June 7, Cle Elum Valley Avalanche Photos

As of June 7th, vehicles can get as far as the Fortune Creek junction on the Fish Lake road. Today was the first day (since winter) that our crew got eyes on the two large valley avalanches ...

2008-06-09T09:37:10Z

509ers
As of June 7th, vehicles can get as far as the Fortune Creek junction on the Fish Lake road. Today was the first day (since winter) that our crew got eyes on the two large valley avalanches ...

This Boulder Creek Avalanche slide path. This slide severely damaged a cabin near the Fish Lake road.

2008-06-09T09:38:42Z

509ers
This Boulder Creek Avalanche slide path. This slide severely damaged a cabin near the Fish Lake road.

The Boulder slide debris near the run-out (just before Fish Lake road).

2008-06-09T09:40:22Z

509ers
The Boulder slide debris near the run-out (just before Fish Lake road).

Nicole and Pam wouldn't have wanted to be here in mid-February!

2008-06-09T09:40:56Z

509ers
Nicole and Pam wouldn't have wanted to be here in mid-February!

Our rivers and creeks are jammed with logs! An example up Fish Lake road.

2008-06-09T09:41:36Z

509ers
Our rivers and creeks are jammed with logs! An example up Fish Lake road.

The Cle Elum Valley is beautiful!

2008-06-09T09:41:55Z

509ers
The Cle Elum Valley is beautiful!

You are looking at the bottom of the Fortune Avalanche. Check out the mature trees in the forefront. Fortune Creek is below. So is our 4W301 trail, although you can’t see it because of ...

2008-06-09T09:43:54Z

509ers
You are looking at the bottom of the Fortune Avalanche. Check out the mature trees in the forefront. Fortune Creek is below. So is our 4W301 trail, although you can’t see it because of ...

Fortune Creek near the Van Epps junction.

2008-06-09T09:44:14Z

509ers
Fortune Creek near the Van Epps junction.

This is a rather deep patch of snow hanging on where the Fortune slide came down. We estimated the depth at 6 feet near the middle.

2008-06-09T09:46:17Z

509ers
This is a rather deep patch of snow hanging on where the Fortune slide came down. We estimated the depth at 6 feet near the middle.

Eugene works its way through the debris field.

2008-06-09T09:46:40Z

509ers
Eugene works its way through the debris field.

We have a lot of work to do in this area!

2008-06-09T09:47:05Z

509ers
We have a lot of work to do in this area!

You are looking at the bottom of the main slide path. The slide originated 2,000 feet above this, so you can imagine the energy it had generated by this point. Check out the mature trees; ...

2008-06-09T09:48:57Z

509ers
You are looking at the bottom of the main slide path. The slide originated 2,000 feet above this, so you can imagine the energy it had generated by this point. Check out the mature trees; ...

The area topography actually directed the massive slide into three divisions near the bottom. You are still looking at the largest. Fortune Creek is below.

2008-06-09T09:51:08Z

509ers
The area topography actually directed the massive slide into three divisions near the bottom. You are still looking at the largest. Fortune Creek is below.

This is a view of the second, and smallest division. The trees to the left and right divide this section from the other two.

2008-06-09T09:52:29Z

509ers
This is a view of the second, and smallest division. The trees to the left and right divide this section from the other two.

This is the bottom of the 2nd finger.

2008-06-09T09:52:57Z

509ers
This is the bottom of the 2nd finger.

This is a photo of the third finger. The power of this avalanche was impressive!

2008-06-09T09:53:46Z

509ers
This is a photo of the third finger. The power of this avalanche was impressive!

Blurry photo, but you can get an idea of the carnage. This is the middle section.

2008-06-09T09:54:39Z

509ers
Blurry photo, but you can get an idea of the carnage. This is the middle section.

Photos don’t do the avalanche justice; this is the smallest finger of the slide. It didn’t quite carry the speed and power to take out the timber all the way to the creek.

2008-06-09T09:56:35Z

509ers
Photos don’t do the avalanche justice; this is the smallest finger of the slide. It didn’t quite carry the speed and power to take out the timber all the way to the creek.

Just another batch of trees completely destroyed.

2008-06-09T09:58:43Z

509ers
Just another batch of trees completely destroyed.

You can see here where the slide originated, approximately 1,500 feet above this photo (in mid-February).

2008-06-09T09:59:25Z

509ers
You can see here where the slide originated, approximately 1,500 feet above this photo (in mid-February).

The aftermath of the slide looked much more impressive after the snow melt. Scott (middle), Russ (left) and I were one of the first to see it right after it happened. We knew it was big, b ...

2008-06-09T10:01:20Z

509ers
The aftermath of the slide looked much more impressive after the snow melt. Scott (middle), Russ (left) and I were one of the first to see it right after it happened. We knew it was big, b ...

This gives you a good view of the slide path. Remember how much snow we had in mid-February? Too much for this mountain to hold on to!

2008-06-09T10:02:09Z

509ers
This gives you a good view of the slide path. Remember how much snow we had in mid-February? Too much for this mountain to hold on to!

Kyle, Nicole, and Russ check out the snow deposit about 400 feet above the deposition.

2008-06-09T10:02:49Z

509ers
Kyle, Nicole, and Russ check out the snow deposit about 400 feet above the deposition.

Just more damaged timber.

2008-06-09T10:03:21Z

509ers
Just more damaged timber.

The power of Mother Nature is scary sometimes!

2008-06-09T10:04:13Z

509ers
The power of Mother Nature is scary sometimes!

The bottom of the main slide.

2008-06-09T12:49:37Z

509ers
The bottom of the main slide.

We are standing where Don May and his crew groom snowmobile trails in the winter. This slide would have been horrible if it had happened during a busy weekend day or when Don’s crew was g ...

2008-06-09T10:06:45Z

509ers
We are standing where Don May and his crew groom snowmobile trails in the winter. This slide would have been horrible if it had happened during a busy weekend day or when Don’s crew was g ...

An experienced Kayaker tests his skills on the Cle Elum river during a contest last Saturday.

2008-06-09T10:07:51Z

509ers
An experienced Kayaker tests his skills on the Cle Elum river during a contest last Saturday.

This is a controlled contest setting. As mentioned, the rivers and creeks are extremely dangerous right now due to high, swift water and log jams.

2008-06-09T10:08:46Z

509ers
This is a controlled contest setting. As mentioned, the rivers and creeks are extremely dangerous right now due to high, swift water and log jams.

Uncle Russ (middle) is telling another story. I think he is losing his audience.

2008-06-09T10:09:39Z

509ers
Uncle Russ (middle) is telling another story. I think he is losing his audience.

Back at the Fortune slide. The temp was above zero degrees F, so Uncle Russ was comfortable in shorts.

2008-06-09T10:10:31Z

509ers
Back at the Fortune slide. The temp was above zero degrees F, so Uncle Russ was comfortable in shorts.

This was a relatively small slide that occured on the Fish Lake road in early spring.

2008-06-09T10:11:03Z

509ers
This was a relatively small slide that occured on the Fish Lake road in early spring.

Slide path.

2008-06-09T10:11:14Z

509ers
Slide path.

You can go about another 1/8 mile up before hitting a snow bank.

2008-06-09T10:11:57Z

509ers
You can go about another 1/8 mile up before hitting a snow bank.

Bossco, the Jeep belongs to Pam Bosman. She is a pretty good wheeler!

2008-06-09T10:15:19Z

509ers
Bossco, the Jeep belongs to Pam Bosman. She is a pretty good wheeler!