Tommy

Staffing the North Tommy Checkpoint

  • 10T 0683169E 5312383N UTM

  • 10T FU 83169 12383 USNG

  • 47.93856, -120.54734

  • 47°56.313', -120°32.840'

  • 47°56'19", -120°32'50"

Directions

Via Forest Service Roads (Shortest - Requires 4x4) - 90 minutes travel time from command

  1. From Plain follow Hwy 209 South to Eagle Creek Road, turn left

  2. Approx 5.9 mi, turn left onto FS Road 7520

  3. Follow uphill 5.8 mi (47 42.24 x 120 38.50) to the intersection of road 5200

  4. Turn right and go 500 feet

  5. Turn left down hill on the 5800 (This turn is well marked)

  6. Drive until you reach the intersection of the 5800 and USFS 5700

  7. Turn right onto the Mad River Road, follow until you reach the intersection of the Entiat River Road (USFS Rd 51)

  8. Turn left and follow north until you reach USFS Rd 5605 (Just past Silver Falls Campground)

  9. Turn left on USFS Rd 5605 and follow it until it ends at the trailhead

Via paved roads (Longer by driving around through Wenatchee) - 120 minutes travel time from command

  1. From Plain follow Hwy 209 South to Leavenworth

  2. Turn Left onto US2 East, drive until you reach the junction of US2 and 97A in Wenatchee

  3. Turn North on 97A, follow until you reach County Rd 19/Entiat River Rd immediately over the Entiat River

  4. Turn Left and follow approximately 30 miles until you reach USFS Rd 5605 (Just past Silver Falls Campground)

  5. Turn left on USFS Rd 5605 and follow it until it ends at the trailhead in 6 miles

Note there are often large boulders on USFS Rd 5605 near the top. All by the last 1/4 mile is paved and the gravel is in good condition. The brush can often grow into the road, leaving a very narrow vehicle track leading to some nice Texas pinstriping on wider vehicles and limited visibility. The brush was trimmed back and wide open in 2019. Near the top there are often boulders on the roadway that can be challenging for low clearance vehicles without removing them. It's prudent to plan some extra travel time to remove larger boulders.

Staffing - (approx. 0830 - 1500 Saturday)

Staff can generally leave 15 minutes after the last runner has passed because they will likely have an opportunity to drop again at Lake Creek. Watch for runners on the 5605 road when leaving the area, even beyond the turn because it is often missed. Stop by Lake Creek on the way out to offer transportation to any dropped runners.

Checkpoint Conditions

The checkpoint is a large open reasonably level gravel parking area. There is no shade or shelter from weather. It can be quite cool in the morning and hot by early afternoon. There can be a few bugs. Sunscreen is a requirement and bug spray is a good idea. Parking at the opposite end of the area provides good visibility up the trail and plenty of time to prepare for runner arrivals.

There are no resources anywhere nearby. Plan to be self-sufficient the entire time. Bring a camera. As the only checkpoint with good light (all runners come through during daylight) and good sight lines, expect to take lots of pictures of runners.

Communications

A full power (50 watt) mobile is required to reach the Nanum or Mission repeaters. It often requires positioning the vehicle/antenna carefully for maximum strength (get a 10 count from Command and move around). High gain verticals are not recommended because of their low take-off angle. Simplex is also possible with an elevated 1/4 wave (low gain) antenna. A yagi should also provide simplex capability but no antenna heading has been determined.

Communications to Lake Creek is no problem (just down the hill) and simplex to Tyee also seems to require a full power mobile radio and antenna. Maverick Saddle can occasionally be heard but no others can make it over the ridge. Be aware when communicating on Simplex that Command may be monitoring another station that is inaudible.