainage basins, runoff and wetlands. Amazing what programs can do. I must thank you folks for this thread. After seeing the photos, reading about the flowers and seeing the relief of the *crater*, I took a run over to have a look see for my self. Hiked up the creek and took some photos. Darn beavers are pretty wasteful. All kinds of trees down and untouched. Lots had been started but never fallen. No wildlife in sight and only met 2 others on the way out. When I got back to the bridge I hiked up to the ridge for a look see. Now I have my own photo of the river and *crater*. I find it hard to believe the river meandered there. Just doesn't fit the picture well in my book. Awesome view with some flowers out and about. I expected more. I'm not whining 'cause there were enough. Had to cut the hike short as the big black cloud was a rolling my way. It started coming down as I crossed the bridge. Have a question... anyone hike the ridge that goes up along the south side Umtanum Creek? I see there's a trail up to it but didn't have time to check it out. NN

[polarbear-]

Here is my contribution to craterology. After studying petroglyphs in the area showing many natives with stones in each hand, I came to the conclusion that 10,000 years ago they had built an amphitheater here in which the original rock concerts were held.

crater

[Larry]

[salish]

NN - you are quite a guy, glad you're curious enough about something to actually drive a hundred miles over there to explore it. Wish more of my friends were like that. I agree with you about the crater. It just doesn't look like a river course, but what the hey. The trail/track you are talking about is one I've been up many times. That's my normal route up to the upper ridges when I'm hunting there in December & January. I discovered a different route this past winter, though, that takes me downstream along the RR tracks for about two miles before I head back up into the higher ridges. This new route I take brings me back out on that track to the footbridge. Cliff

[polarbear-]

Larry, this area of study is unfortunately still in its infancy. The amphitheatre on the Yakima is one of the only sites known. This was in the back of my mind as I studied the ancient petroglyphs. I noticed that the glyphs were largely of two types. Groups of happy natives , and groups of quite angry natives . Now, as we all know, one cannot be happy and angry at the same time with the exception of when one steps off the the car sales lot with a new set of wheels, hence, I concluded that they represented the same group of people but at different moments in time . Here is my far fetched theory: One native of entrepreneural bent decides to build the theater that will bring in natives from all around to hear the concerts. After five years of hard labor by thousands which he pays for on credit and promises, they are ready for the first concert. Tickets are sold and he believes he can recoup all his expenditures. The evening of the concert as the sun paints its swath towards the horizon, natives stream down the Yakima in canoes, thousands of them. What an event! Everyone is happy and ancient enemies sit next to each other united by that common language of mankind, music. Hours later, the concert ends and they stream back to their canoes. Suddenly they realize, that they floated miles and miles down the river, but they cannot float back up, they will have to portage Meanwhile, the entrepreneur has his bag of money and hops a raft a la the King and the Duke in Huck Finn for more peaceful climes, ultimately making it to Kenewick where he is apprehended and done in. Thousands of years later he is discovered, becomes known as the Kennewick Man, and remains a controversial figure to this day.

[Newt]

I had noticed at one time some of the petroglyphs showed what appeared to be log jams. Upon further investigation I found that it was actually a canoe jam of concert goers. Another rock picture depicted someone yelling something along the lines of the Yakima river being closed because of traffic. At that point the fences were crashed down and it was a free concert. History does repeat itself. Wonder who was playing? NN aka LM

[Newt]

Thanks Cliff. Newt has been finding out that life is getting shorter and time is going faster. It was well worth the trip as I think I found an area that I fit. I have property in NE WA but it's a long drive or I'd go there more often. Like other folks, I find the east side (of the mountains) provide a much slower and relaxing pace. The wide open spaces and dry humidity are pretty good for the body and soul. I'll be back. NN

[Larry]

Polarbear wrote: I noticed that the glyphs were largely of two types. Groups of happy natives , and groups of quite angry natives . Now, as we all know, one cannot be happy and angry at the same time with the exception of when one steps off the the car sales lot with a new set of wheels, hence, I concluded that they represented the same group of people but at different moments in time . So, Polarbear...would you classify this as a petroglyph of a happy native or an angry native? Granted, I took the photo in Horseshoe Canyon in Escalante National Monument, which is about 1200 miles south "as the Goldfinch flies". I defer, Polarbear, to your exhaustive research and your powers of observation. Once you've told me your interpretation of the demeanor of the petroglyph, I will further this most productive conversation.

Petroglyph from Grand Gallery, Horseshoe Canyon, Utah 1999

[polarbear-]

Ummm...I think that petroglyph just stepped off the car lot with a new set of wheels

[Larry]

[Larry]

[Steve]

Is the NW Forest pass required at the Umtanum Ridge TH?

[Larry]

[Alan Bauer]

No, the NW Forest Pass is not required to use these lands. HOWEVER...this is all state fish and wildlife land and thus the Access Stewardship Access Decal is required to park and access the lands. It's a simple $10/year decal for your vehicle. I find this to be much more worthy of the cause than the NW Forest Pass and gladly pay it every year to access thousands of sites 'by the rules'. When I get home this weekend from this vacation away from home I'll post the web site to quickly not only purchase one, but it allows you to print out the temporary pass to display until the real thing arrives. As a general rule from what I have found in visiting hundreds of locations in Eastern Washington (and similar land ownerships of western Washington) is all WDFW land will require the decal, some BLM land also will (largely due to sometimes there being a lake nestled within the BLM land that is under WDFW ownership for fishing), but many BLM lands do not, and most all DNR lands do not. The big DNR exception is the hassle to get a permit is required to hike/bike the Milwaukee RR Corridor Trail--it is a free permit, but a hassle to get it from the DNR office in Ellensburg.

[Newt]

Is camping permitted up along the ridge off the trails? Thanks NN