Icicle Creek Area Closed by Flooding
Recent warm temperatures caused flooding that closed the upper Icicle Creek area, including campgrounds and trails.
The popular Icicle Creek Road, which provides access to many popular trailheads and campgrounds, has been closed at Ida Creek due to flooding. Photo by US Forest Service.
Yesterday, the Wenatchee-Okanogan National Forest announced that a massive landslide and washout has forced a closure of roads, trails and campgrounds in the Icicle Valley southwest of Leavenworth. Find more info here.
Forest officials said that in mid-May, a combination of heavy snowpack and rapidly warming temperatures caused a torrent of mud and debris to crash down Doctor Creek, tearing out a section of FR 7605 and sending debris and floodwaters down Icicle Creek. In response to floodwaters and potential road damage, Icicle Creek Road (FR 7600) is closed at Ida Creek until further notice.
The upper Icicle Creek Road provides access to many popular campgrounds and trails. According to the Forest Service, the area serves nearly half a million recreationists each year.
Campgrounds closed are Chatter Creek, Rock Island and Blackpine.
Trails now inaccessible include Icicle Gorge Loop 1596, Chatter Creek
1580, Trout Creek 1555 Icicle Creek 1511, and Blackjack Ridge Trail
1565.
The closure does not affect access to the Eightmile Road and the
popular trailhead for Colchuck Lake, Stuart Lake and the Enchantments.
It is unclear at this point if damage to the road will necessitate closure throughout the summer. Forest officials must wait until floodwaters recede to accurately assess the condition of the Icicle Creek Road, and this probably won't happen until late June. District Ranger Vaughan Marable said in a press release, "It is unfortunate this occurred just before Memorial Day, luckily there were relatively few people in the area, otherwise, this could have had far more serious consequences. We have no estimate on how long the road will be closed; the damage is extensive and substantial.”
In other Memorial Day weekend news, Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced the North Casades Highway (SR 20) had reopened after avalanches during the warming weather had closed the road for about a week.
Officials at Mount Rainer National Park announced that Cayuse Pass reopened noon on Friday, May 23. However, nearby Chinook Pass will remain closed at least through Thursday, June 5. To find more info on mountain passes, visit the WSDOT mountain pass webite.
The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest reported that of the 34 campgrounds normally open for Memorial Day, only 24 are open. Heavy snow has postponed opening 10 and closed many trails. Visitors can check campground opening dates by calling 541-338-7869 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; and 541-822-3799 Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; or, by going to www.hoodoo.com.
Many popular trails are still inaccessible due to heavier than usual snow pack. Hikers are encouraged to check current trip reports on WTA's website or call ahead to ranger stations to find the most current conditions. You can also check Washington Trails Association's trails and road closures page, which has now been updated, for information on flood- or fire-damaged mountain roads and trails.
Hikers are reminded to use caution this Memorial Day weekend while out on trails. Snow pack is heavier than ususal and warming temperatures can cause sudden increases in stream flows or avalanche danger. If in doubt about a stream crossing, turn around.
Have fun hiking and camping this Memorial Day Weekend and find more info at www.wta.org
