A deep snowpack over the winter and recent warm weather elevate the potential danger from creeks and streams in the mountains.
That’s the word from Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest officials. “We have had two young children drown this year. Rivers are above level for this time of the year, and on a warm day can really come up as snowpack melts,” said Cecilia Reed, recreation manager for the Snoqualmie Ranger District.
Streams can turn into raging rivers on warm days, stranding hikers or making crossings dangerous. Even shallow waterways can flow strongly enough to knock over an adult or sweep a child downstream, the Forest Service warns.
On the southern end, Denny Creek, Greenwater River, the Middle Fork and South Fork Snoqualmie Rivers are running high, and the White River is turbid, Reed says. Further north, the Skykomish, South Fork Stillaguamish, Beckler and North Fork Nooksack rivers are high.
For information about trail conditions go to www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mbs/road_trails or contact the local ranger district www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mbs/contact-us.
Herald staff
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