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Just_Some_Hiker
Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2013
Posts: 691 | TRs | Pics
Location: Snoqualmie, WA |
Inspired by RichP's trip report from February, I decided to mix things up and do an eastside hike in an attempt to escape the rain that was falling pretty much everywhere else.
We parked at the Big Pines Recreation Area, where an event of some kind was taking place. Umtanum Ridge across the river was absolutely loaded with hikers and trail runners. A race?
The snow on Baldy is long-gone and wildflowers were blooming. I haven't been out without skis since last October, so it felt a little weird.
It was overcast but clear with a light breeze. Perfect temperature for hiking. There were a few other hikers on the mountain but overall it was a quiet trip.
Just as we got back to the car we started feeling rain drops. Perfect timing.
 I failed to climb to the true summit.
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Nancyann
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Joined: 28 Jul 2013
Posts: 2319 | TRs | Pics
Location: Sultan Basin |
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Nancyann
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 Sun Apr 23, 2017 7:56 pm |
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Thanks for the TR. We are heading east tomorrow and may end up there, because we're not going to stop driving until we see the sun. 
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RichP
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Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 5634 | TRs | Pics
Location: here |
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RichP
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Sun Apr 23, 2017 9:31 pm |
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Brushbuffalo
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Joined: 17 Sep 2015
Posts: 1887 | TRs | Pics
Location: there earlier, here now, somewhere later... Bellingham in between |
| Just_Some_Hiker wrote: | | Umtanum Ridge across the river was absolutely loaded with hikers and trail runners. A race? |
What RichP said.
Both races started and finished at the Umtanum State Recreation Area (actually on private land next to the rec. area). What you saw across from Big Pine was an aid station for the 50 km race on Saturday, which continued on south to Buffalo Road at the halfway point before returning again via the same route. The 25 km turnaround was at that aid station visible across the river. We rafted water and supplies over on Friday from Big Pine.
There are far fewer flowers in bloom on Umtanum Ridge than at the same time last year. It was a rough winter and has been a cold, wet spring. In four trips to the south end of Old Durr Road, this is the wettest I've seen it for late April.
A splendid area, wide-open and unlike anything we have on the Wet Side!
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
Passing rocks and trees like they were standing still
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kbatku
Questionable hiker
Joined: 17 Sep 2007
Posts: 3330 | TRs | Pics
Location: Yaquima |
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kbatku
Questionable hiker
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Mon Apr 24, 2017 12:52 pm |
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PS a woman got snake bit there last week, saw the snake bite her, went to the hospital in Ellenburg and they gave her a band-aid and an aspirin and sent her home. They somehow determined that it was NOT a rattlesnake bite so they didn't treat her.
Long story short she wound up being airlifted to Harborview and almost died. Sooooo....the snakes are out, Umptanum is way snakey, and if you get bit go the the hospital in Yakima or drive yourself to Harborview and save the flight.
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zephyr
aka friendly hiker
Joined: 21 Jun 2009
Posts: 3370 | TRs | Pics
Location: West Seattle |
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zephyr
aka friendly hiker
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Mon Apr 24, 2017 1:17 pm |
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| kbatku wrote: | | PS a woman got snake bit there last week, saw the snake bite her, |
Thanks for the heads up. So do you have more information on where the snake bite occurred? Was it on Umtanum ridge near Baldy or across the river and up Umtanum Creek? Would love to hear the backstory on how it happened if that's available. I've been out that way twice this month already. ~z
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kbatku
Questionable hiker
Joined: 17 Sep 2007
Posts: 3330 | TRs | Pics
Location: Yaquima |
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kbatku
Questionable hiker
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Mon Apr 24, 2017 4:06 pm |
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The snakes are usually down by the creek. The woman was a friend of a friend - I'll see if I can come up with any more details. 
Nevermind.
My wife, pressed for details, said " it might have happened several years ago". Which makes sense because it's still too cold for them to be out much in my experience.
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Just_Some_Hiker
Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2013
Posts: 691 | TRs | Pics
Location: Snoqualmie, WA |
I've only had two rattlesnake encounters, and sure enough one of them was along Umtanum Creek a few years ago.
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RichP
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Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 5634 | TRs | Pics
Location: here |
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RichP
Member
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Mon Apr 24, 2017 4:17 pm |
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| kbatku wrote: | | Which makes sense because it's still too cold for them to be out much in my experience. |
Still a good reminder that they will be out soon.
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kbatku
Questionable hiker
Joined: 17 Sep 2007
Posts: 3330 | TRs | Pics
Location: Yaquima |
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kbatku
Questionable hiker
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Mon Apr 24, 2017 4:17 pm |
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There and Oak Creek on White Pass are two of the surest places to enjoy the company of rattlesnakes.
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joker
seeker
Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Posts: 7953 | TRs | Pics
Location: state of confusion |
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joker
seeker
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Mon Apr 24, 2017 4:35 pm |
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early flowers were out on Yakima Rim Skyline out of Selah on Saturday, but no lupine or balsamroot yet
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Chico
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Joined: 30 Nov 2012
Posts: 2500 | TRs | Pics
Location: Lacey |
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Chico
Member
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Mon Apr 24, 2017 5:51 pm |
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| kbatku wrote: | | There and Oak Creek on White Pass are two of the surest places to enjoy the company of rattlesnakes. |
Just remember that the babies also pack a wallop! Do not unwittingly step on their tails while you lift your pant leg to tie your boot.
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hikerbiker
Member
Joined: 29 Sep 2008
Posts: 155 | TRs | Pics
Location: Rock Creek |
South side of Cleman Mt is currently covered with balsamroot; lupine to follow. Spring is finally here!
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gb
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Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Posts: 6310 | TRs | Pics
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gb
Member
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Tue Apr 25, 2017 7:25 am |
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The flowers are yet the very early flowers and are better lower than higher. They are ...... not surprisingly 2-3 weeks late.
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Naches Hiker
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Joined: 01 Jun 2014
Posts: 239 | TRs | Pics
Location: Living among the Liberals |
| kbatku wrote: | | There and Oak Creek on White Pass are two of the surest places to enjoy the company of rattlesnakes. |
Don't forget waterworks and bear canyon.
People usually freak out when I show them one of the snake dens up waterworks.
Have I offended you today?
Have I offended you today?
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