Campgrounds open near Lake Chelan as Forest Service tackles trail, dock projects

CHELAN — Campgrounds are open, major dock projects are moving forward and access has been restored to key portions of the Lakeshore Trail, but Forest Service officials say limited staffing and lingering storm damage will continue to challenge recreation management around Lake Chelan this summer.

District Ranger Holly Craig provided the update during a June 9 presentation to the Chelan City Council, outlining road repairs, recreation improvements and infrastructure projects across the Chelan Ranger District as the busy summer season begins.

Among the most visible changes this year is a transition to cashless payment systems for Forest Service recreation sites. Visitors using fee areas, campgrounds and other facilities now pay electronically rather than using cash envelopes at trailheads and campgrounds.

"This is a learning year," Craig said, acknowledging that the transition has produced both successes and challenges.

Despite the changes, Craig reported that all Chelan-area campgrounds opened before Memorial Day and are available for use this summer.

The Forest Service also continues to recover from extensive winter damage caused by back-to-back atmospheric river events in December.

One of the hardest-hit areas was the popular Lakeshore Trail, where washouts and severe erosion left portions of the route impassable.

Craig said crews worked quickly to restore access, including creating a temporary route around one of the most heavily damaged sections near Hunts Creek. The Forest Service also partnered with ferry operators to offer hikers an option to bypass some of the most difficult damaged sections after Moore Point while still allowing visitors to reach Stehekin.

The goal, Craig said, was to maintain access to the upper lake while preserving tourism activity that supports businesses and services in Stehekin.

Trail maintenance remains a challenge, however.

Craig told council members the Chelan Ranger District's entire trail crew currently consists of just two people responsible for hundreds of miles of trail.

"When you think about the scale of what's out there and the damages, particularly from this winter, plus regular logout, campgrounds and all of the things we're going to do, [this is] the best we can do with what we have," she said.

Heavy blowdown remains throughout the district, particularly in portions of the Entiat area, where some trails still contain hundreds of downed trees.

The staffing challenge extends beyond trails. Craig said the federal hiring freeze following the now-disbanded “Department of Government Efficiency” cuts at the beginning of this administration remains in effect for most Forest Service positions outside of fire and law enforcement, with no clear timeline for when hiring may resume.

Visitors arriving by boat will see progress on several long-awaited dock projects around Lake Chelan.

Domke Lake dock was repaired and returned to service this spring, while a completely new dock for Safety Harbor is currently being constructed in Idaho and is expected to be transported back and installed later this year if lake levels cooperate.

Planning and permitting work has also begun for the eventual replacement of the aging dock at Refrigerator Harbor.

Craig noted that each new dock costs more than $500,000 to build and install, prompting the Forest Service to begin a comprehensive assessment of 10 of its 11 federally owned docks on the lake. The review will help determine which facilities require replacement first and how future investments can best be prioritized.

The Forest Service has also moved firewood permits and dock permits to an online system, allowing users to obtain permits electronically rather than visiting district offices.

Road repairs continue as well. Damage to portions of Shady Pass and Grade Creek roads caused by winter storms has been submitted for federal transportation funding consideration.

Craig encouraged residents and recreation users to report road washouts, slides and other damage as they encounter it, noting that federal funding requests must be submitted by late summer.

"We only have until the end of August to compile all those damages," she said. "If we don't find it until September or October, that ship has sailed and we have to try to find alternate funding."

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media