Subject: Wenas: Tent Situation
Date: May 14 17:53:39 2002
From: Kelly Cassidy - lostriver at completebbs.com


I seem to remember reading in the paper this weekend that Wenas was temporarily closed due to danger of falling trees. The trees have some root disease that makes them susceptible to blow-down. Before I start unfounded rumors, does anyone else know anything about this? (I've recycled the paper already.)

Kelly Cassidy
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynn & Carol Schulz
To: Tweets ; DidjKid at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2002 8:45 AM
Subject: Wenas: Tent Situation


Tyler & all:
I think the huge field w/ big ponderosa pines is a perfect area for tent camping. Cows graze in there, but the cattle are supposed to be fenced off during Mem'l. Day Weekend. It can be breezy in the afternoon, so bring tent stakes. The road can be dusty. Locate your tent a small distance from the road if you are concerned about that. Some people locate their tents down in the riparian area by the creek, but that's a popular place and can be more crowded. If you want some real privacy and are daring, walk the small (narrow) log across the creek and camp in the grass on the other side of the creek.
The last big field you come to (the one farthest north I think), before the road ends and becomes a trail, is the place where you will probably want to pitch your tent. But there is a smaller field before that where people also camp. Sanicans will be up and down the fields near the Larrison Tree. The "Larrison Tree" where the campfires are is down near the creek, sort of between the two big fields and to the right as you drive in. This is where the announcements are posted.
Something I didn't mention before is that the Wenas Campout is offered by Washington State Audubon. It is offered to Audubon members and their friends. I would think that if you are not a member of Audubon, you could join on the weekend. It's only $20. Here is my orig posting. I've only been there once, so if anyone has additions or corrections to my posts, please put them on Tweeters. Thanks.
Yours, Carol Schulz
-------------------
Sent 5-8-02
Hi Tweets:
Last year I finally got to the Wenas campout. I had thought it would be
super-crowded, and that there might be too much "togetherness". Not so.
The camping area is huge, primitive, and beautiful. We all spread out, and
I did a number of fieldtrips. I had a blast. Here's an article we put in
the Rainier Audubon newsletter this year. It includes some directions.
Hope to see you there. You'll enjoy it.
Yours, Carol Schulz
DesMoines
linusq at att.net
---------------
WENAS CREEK IN E WASHINGTON
Friday, May 24 to Monday May 27, 2002, Memorial Day Weekend
Auduboners and their friends enjoy a variety of natural history and
recreation in a beautiful area that features a fascinating assortment of
spring flora and fauna.
LEADERS: Will meet campers at the campsite.
Join us at the annual Audubon Campout in the Boise Cascade Campground SE of
Ellensburg. The campground has large pine trees, and the nearby creek
provides a
riparian habitat. This wonderful weekend features campfire get-togethers
starting Friday evening. On Sat and Sun up to 16 fieldtrips and programs
per day led by advanced leaders are planned.
Beginner
field trips are also offered. On Monday, there will be morning activites
and a campfire. This huge bird sanctuary and other habitats feature the
special birds of the E WA forests, lakes, mountains, and valleys. East
slope specialties
such as White-headed Woodpeckers, flycatchers, bluebirds, and Calliope
Hummingbirds are in the immediate area. Warblers and other birds are
singing. Gnarly
birders can take long birding hikes into the mountains or drive to nearby
birding sites, and others
can stay in the beautiful
camp area and visit the lake with their families. Kids love the area and
activities too.
MEET: At the camp. Come for the whole weekend, or drop in for part of it.
BRING: Bring your own WATER. Sanicans are provided. Bring all camp
supplies. Hiking boots or sturdy shoes are recommended. Bring binoculars,
and bird, plant, insect, and animal fieldguides if you have them.
DIRECTIONS:
From I-90, take the 2nd Ellensburg (south Ellensburg) exit (it says
Ellensburg, or Canyon Rd).
Travel back north toward town on the main drag about 1/2 mile. Turn left
(west) on Dammon
Rd. This becomes Umtanum Road and turns to a dusty gravel road. You will
be driving SW from Ellensburg. Watch for Bluebirds and other birds. Drive
18 miles to intersection. Take first road to right which is Audubon Rd (N
Wenas Rd) along Wenas Creek. Do not take Maloy Rd, or go down the paved
Wenas Rd on the left. At this point the road becomes very rough. Drive
slowly if you have low clearance. Drive to a bridge on the left. Cross it,
bear right, and the main dirt road closest to the creek will take you ~ 1/2
mile up to the wide campground w/ the big trees. The tree where we meet is
down near the Creek.
From Hwy 410 (Chinook Pass), drive east of Chinook Pass to the intersection
w/ Hwy 12. Turn left onto Cleman Drive. (You will be driving around the
town of Naches.) Bear left near Naches onto Longmire Rd, and stay left
until you reach Wenas Road. Turn left on Wenas Rd, and drive NW past Wenas
Reservoir until you get to the intersection. The intersection is approx 11
miles
NW of Naches. Follow directions above.

----- Original Message -----
From: DidjKid at aol.com
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Monday, May 13, 2002 8:56 PM
Subject: Tent situations at Wenas Creek Campground . . .


Tweeters -

What are the tent situations like at the Wenas Creek Campground during Memorial Day Weekend? Looks like I'm going to head over there for the weekend and I'm wondering about tent logistics . . . any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and Good Birding!

Tyler Davis, 17
Mercer Island, WA
didjkid at aol.com