Christmas Tree Run NORTH - 12/8/07 - Pacific Northwest Backroad Adventures Forum

Steve · #1 (**permalink**) 09-28-2007, 11:47 AM

Christmas Tree Run NORTH

Date: Saturday, December 8, 2007
Meeting Place: Cottage Cafe, 911 E. 1st Street on the east side of Cle Elum
Meet for Breakfast: 9:00 AM
Departure Time: 10:00 AM

After some discussion of last year's experiences, we decided to have the trip on the East side of Snoqualmie Pass in the Cle Elum area. Though it's a little further for those us who live on the West side of the Cascades, there will be less people and less stuck vehicles to deal with than if we held the run near North Bend.

We can obtain Christmas tree permits at Roslyn Cyclery on the way through town.

Details can be found at the official Christmas tree forest service site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/passes/christmas/

You're welcome to attend even if you plan on putting up a plastic Christmas Tree or already have your tree. It's just a good excuse to get out in the mountains.

Be sure to plan accordingly for winter conditions.

Steve

smbisig · #2 (**permalink**) 09-28-2007, 03:36 PM

here is a link for the basic rules and information from last years christmas tree hunting season.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/passes/christmas/

Steve · #3 (**permalink**) 09-28-2007, 04:14 PM

Where did you guys go last year? West side or East side?

crikeymike · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 10:34 AM

We were on the west side last year, off tinkham road. The trees weren't too fantastic up there. A few weeks after that, I was at Evan's Creek, and there were some really nice looking trees way up top, off the forest service road. I'm not sure if you're allowed to pull them out of there or not though.

For the past 2 years i've gone up Tinkham road area, then up high on some road which i don't remember the name/number of.

Steve · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 11:07 AM

Does anybody have any experience on the east side of Snoqualmie Pass, such as by Easton, Cle Elum or Liberty?

Jerry · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2007, 01:15 AM

Here are some pics of a Christmas Tree Run we did a couple of years ago in the Wallowa Whitman National Forest.

It looks like a lot of snow, but none of the SUV's had to chain up.

I love Christmas Tree Runs! They are always a good time.

Steve · #7 (**permalink**) 10-21-2007, 11:32 PM

I need to start getting serious about locations. Does anybody have any suggestions for areas east of Snoqualmie Pass such as around Easton or Cle Elum?

Steve

Jerry · #8 (**permalink**) 10-22-2007, 06:41 AM

Quote:

I need to start getting serious about locations. Does anybody have any suggestions for areas east of Snoqualmie Pass such as around Easton or Cle Elum?

Christmas Tree Runs are really FUN events for the whole family. Evelyn and I enjoy going even when we don't cut a tree. It is definitely a good time. But, what people don't see is the planning behind the scenes, all of the "What If's". Only the trip leader knows about Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, etc. Thank you Trip Leader!

I have NO EXPERIENCE looking for Christmas trees on the east side of Snoqualmie Pass, but believe it to be a wonderful place for the event. My only experience is to have driven some of those Forest Service roads in the snow and initial thoughts are (1) north of Roslyn to the east and north of Cle Elum Lake, (2) the west side of Kachess Lake off the 49 Road and (3) the Stampede Pass Road, FR54 and any open spur roads off the main Forest Service roads. As Steven pointed out earlier in this thread, Wenatchee National Forest Christmas tree cutting regulations apply to those areas. http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/passes/christmas/

The amount of snowfall will pretty much dictate where we park. Best-case scenario is drive right to a patch of beautiful Christmas trees on a quiet side road. Worst-case scenario is if there is so much snow the side roads close and main roadways become narrow corridors leaving Sno-Parks (permits required) the only available places to park. http://www.parks.wa.gov/winter/permits.asp Hey, even the worst-case scenario is fun!
Jerry

nightfoam · #9 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 05:40 PM

I wonder if us Valley folks should have our own Christmas Tree run. East of Snoqualmie pass isn't very practical for us, perhaps a smaller run up along the Clackamas east of Estacada? I tried a run last year but it was shortly after the big storms we had and there was no Christmas tree cutting allowed.

Jerry · #10 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007, 09:06 PM

That is probably a good idea. Last year we had a Christmas Tree Run in NE Oregon and an Elk Feeding Run in the Coast Range on the same day. Mike & Linda from Jewell, Oregon held the Elk Feeding Run where families rode the hay wagon out to the elk herd and kids threw hay from the wagon. Sounds like fun. I don't think two winter events spread that far apart geographically would interfere with each other.
Jerry