You might think twice before storing the skis or snowboard.
Crystal Mountain Resort remains just one of seven North American resorts still in operation, and if all the stars align, snow lovers could be carving turns well into early summer
“Right now it’s kind of up in the air if we’ll get to July like last year, and it all depends on the weather,” Tiana Enger, the Crystal Resort marketing director said.
The weather has been quite warm this week, but surprisingly two inches of new snow fell Thursday night on the summit.
Enger says they’ll know more on extending the season this week after looking at the long-range forecast.
“There is an 80 percent chance that we’ll get into the first two weekends of June,” said Enger.
Through Friday, there was 50 inches at the base and 115 inches on the summit.
The season snowfall total is 580 inches, and the record is the 612 inches that fell in 2010-11 when the resort stayed open until July 16. The previous record was 598 inches in 1998-99.
Lifts operating Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. are Chinook Express, Forest Queen, Rainier Express, Green Valley and the Mt. Rainier Gondola.
The Snorting Elk Bowl and beyond are closed for trail maintenance at least one more weekend. The new Airbag and some park features will move to Green Valley once Forest Queen closes.
Lifts operating during Memorial Day weekend (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m). are Mt. Rainier Gondola, Green Valley and possibly Rainier Express. Lift tickets will be $35 or $40 depending on the lifts that are open.
Crystal will also be open daily this summer for gondola rides, Summit House dining, hiking, disc golf, guided horseback riding and more beginning June 16. Some activities are dependent on snow coverage.
Final word on coastal razor clams
Before the razor clam digging season began last October, state Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers felt they’d be reluctant to allow much, or any, digging time this spring. And in general, that proved to be true.
“At the onset we thought we’d have less digging opportunities than in previous years because of the major decline in populations particularly at Copalis,” said Dan Ayres, the head state Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish manager. “Before the season, I felt if we got to April then anything beyond that would be frosting on the cake.”
“Some of the challenges we faced this season was bad weather,” Ayres said. “If we had better weather, I’m sure it would’ve been a totally different scenario. At Twin Harbors we got to May, and we also provided more digging at Mocrocks.”
The harvest levels at Twin Harbors was lower than it had been in the last three years. The lack of clams at Copalis definitely brought down the total number of clams harvested. Long Beach had a pretty standard season.
“Mocrocks by far had more clams dug this year than last year,” Ayres said. “It was almost 100,000 more clams dug than over the previous 10 year average so Mocrocks is in good shape.”
Past spawning success at Mocrocks has led to an increased level of recruit-sized clams, and the current population is just above the five-year average for both adult and juvenile clams.
This past winter and spring. a total of 195,000 digger trips were made with about 2.6 million harvested for an average of 13.2 clams per person (the first 15 clams dug regardless of size or condition is a daily limit).
In the 2010-11 season, there were 244,500 digger trips with 3.2 million dug for a 13.1 average.
“When you look back, it was the lowest number of digger trips since the 2000-2001 season (180,000 digger trips with 2.5-million clams harvested),” Ayres said. “Indeed, we had less opportunity this year as predicted, but overall people were pretty satisfied with the season.
“We’re looking forward to next year, and have already started our stock assessment at Long Beach where initial results showed a strong recruitment of little guys,” Ayres said. “Some of the little clams from last year have grown into adult size clams so it looks like there could be an increase at Long Beach. I hope that bodes well for the rest of the coastal beaches.”
Notes
• The public is invited to view a partial eclipse of the sun 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 20 at the Goldendale Observatory State Park, 1602 Observatory Drive in Goldendale. Details: www.parks.wa.gov/events.
• The Leavenworth Bird Fest is Sunday. There will be field trips, seminars, wildflower walks, arts events, and family activities. Details: www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com.
• Some of the Lake Easton State Park campgrounds are closed until May 25 to remove diseased trees, but will reopen by Memorial Day weekend. A disease has infested Douglas-fir trees near the park’s western campground, day-use area and boat launch. To help reduce the risk to visitors the trees are being removed this week. Details: www.parks.wa.gov/parks.
• Seattle Parks and Recreation is offering low cost life jackets June 16, July 21, Aug. 18 and Sept. 15 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Evans Pool, 7201 E. Green Lake Dr. North in Seattle. Cost for infant to youth large is $20, and for teens to adults is $30. Details: 206-684-7440.
• With the recent warm weather there is now a very high avalanche danger on Mount St. Helens. A ranger will be on the mountain to update climbers, and information is posted at the Climbing Register at Lone Fire Resort and Marble Mountain Sno-Park. Details: 360-449-7800. For weather updates, go to www.nwac.us/weatherdata/mtsthelens/now/.
• The Washington Butterfly Association free lecture titled “Butterflies of China” with Dr. Robert Pyle is 7 p.m. June 9 at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St. in Seattle. Details: 206-364-4935 or go to www.naba.org/Chapters/nabaws.
• The Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is hosting the “Strength in Numbers” mountain bike movie 6:45 p.m. May 23 at The Mountaineers Club, 7700 Sand Point Way N.E. in Seattle. Cost is $10 for members, and $15 for the public. Details: 206-521-6001 or www.evergreenmtb.org.
• The Washington Waterfowl Association in the Yakima Valley is hosting the Washington State Duck Calling Championship 7 a.m. Aug. 25 at Columbia Park in Kennewick. For details, call 509-786-9196.
• The Ski to Sea Race and Festival in the Bellingham area is May 26-27. This seven-legged relay race covers 90 miles with 500 teams participating in seven sports.
The relay race starts with cross country skiing and downhill skiing/snowboarding on Mount Baker, transitions to running and road biking down the mountain, canoeing (two-man) along the Nooksack River, mountain biking from Ferndale to Bellingham’s waterfront and ends with kayaking in Bellingham Bay. Festival includes a parade, car show and block party, culminates with the Fairhaven Festival. Details: www.skitosea.com.
• The state Department of Natural Resources has opened the Tiger Mountain State Forest mountain bike trails. The trails provide mountain biking opportunities for all skill levels. The trails are located at the Iverson Railroad Grade, Northwest Timber and Preston Railroad Grade trails. Details: http://tinyurl.com/tigermtnCQ.
• The Washington State Parks and Recreation is hosting the Discover Outer Space event 3 p.m. to sunset June 5 at Goldendale Observatory State Park, 1602 Observatory Drive in Goldendale. Visitors can view the rare orbit of Venus traveling past the face of the sun. The last time this occurred was in 2004, and won’t happen again until December of 2117. A Discover Pass Permit is required to attend this event. Details: 509-773-3141 or www.parks.wa.gov/events.
• The Washington Sea Grant and the Gig Harbor Boat Shop are hosting a Coast Guard-approved First Aid at Sea course 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 8 at the Eddon Boatyard, 3805 Harborview Dr. in Gig Harbor. Cost is $80 ($40 for active commercial fishermen). Pre-registration is required. Details: 206-543-1225.
• The Northshore Trout Unlimited meeting is the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center, 18560 1st Ave. NE in Shoreline. Details: http://northshoretu.blogspot.com.
• Mount St. Helens climbing permits are on sale. Permits are required year-round to climb above 4,800 feet. Details: 360-891-5007 or www.mshinstitute.org.
• Issaquah Alps Trails Club has weekly hikes and meets in downtown Issaquah. Details: www.issaquahalps.org.
• The Washington Trails Association offers statewide trip reports and conditions. Details: www.wta.org.
• The Seattle Audubon Society offers field trips and classes every month. Details: 206-523-4483 or www.seattleaudubon.org.
• The Western Bass Club meets every third Thursday at 7 p.m. at Kennydale Hall in Renton. Details: www.westernbassclub.comor www.nickbarrfishing.com.
• The new nonprofit Cascade Musky Association is looking for members. Cost is $25, or $35 for a couple/family membership. Details: www.cascademuskyassociation.com or www.wafish.com.
Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com
Article source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2018245561_outn20.html
