Trail clearing continues at Mount Spokane State Park

Hundreds of blowdown trees have been cleared from roads and trails at Mount Spokane State Park in the past two weeks, and there’s more work to do, rangers say.

“Depending on what happens (Wednesday), we at least have the main routes and emergency routes open,” said Jerry Johnson, park ranger on duty, as Wednesday’s wind storm was likely to topple more trees.

Snowshoeing routes still need a lot more clearing, he said. Park staff and volunteers are organizing a trail-clearing effort on Saturday.

Volunteers are encouraged to meet at 9 a.m. sharp at the main snowmobile Sno-Park lot below Selkirk Lodge.

“We will focus on Trail 130, from the parking lot to Bald Knob, and then out to the CCC cabin if we have time and enough volunteers and favorable working conditions,” said Holly Weiler, trail crew organizer for the Spokane Mountaineers.

“This trail is hugely popular with snowshoers and backcountry skiers, and it currently has more trees across it than I was able to accurately count.”

More snow is forecast before Saturday and the trail crew could be working in more than a foot of snow. Volunteers should register with Weiler by email (hmweiler@yahoo.com). She said she would update volunteers on any weather-related schedule changes.

Volunteers should come with daypacks and extra food, clothing and either micro-spikes for their boots or small snowshoes, she said.

“We’re especially looking for volunteers who have chainsaws and full safety gear – hard hat, chaps, safety glasses, ear protection and so on,” she said. “Those who don’t have chainsaw equipment will be the swampers clearing the debris from the trail as the chainsaw operators cut.”

Knee-deep snow on Tuesday was deteriorating quickly in the rain, she said, dampening prospects of the downhill ski area opening this weekend.

“We’ll have to see what nature delivers,” Ranger Johnson said. “They need several inches of snow to open the downhill ski area. If we get that much we might get out on the nordic ski trails with the snowmobile groomer.”

The Spokane Nordic Ski Association devoted several trail work parties to clear nearly 500 trees off the cross-country ski trails since the Nov. 17 wind storm, Johnson said.

“Park staff has cleared another 250-300 trees off roads and emergency routes,” he said. “The snowmobile club came up and helped clear trees off Trail 120.

“Now we’re just taking it a storm at a time.”

Washington Sno-Park permits are required on all vehicles entering the state park and using the Sno-Park parking lots, he said.

Permits can be purchased at the state park office and at a credit card kiosk outside the office if rangers aren’t available. The permits also are available at shops such as Mountain Gear, Fitness Fanatics and REI.