Fun article in my home territory, John. My father drove us up to Hurricane Ridge when we were toddlers to teach us to cross-country ski. I would add about the Elwha that the Lower Elwha Clallam people struggled for over a century to have those dams removed. Not only were many fish species decimated by the installation of the dams, but so were sacred sites. The removal created an example for dam removals worldwide. Also, Anne Schaffer's Coastal Watershed Institute focuses on repairing the nearshore environment liberated by the dam removal. I recommend getting on the mailing list for Anne's newsletter, which also has wonderful photos of the work they do, including interns going into habitat restoration. Your damp bike ride makes me shiver in sympathy! Good for you for trying.
Oof. Two soggy weekends in a row?? Poor things. You PNWers might actually enjoy what we've got going here on the east coast: "Feels like 100" with intense humidity. Water needs to find its outlet, right? The exhilaration of seeing it freed from behind dams is unforgettable.
I feel like I'm forever recommending other resources, but here's another you might enjoy, if you have time:
It's actually unusual to get any rain here this time of year, but really our bad for not having the right gear. The rest of the week, it's been hot and until today, smoky from the fires the other side of the cascades. I'd rather a little rain than that. This weekend's trip to Coeur d'Alene Idaho is cancelled because of smoke from the fires in Spokane. A week in Kelowna and Penticton is likewise smoked out - AQl 250, with no change on the horizon.
I don't miss August on the East Coast!
The dam site made the whole weekend worthwhile.
Thanks for the link. It's been a while since I camped and kayaked on the Chesapeake.
Good afternoon, John Lovie, As I read I kept playing “for the commonweal” in my mind. Including that of the salmon. 100 pound chinook salmon seems unfathomable. Bicycling to 5,000 feet, amongst the clouds and thru three tunnels sounds exhilarating. Barring rain, cold temps with wind chills, and the “unnecessary” rain gear. Brutal at the time. The stuff “let’s do it agains” are made for! Thanks for sharing yet another adventure.
Thanks Paulette, yes, next time we drive down to CA, likely November, I want to see the Klamath. Still hoping that the Lower Snake dams will follow. And many, many more.
Had a similar backpacking beach camping experience on a similar weekend and though we were soaked we all shouted as we made it back to the car, “Let’s do it again! “
There's no feeling like visiting water freed from a dam! Love those photos. And on the ride, as my father liked to say when I used to skin up the ski mountain and he passed me skiing down, "Are you having fun suffering?"
Seriously these seasons all in one day.☀️⛈️🌦🌡❄️ I am glad you got to see the free river.
Thanks for reading, Mary Beth. I hope many more rivers follow the Elwha and Klamath.
Fun article in my home territory, John. My father drove us up to Hurricane Ridge when we were toddlers to teach us to cross-country ski. I would add about the Elwha that the Lower Elwha Clallam people struggled for over a century to have those dams removed. Not only were many fish species decimated by the installation of the dams, but so were sacred sites. The removal created an example for dam removals worldwide. Also, Anne Schaffer's Coastal Watershed Institute focuses on repairing the nearshore environment liberated by the dam removal. I recommend getting on the mailing list for Anne's newsletter, which also has wonderful photos of the work they do, including interns going into habitat restoration. Your damp bike ride makes me shiver in sympathy! Good for you for trying.
Oof. Two soggy weekends in a row?? Poor things. You PNWers might actually enjoy what we've got going here on the east coast: "Feels like 100" with intense humidity. Water needs to find its outlet, right? The exhilaration of seeing it freed from behind dams is unforgettable.
I feel like I'm forever recommending other resources, but here's another you might enjoy, if you have time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9STjoQM7ee0
It's actually unusual to get any rain here this time of year, but really our bad for not having the right gear. The rest of the week, it's been hot and until today, smoky from the fires the other side of the cascades. I'd rather a little rain than that. This weekend's trip to Coeur d'Alene Idaho is cancelled because of smoke from the fires in Spokane. A week in Kelowna and Penticton is likewise smoked out - AQl 250, with no change on the horizon.
I don't miss August on the East Coast!
The dam site made the whole weekend worthwhile.
Thanks for the link. It's been a while since I camped and kayaked on the Chesapeake.
Good afternoon, John Lovie, As I read I kept playing “for the commonweal” in my mind. Including that of the salmon. 100 pound chinook salmon seems unfathomable. Bicycling to 5,000 feet, amongst the clouds and thru three tunnels sounds exhilarating. Barring rain, cold temps with wind chills, and the “unnecessary” rain gear. Brutal at the time. The stuff “let’s do it agains” are made for! Thanks for sharing yet another adventure.
The Iron Gate Dam near Hornbrook, CA, on the Klamath River was recently removed. What a feat that was, and the salmon have returned!
Thanks Paulette, yes, next time we drive down to CA, likely November, I want to see the Klamath. Still hoping that the Lower Snake dams will follow. And many, many more.
Had a similar backpacking beach camping experience on a similar weekend and though we were soaked we all shouted as we made it back to the car, “Let’s do it again! “
Time well spent!
There's no feeling like visiting water freed from a dam! Love those photos. And on the ride, as my father liked to say when I used to skin up the ski mountain and he passed me skiing down, "Are you having fun suffering?"
It was a pretty special feeling, yes. Still hoping for the same on the Lower Snake, and so many more.
What a perfect mix of restoration, challenge, and adaptation you rolled into a weekend!
Thank you, Judy!