From GPNF:

This year’s celebration of National Public Lands Day at Mount St. Helens will include the long awaited reopening of the Lava Canyon Trail on the south side of Mount St. Helens. Repair of the trail, which was closed by extensive flood damage, has involved the replacement of a washed out bridge, construction of new steps and walkway, and replacement of damaged railings. Completion of the repair marks the end of a two-year effort financed by an $185,000 grant in 2008 for bridge replacement and a $54,000 grant in 2009 to complete the walkways, railings and bridge approaches. Funding was received from federal payments to counties allocated through the citizens’ Resource Advisory Committee for the South Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

National Public Lands Day volunteers and Forest Service officials will gather at Lava Canyon Trailhead at 2:30 p.m. to celebrate the reopening. For details concerning National Public Lands Day volunteer projects at Mount St. Helens and how you can get involved, download our National Public Lands day event flyer at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volunteering/documents/2009NationalPublicLandsDayFlyer_000.pdf

or contact the friendly folks at the Mount St. Helens Institute at (360) 449-7887.

From the Associated Press:

NORTHPORT, Wash. - State Fish and Wildlife officials say a 5-year-old Canadian boy was hurt when a cougar pounced on him while he and his family were hiking a remote trail in northeastern Washington.

Department spokeswoman Madonna Luers says the big cat jumped the boy while he was hiking Wednesday with his parents and sister on the Abercrombie Mountain trail in the Colville National Forest. She says his mother began beating the cougar with a water bottle and the cat ran off.

Luers says the parents, from Rossland, British Columbia, told wildlife agents the boy was treated and released at a hospital for head wounds and is expected to completely recover.

She says wildlife officials and contract hunters found blood and cougar tracks at the site. She says that when the cat is found it will be killed.

From Seattle U.

Seattle University assistant cross country and track and field coach Uli Steidl has been selected to represent Germany at the 25th World Mountain Running Championship on Sunday, Sept. 6, at Valchiavenna.

Steidl, participating in this competition for the fifth time, will be among 152 competitors from 34 different countries running in this annual event. The senior men’s race will be three loops of the 4.34-kilometer course for a total distance of 13.02 kilometers, with a total altitude change of 825 meters during the race.

The eight-time Seattle Marathon winner is no stranger to international competitions, as he finished in 37th place at the IAAF World Marathon Championships in Osaka, Japan, in 2007. In 1991, Steidl won the junior men’s race at the World Mountain Running Championships, which led to his participation representing Germany in the U-20 races at both the World Cross Country Championships and the European Junior Championships.

This press release came in late yesterday. Olympic National Park officials last weekend re-opened about 30 miles of trails on the east side of the park that had been closed because of nearby wildfires.

The following trails have been re-opened for public use due to low potential for fires in the upper Dose Drainage.

-- The Constance Pass Trail from the Dosewallips Trail to the park boundary.

-- The Main Fork Dosewallips Trail from the junction of Gray Wolf Pass to the Dose Forks and

-- The West Fork Dosewallips Trail from Honeymoon Meadows to Dose Forks.

Two trails are still closed due to fire related hazards and are likely to
remain closed for several weeks or longer.

-- The Duckabush Trail is closed from LaCrosse Pass junction to the park boundary because of its proximity to the 750 acre Ten Mile Fire.

-- Hiker use of the Dosewallips Road is closed from the Olympic National Forest's Elkhorn Campground to the Dosewallips Trail at Dose Forks, one mile west of the Dosewallips Ranger Station. The 440 acre Constance Fire is burning nearby in steep terrain; burning logs and debris are rolling downslope onto the road/trail.

Additionally, the backcountry campfire ban put in place Aug. 3 will be lifted on Wednesday at 11 p.m. Fire danger conditions have abated thanks to recent rains and the forecast calls for cooler, moist conditions. Campfires in the park’s established front country campgrounds are allowed as usual in established fire grates; where campfires are allowed on the coast, they must be located below the high tide line. Campers still need to ensure that their campfires are out before leaving the campsite.

The Heatwave Complex is comprised of 12 lighting-ignited fires
discovered in Olympic National Park since June, five of which remain
active, creating a mosaic of burned and unburned vegetation across the
landscape. Naturally caused wildfires have occurred in the Olympic
Peninsula for thousands of years, and are an integral part of the area’s
ecosystem. Evidence of past wildland fire is found throughout the park in
fire scars on trees and the mosaic of forest patterns.

Click here for additional Heatwave Complex fire information, maps, and photos.

Mount Rainier National Park officials are warning hikers and climbers that the Muir Snowfield has melted out early this season adding additional challenges to the route to Camp Muir.

According to a statement released by the park today there is exposed bare glacier ice and crevasses above 8,200 feet on the route. The steep slope - 25-30 degrees in some areas could make the route slippery and hazardous.

According to the park's statement, "There have been numerous cases this year of slips that have caused fairly severe abrasions. Also this year, the exposed ice from 9,500 feet to 10,100 feet has opened up crevasses that require skill and care in safely picking out circuitous routes which avoid the open cracks in the ice. Over the years, people have found themselves injured by falling in the crevasses or left dangling above them."

If you are planning to hike to Camp Muir, park officials recommend doing the following:

- Get the latest route conditions at the Climbing Information Center in Paradise (360-569-6009) or the Wilderness Information Center in Longmire (360-569-HIKE, 360-569-4453).

- Carry and use crampons and an ice axe.

- Cover all skin with durable full-length pants and long-sleeve shirts.

- Download the Muir Route Bearing Sheet.

- Carry a map, GPS, and compass, and know how to use them. Track your route on the way up, trackback on the descent.

- Travel to Camp Muir with someone.

- The only anchors that work in the glacier ice are ice screws, should you choose to belay over the crevasses with a short section of rope.

- Get up-to-date forecasts and prepare for cold, wet weather.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife plans to hold public meetings next week to discuss green-dot road management on several central Washington wildlife areas. Since the meetings will take place before the next Adventure section prints, I posted the info here:

Green-dot road systems are those where only roads marked by circular green reflectors are open to motor vehicles.

Department wildlife area managers Condi Confer, Shana Winegeart and Pete Lopushinksy are seeking input on proposals to change the number of green-dot roads on the Wenas and Colockum wildlife areas, and on acreage in the Skookumchuck and Parke Creek areas of the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area.

Wildlife area citizen advisory groups and several sportsmen's organizations have been reviewing the proposals that will be discussed in the public meetings.

The meetings, which all begin at 6 p.m., will take place:

Tuesday: In Ellensburg, at the Hal Holmes Center, 209 N. Ruby Street
Wednesday: In Selah, at the Selah Civic Center, 216 S. First St.
Thursday: In Wenatchee, at the Campus Theater in Wells Hall on the Wenatchee Valley College Campus, 1300 Fifth St.

Final green-dot road plans and maps will be completed in time for roads to be posted for the beginning of hunting seasons.

The staff at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge continue to offer free interpretive programs on Saturdays and Sundays.

The programs include discussions of the plants and birds at the refuge, talks about the history of the area, nature and wildlife photography clinics and a slideshow on the national wildlife refuge system.

The guided walks depart from the visitor center flag pole, and talks are held in the visitor center auditorium. Walking trails are smooth and level. There is no charge for programs, but the $3 per family refuge entrance fee still applies. The programs last one to two hours.

The refuge is located off Interstate 5 at Exit 114. The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset. For more information, contact Jackie LaRue at (360) 753-9467 or jackie_larue@fws.gov.

Program Details

Quiet Beauty: the Plants of Nisqually NWR is an easy hike exploring the plants of the Refuge.

Take Flight: the Birds of Nisqually NWR is an easy hike focusing on the sights and sounds of the birds on the Refuge (beginner/intermediate level birding walk).

The Wonder of Nisqually is an easy hike exploring both flora and fauna around the Refuge.

Historic Nisqually walks are about the influential human history that occurred within the Refuge boundary: the controversial Medicine Creek Treaty and/or the long-standing, landscape altering farm history that started with the Brown Farm days. Program may be an easy walk or a slide show, dependant on the presenter.

Introduction to Nature and Wildlife Photography is an easy hike that will explore the Refuge through the lens of your camera. An amateur nature/wildlife photographer and Refuge volunteer will lead this general introduction photography walk.

America’s National Wildlife Refuge System is a slideshow presentation.

Here are the remaining programs:

AUGUST

Saturday, August 8, 8:00 am Take Flight
Sunday, August 9, 10:00 am Wonder of Nisqually

Saturday, August 15, 8:30 am Take Flight
Sunday, August 16, 1:00 pm Historic Nisqually: Medicine Creek Treaty (outdoor walk)

Saturday, August 22, 11:00 am Historic Nisqually: Medicine Creek Treaty (outdoor walk)
Sunday, August 23, 10:00 am Wonder of Nisqually

Saturday, August 29, 10:00 am Wonder of Nisqually
Sunday, August 30, 1:00 pm America’s National Wildlife Refuge System

SEPTEMBER
Saturday, September 5, 8:30 am Take Flight
Sunday, September 6, 1:00 pm America’s National Wildlife Refuge System

Saturday, September 12, 1:00 pm Historic Nisqually: The Farming Days (indoor
presentation)
Sunday, September 13, 8:00 am Introduction to Nature and Wildlife Photography

Saturday September 19, 11:00 am Historic Nisqually: Medicine Creek Treaty (outdoor walk)
Sunday, September 20, 1:00 pm Quiet Beauty

Saturday, September 26, 10:00 am-4:00 pm Nisqually Watershed Festival
Sunday, September 27, 1:00 pm Wonder of Nisqually

The staff at Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest announced today a ban on open campfires and restricts smoking beginning tomorrow.

Here is the rest of the release:  

“We need to take precautions for public safety,” said Forest Supervisor Rob Iwamoto. “These steps are based on weather projections and conditions on the ground.”  Fuel moisture has been at historic lows and the National Weather Service predicts more hot and dry conditions ahead.

Wood and charcoal fires are only allowed in developed campgrounds that have established concrete or steel-grated fire pits or rings.  Campers can use portable stoves or lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel sources for cooking or heat outside of designated campgrounds. Smoking is allowed within enclosed vehicles, buildings and developed recreation sites. Violators can be fined up to $5,000 and/ or imprisoned up to six months in jail.  

Click here for a list of campgrounds where fires are permitted.

Because of similar conditions in other areas of Washington, visitors are encouraged to check with state or local fire protection agencies to determine other campfire restrictions.

Click here for information about fires on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center provides general fire information.

Report fires to the Washington wildland fire hotline at 1-800-562-6010.

Two lightning-caused fires are burning in the upper Duckabush and
Dosewallips River valleys, in the eastern section of Olympic National Park.

One fire is 10 acres while the second is one acre. Both are located deep within the park and in wilderness areas.

Here is the rest of the park news release:

“These fires were ignited by early-season thunderstorms and are a natural part of the Olympic ecosystem,” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin. “Considering their size, extremely steep surroundings and location well within park and wilderness boundaries, we are managing these fires for resource benefit through confinement and continued monitoring.”

Lightning storms on June 13 and July 11 resulted in over 30 lightning strikes within the park, with four fires known to be ignited. Two of these fires are still known to be active.

The Constance fire in the upper Dosewallips drainage is currently 10 acres and was ignited by a lightning strike on July 11; it was first reported on July 17. Its remote location and extremely steep terrain makes access for firefighters very difficult and would require technical climbing skills, presenting significant risk to any firefighters. Given these factors, park crews are managing the Constance fire through a confinement strategy, in which existing barriers like rock outcrops, trails and ridge tops are used
as natural firebreaks. Crews will continue to monitor this fire.

The Lake Constance Trail is closed due to hazardous conditions including falling trees and rocks.

Under clear conditions, the Constance fire smoke column is visible at times from the Silverdale area, and can be observed via a private webcam at www.drdale.com.

In the upper Duckabush Valley, the Ten-Mile fire was reported by a hiker on June 23 and has been monitored by members of the park’s fire crew since then. The fire is believed to have been caused by a single lightning strike to a tall old-growth Douglas fir on June 13.

Two other small fires in the upper Dosewallips drainage were reported on July 11 and smoke columns were easily visible from Hurricane Ridge. Smoke has not been visible from either of these fires since July 13.

Warm, dry weather continues to prevail throughout the park and is forecast through the next 10 days, raising the possibility of increased fire activity.

Managing these fires for resource benefits meets guidelines as outlined in the Olympic National Park Fire Management Plan, approved in December 2005 after extensive public review and comment. Naturally occurring fires create a patchwork of different forest types and provide a mosaic of habitats for a wide variety of plants and animals.

Jeff and I teamed up to write a story about our favorite food stops after a day in the outdoors.

No fine dining here. Just fine burgers, fries, shakes and cherry pie a la mode (Twede's famous pie pictured to the right).

Check it out and see if your favorite was included. If not let us know about your favorite. We'd love to check it out.

(Picture by Drew Perine)

So I took my son along yesterday morning for a little hiking at Rainier for part of the Rainier 110 project. This is the 110th anniversary of Mount Rainier National Park and I'm celebrating by hiking 110 miles in the park. I'll be posting dispatches here and in the paper.

So far I've bagged 56.9 miles.

Here are pics from the four hikes I did with my 8-year-old son, Alex.

1. Deer Creek Falls, 1 mile (Off Highway 123)

2. Grove of the Patriarhs, 1.5 miles (Near Ohanapecosh)

3. Silver Falls Loop, 3 miles (At Ohanapecosh)

4. Dege Peak, 3 miles (Between Sunrise and Sunrise Point.)

According to an article in The Olympian Friday's brush fire in Capitol Forest was arson:

BY MATT BATCHELDOR
The Olympian

A wildfire that started Friday in Capitol State Forest was the result of arson, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Natural Resources said Saturday.

Koshare Lomnicki, a public-information officer for the department, said the agency found evidence of “an incendiary device” near a pile of brush. She didn’t characterize what the device was but said there were not multiple fireworks at the scene.

She said the fire had grown to a dozen acres by Friday night, but firefighters had contained it by creating a perimeter around it.

=> Read more!