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puzzlr Mid Fork Rocks
Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 7220 | TRs | Pics Location: Stuck in the middle |
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
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Tue Feb 23, 2021 6:17 pm
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These photos are by John Stimberis of the WSDOT taken during the warm rain on February 22. I was asked to post them here to get word out that Franklin Falls could be deadly under these conditions.
John wrote:
Quote: | This is likely the 3rd event this year to reach the pool. The first one didn’t completely fill it, and the second one (2/16) covered the pool. The latest on 2/21 (1600-2200 time frame) completely covered the pool and ran to the outlet.
In the 2007-2008 winter the pool filled with debris to the top of the falls from successive avalanches.
Here are two shots from yesterday as the water flow increased |
Franklin Falls avalanche Franklin Falls avalanche
There's a similar posting by someone else on FB WHC
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Carbonj Member
Joined: 12 May 2020 Posts: 56 | TRs | Pics
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Carbonj
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Tue Feb 23, 2021 7:05 pm
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Cyclopath Faster than light
Joined: 20 Mar 2012 Posts: 7721 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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Cyclopath
Faster than light
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Tue Feb 23, 2021 7:05 pm
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I've never heard of an avalanche at Franklin Falls. 🤯 Has anyone else?
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Bootpathguy Member
Joined: 18 Jun 2015 Posts: 1788 | TRs | Pics Location: United States |
Cyclopath wrote: | I've never heard of an avalanche at Franklin Falls. 🤯 Has anyone else? |
I posted a warning in a TR a couple years ago. The avy chutes are obvious and I could see a avalanche easily climbing the opposite wall where the main access trail enters / terminates the plunge pool
Experience is what'cha get, when you get what'cha don't want
Experience is what'cha get, when you get what'cha don't want
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fourteen410 Member
Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 2628 | TRs | Pics
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Cyclopath wrote: | I've never heard of an avalanche at Franklin Falls. 🤯 Has anyone else? |
That hike has always had avy danger. Seems like once it got really crowded, folks forgot about it or figured it was safe because everyone else was doing it.
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Randito Snarky Member
Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 9512 | TRs | Pics Location: Bellevue at the moment. |
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Randito
Snarky Member
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Tue Feb 23, 2021 11:52 pm
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Eckels Member
Joined: 25 Feb 2021 Posts: 6 | TRs | Pics
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Eckels
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Thu Feb 25, 2021 1:59 pm
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That path went huge again during helicopter avalanche bombing yesterday. This video shows the slide taking out mature trees as it travels and a photo of franklin falls filled with a massive debris pile! Glad nobody was hurt!!
https://www.facebook.com/WSDOT/videos/890724984835056/
Also curious if any warnings we're posted at either trailhead. I know alpental valley was closed but didn't see anything stopping folks from hiking down the summer road at the start of alpental road.
I took a screenshot at 30 seconds of the Franklin Falls bowl filled with debris but can't figure out how to post it here. It's an astounding photo.
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Eckels Member
Joined: 25 Feb 2021 Posts: 6 | TRs | Pics
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Eckels
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Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:16 pm
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I think I got photos to work
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Eckels Member
Joined: 25 Feb 2021 Posts: 6 | TRs | Pics
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Eckels
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Thu Feb 25, 2021 3:03 pm
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zimmertr TJ Zimmerman
Joined: 24 Jun 2018 Posts: 1224 | TRs | Pics Location: Issaquah |
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zimmertr
TJ Zimmerman
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Thu Feb 25, 2021 5:25 pm
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That last photo is incredible!
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car68 Out on the skids
Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 296 | TRs | Pics Location: Could be anywhere. |
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car68
Out on the skids
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Thu Feb 25, 2021 9:00 pm
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Of course it's on Youtube.
This is just a few days prior.
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fourteen410 Member
Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 2628 | TRs | Pics
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Per the YouTube footage, a WSDOT worker yelled down from the highway to clear the area right before the avy came down. Allegedly there were no closure signs at the TH. I'm all for personal responsibility and doing your research before heading out...but unless I'm missing something, it seems a little negligent to not put a sign at the trailhead warning of avy control work.
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Randito Snarky Member
Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 9512 | TRs | Pics Location: Bellevue at the moment. |
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Randito
Snarky Member
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Fri Feb 26, 2021 7:10 am
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The NWAC forecast for the day was high. Independent of WSDOT efforts that area is very exposed to avalanche hazard. The highway was closed for the avalanche control work. There is a road closure barrier on the old highway that he walked past to approach the falls. The WSDOT positioned an employee on the bridge and gave a warning in time for them to clear out.
People routinely ignore posted warning signs. The guys complaint is him trying to blame someone else for him being ignorant and doing something that he only realized after the fact was very dangerous.
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RichP Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 5633 | TRs | Pics Location: here |
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RichP
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Fri Feb 26, 2021 8:36 am
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Spooky. Makes me wonder if somebody is under that pile of snow. Those people down below just look too casual.
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Bootpathguy Member
Joined: 18 Jun 2015 Posts: 1788 | TRs | Pics Location: United States |
Amazing video
Experience is what'cha get, when you get what'cha don't want
Experience is what'cha get, when you get what'cha don't want
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