Ripple Effect May Dampen Campers’ Spirits

Words of wisdom for Memorial Day weekend campers: Bring your hip waders.

Depending on height of your expectations, a snow shovel and chain saw might be necessary, too.

Late runoff and high water is causing a ripple effect in this year’s holiday camping experience.

The highlands are still plugged with snow, forcing more people to vie for lowland campsites during one of the year’s more popular camping weekends.

Backcountry skiers need to be aware of avalanche potential and paddlers will find many rivers are high and fast.

Even the normally placid paddle up the Thorofare to Upper Priest Lake could be a major test of mettle this weekend because of the outflow.

Forest Service workers have only recently been able to reach some popular campgrounds in the Coeur d’Alene River drainage. Most sites will be open for the weekend, with the notable exception of Bumblebee Campground, which was still plugged with snow on Wednesday.

At Robinson Creek Campground near Bonners Ferry, the normally peaceful Gillan Creek is roaring above the base of the ancient cedars on the shore.

Conversely, funseekers targeting Lake Roosevelt will be greeted by extremely low reservoir levels that will prevent visitors from launching boats at most ramps.

Some might consider the huge drawdown an adventure in itself. A backpack with extra clothes and provision are advisable for the long hike from the campgrounds to the water.

Lake Roosevelt’s level had risen three feet to elevation 1,224 from Tuesday to Wednesday. (Full pool is 1,290.) The level is forecast to rise to 1,230 by Saturday. That would allow boats to be launched at Seven Bays and Keller Ferry, but the water would still be below the ramps at 18 other launch sites on the 150-mile long reservoir.

If the lake continues to fill at the current rate, launching could be possible by the end of the weekend at Hunters, Spring Canyon and Kettle Falls.

For boat launching updates, call (509) 633-3838.

Roosevelt’s level has been kept low longer than anticipated to capture the runoff that’s still largely stalled in the mountains.

Campers heading almost anywhere in the region should expect to run into snow and blowdowns anywhere above 4,000 feet.

A hapless group pushed their luck on snow-clogged roads in the Priest Lake area on Tuesday. After driving seven miles north of Nordman, they became hopelessly bogged down and spent the rest of the day getting a tow truck.

Generally, campers will want to stick to lowlands and river bottoms, avoiding plans to reach higher terrain.

Moon Pass is a notable exception to the region’s snowbound mountain roads. The popular gravel route was recently opened from Wallace, Idaho, south to the St. Joe River.

Thompson Pass east of Murray, Idaho, also is open.

Following is a survey of regional camping conditions.

Bonners Ferry: Washouts have been reported on some mountain routes, including Trout Creek Road. Ball Creek Road is closed with snow. Meadow Creek Road, which provides access to the Moyie River, was flooded in some areas on Wednesday.

Idaho Corps of Engineers sites: Riley Creek, Priest River and Springy Point campgrounds in the Pend Oreille River area can be good bets for holiday campsites. Springy Point even had a few reservations available on Wednesday. Get your credit card handy and call (877) 444-6777.

Coeur d’Alene River drainage: Main river campgrounds are open, but access remains closed to Bumblebee and Jordan Camp areas. Snow inhibits access to popular attractions such as Shadow Falls and Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars.

Lookout Pass: Leave the mountain bike home and bring skis. The Route of the Hiawatha rail-trail likely won’t be free of snow until June 12, said Dean Cooper at Lookout Pass Ski area.

Trail access is possible for a way from the St. Joe River side, but snow still covers many of the trestles.

Lake Elsie remains snowbound, with the road open for only about 5 miles above Sunshine Mine.

Priest Lake: Developed campgrounds are open with the exception of Osprey, where the water system has been malfunctioning. Roads are still impassable north of Nordman. Beaver Creek area is open, and the trail is passable to Upper Priest Lake, although it may not be maintained by the weekend.

St. Joe River: All campgrounds along the river should be open even though the river is flowing dangerously high. Access to higher elevations is unlikely.

The road from St. Regis, Mont., to the St. Joe River has not officially opened.

The first full season of rentals at the old Red Ives ranger residence is already booked for every weekend of the summer, with only a few scattered single days still available.

Sullivan Lake: The main campground is open and Noisy Creek Campground should be ready for the weekend, although the access road was washed out earlier this week.

Crescent Lake campground is flooded and will be closed, probably for the season. Most of the undeveloped camping areas along Sullivan Creek are soggy at best.

Snow clogs road access to Gypsy Meadows. Don’t expect to reach the Salmo Trailhead until at least late June.

Cascades: A record snowpack covers most of the mountain range. In the Naches Ranger District, northwest of Yakima, only about half of the campgrounds are predicted to be open for the weekend.

In the Oregon Cascades, the recent balmy temperatures weren’t enough to melt all the snow blanketing campgrounds. Forest officials warn that nearly 5,000 camping reservations are still in peril of being snowed out for the holiday.

Blue Mountains: South of Pomeroy, Wash., campers likely will be jamming into sites along rivers such as the Tucannon. Higher camping areas are still inaccessible.

New this year, vehicles parked in many state-managed camping and public access areas along the Tucannon will be required to have a Washington Fish and Wildlife Department Stewardship Access decal.

The permit is free with hunting and fishing licenses or it can be purchased from license dealers for $10.

Some National Forests, including the Umatilla, require their own Trail Park passes in order to use certain popular trailheads.

Eastern Washington: Dryland lakes and resort campgrounds could be among the most pleasant places to camp this weekend, especially since the fishing should be great in areas that are not influenced by runoff.

Parks along the Snake River operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are likely to be hopping.

State parks will be the hottest targets for people displaced from traditional higher-elevation camping areas.

Campers who made reservations well in advance are in good shape. Those vying for the remaining sites on a first-come basis had better put the paper down and head out - now!