Black Diamond NOW

Ever Wonder Why We Have The "Enumclaw Plateau"?

2013-05-21T07:03:00-07:00

The answer to the above question is pretty simple - we can thank Mt. Rainier. Between 5,600 and 5,700 years ago the White/Green/Duwamish watershed was a very different place. In fact, the Duwamish didn't exist as a river and Puget Sound extended east as far as Kent and Auburn of today. The Duwamish was more of an embayment and given the depth of water here, terms like fjord were sometimes used. But then we had the Osceola mud flow, also known as a lahar.

A huge mudflow or landslide took nearly 1 cubic mile from the summit of Mt. Rainier. This one single event created 200 square miles of land in a matter of hours, with waves of mud 20 feet to 600 feet high. This wall of mud had the consistency of wet concrete and traveled up to 60 mph. This mudflow destroyed everything in its path, uprooting entire old-growth forests. It hit Puget Sound with such force and with so much material that it flowed underwater for 15 miles, maybe farther. An area of hundreds of square miles was covered with mud and debris up to 350 feet deep.

This was not an eruption but a mudflow that removed the top 2,000 feet from the mountain and created the modern summit that we see today. Why a mudflow or lahar? According to USGS:

"Larhars are common at Mount Rainier, because its mantle of snow and ice provides water when melted, and parts of the upper flanks of the volcano contain abundant loose, weak, hydrothermally altered rock. Hydrothermal alteration occurs where hot, sulfur-rich volcanic gases encounter groundwater. The sulfur gases dissolves into the groundwater creating sulfuric acid that attacks and leaches chemical components from the rock. Commonly, the reactions replace much of the rock with clay minerals that are weak and water saturated. The presence of abundant soft, wet clay aids in mobilizing the collapsed material, allowing it to flow like a liquid."

In my simple terms, acids and gases turn rock into clay and create a viscous substance that can literally fall off the mountain under pressure from snow and gravity. The Electron mudflow from 500 years ago was just a smaller version of the Osceola lahar. As noted in the photo that follows, signs of Osceola remain today along the White River near Greenwater.

So back to the Enumclaw Plateau. The result of the Osceola mudflow was to add from 30 to 100 feet of clay creating the plateau we now see. As we know, dense clay doesn't absorb water well and as a result, we can often see standing water across the plateau making farming difficult. More recently formed topsoil is often 1 foot or less deep. Perhaps this accounts for why today we seem to have less crop oriented farming here than we do ranching. In contrast, sediment flowing downstream from the White and Green rivers over 5,000 years have deposited lots of rich new soil into the Puyallup, Auburn and Kent valleys, making this area super rich for farming (and warehouses, unfortunately).

More Mt. Rainier Mining History

2013-05-20T06:53:00-07:00

Several weeks ago I did a post about the Washington Mining & Milling Co. (WMMC) and the remains of their old copper mine located along the Ipsut Creek trail in Mount Rainier National Park. Since then, I've learned a bit more about this mine and the many others that existed at one time within the Park.

The life cycle of WMMC's mine was short as were most. In total, 38 lode claims were filed by WMMC. Production appears to have peaked in 1908 and 1909 when they employed a year round crew of 7 to 15 men. But by 1910 they had released 24 of these claims with the remaining claims relinquished by 1913. The goal was to find gold, silver and precious metals but just a little copper was found here - and this in uneconomic concentrations. Park ranger Haines eventually found mine remains in 1950 that included 4 buildings, the mine entrance and incline rail path - even some decent furniture left in one of the buildings.

Miners working the WMMC mine had it easy compared to most. The coal mining town of Fairfax was located just downstream along the Carbon River providing miners with decent year round housing. Most other miners working mines within the park were not so lucky. Following is a picture of one of the better cabins located along the White River in 1910. Looks comfy.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, SAR093, circa July 1910

Between 1905 and 1908 there were a total of 300 mining claims filed within the Park. Most were on the west side or northeast and virtually all proved to be unprofitable. Old park records indicate that most claimants stayed just long enough in the summer to construct cabins, cut timber and hunt freely for game - then abandom their claim. I guess this would be called recreational mining. In 1908, congress passed legislation prohibiting new mines in the park and also provided that the Park Service could buy workable claims at "fair market value". A mine could be designated as being a workable mine if two conditions existed: (1) $500 or more of improvements had been made to the mine since 1908 and (2) evidence was given that enough valuable mineral worth existed.

Two mines persisted the longest - the Starbo Mine and Eagle Peak mine. Following is a photo of wildflowers (squaw lilys) at Eagle Peak in 1913.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, WAS1743, circa 1913

Eagle Peak can be seen at the Nisqually entrance and across the river from Cougar Rock. Its on your way to Longmire and Paradise. Between 1914 and 1930 several tunnels, pits, buildings and an 800 foot flume were constructed. The flume was built upstream along the Paradise River and used to supply water for mine power generation. I hadn't thought before about how energy intensive these hard rock mines were. Over 1,100 feet of tunnels were dug here. Clearly not a bonanza though. The first big shipment of ore to the Smelter in Tacoma netted a profit of $7. A second 24 ton shipment yielded a profit of $115. Yet, despite this lack of profits, owners persisted and it took until 1974 for the Park to close the mine, paying all of $6,000 to close this claim.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington, WAS0632, circa 1894

The above photo shows the cookhouse at the Mystery Mine located in the lower Glacier Basin in 1894. Perhaps the most noted mine in Glacier Basin was the Starbo Mine where a total of 41 claims were filed with all but 8 abandoned. 165 acres total. Owners of this mine issued stock based on the promise of big returns. After a while stockholders became impatient only to find that the owners had made false claims. Fraud charges were filed in 1928 and jail time served. Rights to the Starbo mine were sold at sheriff's auction in 1932 for $500. Somehow, the new owners persisted for many years and it took until 1984 for the Park Service to finally buy them out - this the last of the mines to operate in the park.

One last photo of early park cabins, this one with a canvas roof taken in 1909.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, SAR081, circa 1909

Mass Transit Circa 1904 & 1905

2013-05-17T07:19:00-07:00

Stage coaches here in the northwest? Apparently so. The following photo taken in 1904 shows the Parks Stage that served the Redmond - Kirkland route.

Photo courtesy of the Eastside Heritage Center, ORL 79.79.2, circa 1904

Judging from the following photo taken just one year later, Bothell stage service set the standard for being "modern".

Photo courtesy of Bothell Historical Museum and University of Washington Libraries, circa 1905

King County Metro would drool over these ridership numbers. No empty seats here.

More High Lead Logging Pics

2013-05-16T06:54:00-07:00

Earlier this week, I did a post about high lead logging and how this proved to be an important technological breakthrough for the timber industry here in the northwest. Following are some more pictures taken in the early 1900's. This first photo shows a donkey engine used by the Neukirchen brothers for their operations here around Lake Sawyer.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, Clark Kinsey photographer

The following photo shows a donkey engine used in Ravensdale. Look how nicely cut their wood fuel was. Spar tree in the background.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, Darius Kinsey photographer

Following is another Darius Kinsey photo. It paints a pretty bleak picture of the impacts of clear cutting.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries

And this last photo taken by Clark Kinsey, son of Darius.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, Clark Kinsey photographer, CKK01245, n.d.

Sewer Rate Trends - Burdened by Debt

2013-05-15T07:18:00-07:00

As a member of the King County Regional Water Quality Committee, I regularly receive updates regarding planned future sewer rates. Hardly a sexy topic but a big deal budget item none the less. In Black Diamond, our sewer rates include two cost factors - first is the costs our city incurs to deliver City sewage to King County collection mains (in City sewer mains and pump station maintenance) and then second, the cost charged by King County for processing this sewage. As a result of past County Council decisions, primarily a decision to fund the new Brightwater Treatment Facility, King County costs have escalated dramatically. To me, the most disturbing factor here is that debt burden now accounts for the vast majority of current costs/rates and the county continues to fund new capital investment by borrowing to the tune of $100 million plus per year. "Houston, we have a problem".

As shown above for the year 2014, operating expense, even with Brightwater now fully operational, currently accounts for just 23% of our current monthly sewer bill. With debt service now at 56% of our monthly bill and growing, ratepayers are now paying the bill for past spending. And this bill will grow even more in future years. What to do?

First, it's my observation that the political pressure to keep current rates low is much higher than I would have thought. Not a lot of kudos given out to elected officials for raising sewer rates. So, as long as financial markets will continue to fund the accumulation of debt, there are no incentives for elected officials to adopt a pay as you go strategy. In fact, the reverse is true. But, whatever the merits of Brightwater and decisions made in the past, in my judgement there should be no further excuse for not paying our way as we go. Yet today, in current budgets, over $100 million per year is still budgeted to be borrowed. As I have been most vocal in Committee meetings, it's time that we at least begin to pay our way from this day forward. NO MORE BORROWING from our future!!!!

High Lead Logging - Technology Breakthrough Circa 1904

2013-05-14T07:11:00-07:00

If I were to identify the single biggest "technological breakthrough" here in the northwest during the early 1900's, it would have to be High Lead Logging. The problem for the logging industry at the time was that the trees were so big and so heavy, how to get them from forest to mill. The following schematic illustrates the principles:

You needed cables, a power source to winch these cables, tree stumps for anchorage and a big tall spar tree. Finding tree stumps to provide anchorage was no problem. Finding big tall spar trees, such as the one shown in the photo that follows also was not a problem - so long as you could find someone brave enough to scale the tree.

Photo courtesy of Lake Sawyer Grocery, Lake Sawyer sawmill spar tree, circa 1920's

Being one who is acrophobia challenged, I can't imagine standing on top of a tree like this or even being hung from the cables so high up as these two are.

What to do for a power source to operate the cables? Wood fired steam powered donkey engines of course.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, CUR836, Asahel Curtis photographer, circa 1911

The above photo shows the railroad loading operation at Camp 1 of McDougal and Biladeau Logging Company in Ravensdale. Wood fueled steam donkey engine on your left and railroad on your right. Technically, this operation wasn't high lead logging, but it was high lead rail loading/yarding using the same principles. The following photo shows a logging operation at Hobart and their donkey engine in the early 1900's.

Photo courtesy of Maple Valley Historical Society and University of Washington Libraries, 90.31.4, n.d.

To show how prized these donkey engines were, the following photo shows one being transported across a river.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, Pickett 1553, Lee Pickett photographer, circa 1912

Donkey engines were actually in use much earlier than this but by the time that the total high lead logging process evolved, it took a while. Following is a photo of a donkey engine being used in Wilkeson dating back all the way to 1893.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, WAT021, Alvin Waite photographer, circa 1893

Connecting the dots, the following photo shows high lead logging technology during it's prime. Once again, the spar tree was key. By being able to pick up one end of a log and drag it across a debris strewn landscape, transport and loading all of a sudden became much much easier and enabled the growth of an industry that played a formative role in our history.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, Darius Kinsey photographer

Enumclaw Public Schools Circa 1915

2013-05-13T07:18:00-07:00

School buses dating back to the early 1900's? Apparently so. Enumclaw School District 170 had the most modern of student transportation in 1915 as shown in the photo that follows.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, UW28283z, R.C. Urie photographer, circa 1915

Where did school districts get the money to pay for such expensive vehicles back then? State funding? Even the buildings look first rate including Enumclaw High School in 1909.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, WAS0293, Pierson & Co. photographers, circa 1909

And judging from the following photo of a handball court constructed at the Jr. High in 1934, it would appear that schools were not lacking for amenities back then.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, UW20754z, circa 1934

Makes me curious about how schools were funded early in the 20th century compared to today. Did they rely on property taxes as we do today? Did they require 60% voting majorities to pass a levie back then, or were levies even required? How did we morph school financing from where we were early in the 1900's to where we are today? Somethings broken today!

Duwamish River Superfund Site Cleanup - Update

2013-05-10T07:18:00-07:00

Our King County Regional Water Quality Committee recently received a briefing by staff about the status of cleaning up the Duwamish River Superfund sites. Following years of studies, meetings, negotiations and political wrestling, EPA has now released its Proposed Cleanup Plan based on the so called "preferred alternative". Public comment will continue to be heard thru June 13.

The first thing to know is that there is NO FUND to cleanup Superfund sites. Funding for cleanup efforts are the responsibility of the primary historical contributors, including King County, the City of Seattle, the Port of Seattle and the Boeing Company. Cleanup costs are currently estimated to total $305 million. As we understand it now, it does not appear that King County's obligations will result in a material increase in sewer rates for county residents.

The use of four technologies/methods are proposed:

Removal - this means dredging and physically hauling away contaminated sediment that has accumulated on the river bottom. Accomplishing this is no simple task as the risks of spreading contaminated sediment during the process of removal is signficant and it has a high price tag. Therefore, use of this approach is typically reserved for just the highest concentration sites.
Capping - this means covering the riverbottom with sand and soil based materials to keep existing contaminants from spreading and providing a cap that keeps bottom dwelling fish and shellfish from coming into direct contact with contaminants.
Enhanced natural recovery - relies on a combination of capping and sediment that accumulates naturally as upstream sediment moves downstream.
Monitored natural recovery - the same as above without any capping. This approach is reserved for the least contaminated sites.

The following spreadsheet summarizes the planned use of each method across total superfund site acreage.

Are there any guarantees about plan success? Not really. But better to have a plan and get moving and evaluate progress along the way. If successful, how clean will the Duwamish be? Well, clean is a relative term. As clean as Ravensdale creek - not. As clean as other Puget Sound waterways - probably better than many, including Lake Washington, as the following graphic shows. PCB concentrations are used for purposes of these comparisons.

Tinsmithing

2013-05-09T07:11:00-07:00

I recently ran across a photo of Division Street in downtown Auburn from the early 1900's and couldn't help but notice one of the storefront signs advertising a Tin Shop. We don't see that anymore.

Photo courtesy of White River Valley Museum and University of Washington Libraries, image no. 490, circa 1908

Remembering our past visits to Colonial Williamsburg, where tinsmiths demonstrated their trade for the tourists, I decided to learn a bit more. As a metal, tin offers some real advantages. It's light weight, fairly strong, doesn't puncture easily, won't tarnish in the air and is proof against liquids such as vinegar. Because it is also quite malleable, it often served the role that plastics and other composites do today in our kitchens or as a coating for steel and metals of higher strength.

The above photo shows a cup being formed with flux applied prior to being soldered. Being a tinsmith required very few tools and may be one reason why manufacturing of tin products became such an artisan skill and profession.

I still have a couple of old tin beer bugs made in the German fashion with a glass bottom and several heart shaped cookie cutters from my parents' era. No tarnish yet.

One vestige of this history that remains today is our continued use the term "tinsnips".

Soos Creek Hatchery - Then & Now

2013-05-08T07:08:00-07:00

While exploring the Soos Creek Natural Area and current streamside restoration efforts (featured in yesterday's post), we stopped by the hatchery to see what was happening and were treated to a personal tour of facilities by hatchery staff. Very fun. As it turns out, the Soos Creek Hatchery facility is among the oldest in the state having begun operation in 1901. The following photo shows the facility as it was back then.

Photo courtesy of the White River Valley Museum, PO-00244A-B, circa 1901

The facility today looks much the same as it did in 1950.

Photo courtesy of the White River Valley Museum, PO-00547, circa 1950

The current hatchery is noted by Washington Department of Fish & Wildife for it's high survival rates and now raises and releases fall Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, and both Winter and Summer run Steelhead. Saturday we saw steelhead at different stages in their growth cycle from eggs now maturing (note the eyes already showing on the eggs):

to young smolt growing up and hungry.

Both of the above photos were taken inside the building where initial growth occurs. Eventually, these little guys are moved to larger environs outside until they are ready for release. Some of the steelhead are transferred for eventual release in the Green River at facilities at Palmer and Icy Creek.

And then Pat showed us a couple of small trout rearing tanks. Nothing small about these trout, nearly lunkers already. The inside scoop is that these trout will be released into Lake Morton near the end of this month. Get your fishing poles ready.

Thanks Pat for the imprompto guided tour!

Streamside Restoration - Soos Creek Hatchery Natural Area

2013-05-07T07:03:00-07:00

The above photo taken at the Soos Creek Hatchery Natural Area shows some of the progress being made in removing stream side invasives and planting new trees to replace them. For reference, Soos Creek is a major tributary of the Green River and an important salmon and steelhead bearing stream. Ravensdale Creek, Lake Sawyer and Covington Creek all drain into Soos Creek. Protecting water quality here serves to enhance our local upstream fishery. As we look at water quality sampling results throughout the watershed, two issues stand out where improvement is most needed - temperatures should be lower and dissolved oxygen levels should be higher. The two are inter-related in that the lower the temperature, the higher the capacity of water to hold oxygen. These issues are most acute during summer months when flows are lowest and ambient temperatures highest.

What can we do to lower stream temperatures and raise levels of dissolved oxygen? One of the simplest and most effective is to provide shade and tree cover along streams. Over time, much of the native riparian forest cover was removed by man, often to be replaced by invasives such as himilayan blackberries and reed canary grass - both of which are very difficult to get rid of. Just cutting them down will do little good as they just grow back again. The photo above shows where a porous black matting has been laid down over these invasives and selected trees planted. Our Middle Green River Coalition (MGRC) typically uses black matting in areas infested with blackberries as this will eventually kill the roots and prevent regrowth.

The above photo shows another method of stream side restoration - planting willow and cottonwood stakes all along the stream. Notice what appear to be sticks poked in the ground and the reed canary grass currently covering the stream side. Willow and cottonwood are very hardy and will grow to eventually shade-out the reed canary grass. Though just planted this winter, leaves are already sprouting and they look very healthy. When they grow, they will also provide the shade needed to help keep stream temperatures lower.

In partnership with King County, MGRC this winter planted 2,500 of these willow/cottonwood stakes along Soos Creek just southwest of the Soos Creek Hatchery. Talk about hard work. It was great to visit the site this past weekend and see some promising initial results - though long-term results will be years away yet. But that's the nature of this type of work, investing now for the long-term.

Hiking to Lake Twentytwo

2013-05-06T07:02:00-07:00

On a beautiful May day what better to do than go hiking. So last Friday Judy and I headed off to hike the trail to Lake Twentytwo - just east of Granite Falls along the Mountain Loop Highway. Even though we found snow at the top, it was shirt sleeves all the way. And the views once there are spectacular. The lake is nestled into the base of Mount Pilchuck and its sheer northern face. One can see where avalanches fall here on a regular basis (on the opposite side of the lake).

The expanse is so large and up close that it's difficult to capture all of the rock face in one photo. Because the area around the lake is open and at 2,500 feet elevation, there was perhaps 3 feet of snow cover still there, though one might expect it to melt down quickly in this weather. Nothing to sit on but some fir bows or your light weight insulation blanket.

The trail itself is 2.7 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain and one might rate this as having moderate difficulty. Wearing boots is highly recommended due to the many small stream crossings and lots of sharp rocks - and currently snow cover for the last 1/2 mile. The Lake Twentytwo area encompasses over 800 acres of forest land set aside by the National Forest Service as a Research Natural Area (RNA). This special designation dates back to 1949 and will permanantly preserve the area for generations to come. Along the trail we saw some of the largest old growth cedar trees that we have seen anywhere. They are just huge and make the hike worthy just to see them. Lake Twentytwo creek drains from the lake down to the river below with the trail roughly paralleling the creek and revealing several beautiful cascading water falls.

To get there from Black Diamond, we recommend going "the back way". Instead of taking I 405 and I 5 north, we took Hwy 18 to Snoqualmie and then headed north following the path of the Snoqualmie River through Fall City, Carnation and Duvall and then on to Monroe. A much prettier drive than going the freeway and probably about as fast. Once in Monroe, follow SR 2, the Stevens Pass Hwy west (left), then turn north (right) on SR 9 connecting to SR 92 which will take you to the small community of Granite Falls. From here, connect to the Mountain Loop Hwy. The trailhead is well marked and will be on your right just past where you enter posted National Forest Service land. A bit of a drive but well worth it.

Log Chutes

2013-05-02T07:24:00-07:00

Of all the challenges faced by early loggers, transportation was perhaps the most vexing. Huge trees that could be felled and bucked but how to get them to a mill. Extending rail to all of these vast timberlands was simply not practical in many cases. Skid roads were one option but required oxen or horses. Why not use gravity? The following photo shows a log chute once used near the old ghost town of Taylor.

Photo courtesy of the Maple Valley Historical Society and University of Washington Libraries, no. 85.126.1, n.d.

Once a log was moved into the chute, it became much easier to drag it along using whatever means of power available - often donkey engines as appears to be the case above. Notice the rigging.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, IND0128, L Heath photographer, circa 1898

With such tall trees, pretty simple engineering and once you were finished logging this area, you just drag these chute logs to the mill too. No waste.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, IND0159, n.d.

As we can see, you could transport some pretty big logs along these chutes. Spanning areas where one might otherwise need to build a bridge is pretty simple. The log base provides all the structure needed.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, circa 1898

A home run would be being able to dump the log directly into a log pond as seen in the following photo. From here, life was made pretty simple.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, IND0735, circa 1897

Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad circa 1880

2013-05-01T07:08:00-07:00

Once again, I find myself venturing into history where I know very little, relying on blog followers out there to help fill in the blanks. In the process, I have learned a lot and thanks for your help and patience. Previously, I focused on the Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad (C&PS) and what a huge impact this railroad had on the development of our community here in Black Diamond. Kind of chicken or egg scenerio, what came first - the railroad or the coal? Fortunately, we had both. And here we have the AA Denny locomotive named after one of Seattle's founders that was then the signature locomotive for the C&PS.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries and the Museum of History & Industry, No. 1983.10.6275, Webster & Stevens, circa 1880

Several things about the above photo are of particular interest. First, you might note that this is a passenger train and not the train we think of hauling coal and wood products from mines and mills to market. This was a people train at least at times, meaning that passenger traffic provided significant economic value to our local railroads even back in the 1880's. Once established, I guess that a railroad then (and now?) cared less about what it actually transported other than the $$ revenues that it might generate.

Next I look at the locomotive itself. Steam for sure. Looks like wood was the fuel back then, before coal evenually became king for the railroads, and notice the "bell" shaped structure above the smoke stack. Today, we call these scrubbers and require them to be installed to reduce pollution. Back then, I expect that these structures were intended simply to keep cinders from igniting fires as the train went along. Still very interesting.

Another photo of the AA Denny, circa 1880

And one more:

Finding Beauty Everywhere - A Lesson Learned

2013-04-30T07:17:00-07:00

Always eager to explore new natural areas, particularly those that link to our region's history, I headed off last week to the Black River Riparian Forest and Wetlands that is located in Renton. You may recall that the Black River once connected Lake Washington and the Cedar river to the Duwamish river and was dammed as part of building the ship canal to Seattle and Elliott Bay. To say that I was disappointed when I got there would be an understatement. Quite frankly, I was repulsed. It looked like a cess pool.

Scum on the surface and dirty brown. Then there was the underwear hanging from shrubs along the trail and other litter of dubious origin. Hardly the park I expected it to be. No stink though so I decided to walk the trail for a ways, watching where I stepped.

Despite all that man can inflict, nature does have a way of fighting to survive and there is beauty even here.

It was this butterfly flittering about that first caught my attention. And then the noise of all the birds including this beautiful Spotted Towhee.

Even humming birds and more butterflies.

Maybe it was the weather, but still a good lesson. In some places, you just have to look a bit harder for the beauty.

Washington Mining & Milling Co. Copper Mine circa 1899

2013-04-29T07:12:00-07:00

While hiking the Ipsut Creek Trail last week we stumbled across a side trail with a sign labeled Washington Mining and Milling Co. mine 0.25 miles. The sign doesn't tell you that the trail is straight uphill but no worries.

As you can see, the mine entrance is now barricaded but rail track still remains. Looks like pretty hard rock to me. Couldn't have been easy digging.

Although this is along the Carbon River where there were many coal mines in the late 1800's and early 1900's, from Wilkeson and Carbonado to Fairfax, we were not aware that there were mines further upstream almost to the Carbon glacier. And this one was inside Mount Rainier National Park boundaries which itself dates back to 1899 when the park was first established. Curious, we talked to the park ranger when we got back and he informed us that there were several copper mines in the area. Apparently the Washington Mining & Milling Co. mined copper here for some years and a Funicular, otherwise known as an incline railway, was used to transport workers and supplies up and ore back down. You'll find the trail on your right about a mile upriver from the ranger station and gate. A fun side trip.

Hiking the Ipsut Creek Trails

2013-04-26T07:20:00-07:00

Fortunately we had planned a hike for Wednesday and the weather turned out to be glorious. We chose one of our old favorites - Ipsut Creek located at the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. At one time, you could drive all the way to the Ipsut Creek campgrounds but no longer. The Carbon River continues to chart its own course and the old road has been subject to numerous wash-outs. No direct views of the mountain from here, but plenty of beautiful scenery.

The Carbon River is typically very cloudy from glacier melt but not today. As clear and blue/green as you will find anywhere. Notice how wide the river bed is here and all of the debris. This river can get pretty angry.

In truth, this area is a rainforest and most of the year (like last week), it's not somewhere you might seek out. But when the sun shines, the combination of ferns and mosses along with giant fir and cedar trees makes it spectacular - and it's so close to us here in Black Diamond. We have seen bigger and more numerous old growth Douglas Fir trees here than we have seen anywhere else we've been in the northwest. These are huge trees and well worth the trip just to see them alone.

With closure of the old road to vehicles, this entrance to the Park now makes it possible for bike riders and equistrians to experience the beauty here. There is a small (about 10 vehicle) parking area at the Park entrance where the gate is now permanently closed. You will also find a ranger station and restroom facilities but that is about it. Finding your way to the Ipsut Creek camp grounds will be a trek of about 6 miles with several side trails along the way. The Chenuis Falls trail is very fun and crosses the Carbon River to the north but the swinging bridge to get there is currently washed out as it often is. Maybe later this summer.

Just prior to getting to the Park entrance and closed gate, there are several camp sites located along the river. I don't know who owns this land but these are pretty cool sites and at this early time of year and we still found at least 5 families tent camping here - already. This is only late April during midweek and the parking area at the Park Entrance was already full. Great place.

Everything is so green right now. With a blue sky and white snow on the peaks, how does it get any more beautiful?

I think our next trip here this summer will be a bike ride to the campground, carrying our gear, and camping/hiking out from here. You can either take Ipsut Pass to Mowich Lake (a killer hike - as in it can kill you going verticle nearly 4,000 ft.), a spur trail off the Wonderland Trail to Spray Park (a great but still very challenging hike) or to the Carbon Glacier itself, which is the longest glacier in the lower 48 at 5 miles and also reaching to the lowest elevation. I'm lobbying for Spray Park but whichever route we choose, it will be fun to try the bike/hike combination and expend some calories here.

To get there, take SR 165 to Wilkeson and Carbonado. Continue along past the ghost town of Fairfax until you reach the Ipsut Creek/Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park.

P.S. Thanks to Judy for the photos from her cell phone

Earth Day & Cedar Creek Park Trails

2013-04-25T07:28:00-07:00

Monday was Earth Day and the Middle Green River Coalition (MGRC), led by Lisa Parsons and Courtney Feeney (official park ambassador), had a great day to continue making improvements to Cedar Creek Park trails. Thanks to a $5,000 grant from REI and lots of volunteer help, Cedar Creek park is a real hidden jewel in an area between Covington and Maple Valley that has become quite urban over the last decade. Yet, here we have one of the largest wetlands complexes in King County and trails that make getting out into nature and away from the everyday hum drum of urban life a real escape.

The above photo was taken in January at Cedar Creek park and along one of the trails we can find there (this photo shows the trail that borders Jenkins Creek). Beautiful then and even more beautiful now as spring finally arrives.

Never heard of Cedar Creek park? Pretty hard to find actually. Following is a map prepared by MGRC.

How to get there? There are two hiker images noted in the map above. The only way I know how to get there from Black Diamond is to take Witte road north. Turn left at the entrance to Cedar Downs , just across the street from the Lake Wilderness Golf Course entrance, and continue up the hill, always bearing right as you go. Eventually, you will find an entrance area on you right with a barricade visible. Park here and explore the trail. The unique wetlands complex is located along Jenkins Creek as shown in the map above. A great gettaway to nature and right in our backyard.

Black Diamond School District #190 & Selleck School - A Conversation with Former Teacher Rick Ryerse

2013-04-24T07:00:00-07:00

During the 1970's, shifting population trends and economic realities resulted in dissolution of Black Diamond School District #190, absorbed into the Enumclaw School District, and the closure of the former Selleck elementary school. A more complete timeline can be found at the Our Schools web page maintained by the Enumclaw School District.

Photo courtesy of the Enumclaw School District, circa 1963

The building we see pictured above is our current Black Diamond Elementary School back in the day, not long after it first opened. For more Black Diamond Elementary history, follow this link to Black Diamond History.

While walking the trails and cleaning grafitti off of some culvert pipe in Lake Sawyer Park with Rick Ryerse a while ago, I recalled Rick mentioning that he once taught at both Black Diamond Elementary and the school in Selleck. What better way to learn more about this history than to talk with Rick and he was gracious enough to sit down with me.

As it turns out, Rick's first teaching job was at Black Diamond elementary for the Black Diamond School District. He taught 7th graders in a school that then included grades K thru 8 and he was there for two years spanning 1973 - 1975. Some may recall how hard it was to get a job in early to mid 1970's, particularly teaching jobs. Graduating from college with "modest" academic credentials, according to Rick, he was puzzled as to why was he hired and not someone better "qualified". Well, he had coached girls volleyball and softball before. He could also drive a school bus. That's what they wanted, and so that's what he did.

With transfer of 7th and 8th graders from Black Diamond to Enumclaw in 1975, what to do with Rick? Selleck school, by then part of the Enumclaw school district, needed a teacher for the combined 5th and 6th grade class so off he went.

The above photo shows the Selleck school as it is today - now known as the Pacific States condos. Just three classes with low 20's in each class while Rick was there, combined grades 1 and 2, 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and just 4 teachers - one for each combined class and a specialist. As it turns out, despite the "rough" reputation that Selleck then had, it turned out to be a dream assignment.

Rick's stories of his time there abound.

About the family that lived in a tent but the kids still came to school every day. Although they might be a bit "ripe" by the end of the week without bath facilities, they turned out to be pretty darn good students.
About the teacher sponsored snow ball fights - won't find that today.
About the neighbor next to the school who was sighting his deer rifle from his window shooting over the playground during recess with kids at play. He was found not guilty of reckless endangerment. Go figure - a sign of the times.
About Rick's wooden paddle labeled "the hard way" - just for show these days.
About the student who was being totally incorrigible and how Rick picked the kid up, holding him under his arm so he couldn't bite, and delivering him to his home and mother. Just knocked on the door and walked in. After several episodes and support from parents, this child turned into a pretty decent student and person.

Rick and Terry Ryerse are long time residents of Lake Sawyer and Black Diamond, first moving here in 1974. His time at Selleck continued through 1980 at which time this school was also closed and students transferred to Enumclaw. Rick's teaching career continued with his transfer from Selleck to JJ Smith elementary in Enumclaw where he continued to be a superb educator until retiring in 2004.

Many thanks Rick for your enormous contribution to our community and the many students that you have had such a positive influence on. And thanks too for sharing some of your stories.

Rudge's Green River Gorge Resort circa 1940

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The following photo taken in 1940 shows one of the buildings at what was known at the time as Rudge's Green River Gorge Resort. It was located on the east side of the single lane bridge crossing the Green River Gorge that we still use to this day. It appears to be located right where the road bends sharply south and close to the former Vagabond Motor Inn - the hill in the background appears to be the Franklin hill on the west side.

Photo courtesy of Bill Kombol and Palmer Coking Coal, circa 1940

According to King County Assessor records provided by Bill Kombol, the Rudge family, who owned the resort back then, also owned a gas station nearby known as Jack's Place. Owner John Rudge was of Welsh heritage and a miner then living in Cumberland. Unfortunately, the building pictured above was torn down in 1950 and we can find no remains today of this building or the gas station.

For a really fun description of Rudge's Green River Resort dating back to the 1920's, the promotional pamplet published in 1925 by Louis Jacobin called "A Glimpse of a Charmed Land" provides a great description of the resort"

"The vale above the gorge is also a wonderland, particularly that part of it known as 'Rudge's Green River Gorge,' with its neat hotel, service station, fine cabins, superb parking grounds and ample and modern conveniences for picnic parties, camping parties, playgrounds for children and private dancing auditorium and reception rooms. Rudge's place is a grassy haven beneath the sheltering boughs of beautiful forest trees by the side of mountain streams and cool spurting fountains, and right by the side of the main public highway which leads away through forest edens, rural gardens and on into the most enchanted wonderland ever claimed by civilization."

Now if that isn't marketing prose at it's best, circa 1920's or 2013, I don't know what is. Several years ago I was able to purchase a copy of the full "A Glimpse of a Charmed Land" brochure from the Black Diamond Historical Society at the museum. It's full of great descriptions of area resorts during the 1920's including those that once operated here at Lake Sawyer, Lake 12 and Lake Wilderness. For more history and information about the Gorge, just search this blog for "Green River Gorge" or follow this link.

Thanks again Bill for sharing.