Tyee
Staffing the Tyee Ridge Checkpoint
10T 685114E 5303542N UTM
10T FU 85115 03538 USNG
47.85849, -120.52510
47°51.510', -120°31.506'
47°51'31", -120°31'30"
Directions
Remember to get gate key before leaving Command
Via Forest Service Roads (Shortest - Requires 4x4 and not well marked) - 2-3 hours travel time from command
From Plain follow Hwy 209 South to Eagle Creek Road, turn left
Approx 5.9 mi, turn left onto FS Road 7520
Follow uphill 5.8 mi (47 42.24 x 120 38.50) to the intersection of road 5200 at the top
Turn right and go 500 feet
Turn Left down hill on the 5800 (This turn is well marked)
Drive until you reach the intersection of the 5800 and USFS 5700
Turn left onto USFS Rd 5700 follow the paved road until you reach a T-intersection
To the right is the road to Tyee lookout, GREAT VIEW
Turn Left at the T to get to the aid station and follow to the trailhead
Go through the locked gate - Close but do not lock the gate until you close the checkpoint
After going through the gate, follow the road approx. 1.5 miles where trail 1416 crosses the road
Via paved roads (Longer by driving around through Wenatchee) - 2-3 hours travel time from command
From Plain follow Hwy 209 South to Leavenworth
Turn Left onto US2 East, drive until you reach the junction of US2 and 97A in Wenatchee
Turn North on 97A, follow until you reach County Rd 19/Entiat River Rd immediately over the Entiat River
Turn Left and follow 9.8 miles until see a sign for Ardenvoir
Turn left onto Mad River Road for 2 miles to USFS Rd 5700
Continue straight onto USFS Rd 5700 and follow the paved road until you reach a T-intersection
To the right is the road to Tyee lookout, GREAT VIEW
Turn Left at the T to get to the aid station and follow to the trailhead
Go through the locked gate - Close but do not lock the gate until you close the checkpoint
After going through the gate, follow the road approx. 1.5 miles where trail 1416 crosses the road
Staffing - (approx. 1330-2300 Saturday)
Staff can generally leave after the last runner has passed Maverick and approved by Command.
Checkpoint Conditions
The checkpoint is a wide spot in the road where the trail crosses. There is little cover and it can be hot during the day and cool at night. There's no food, fresh water, or toilets available anywhere nearby, so bring absolutely everything you may need. Be sure to bring sunscreen and bug repellent, and portable shelter is strongly recommended for both sunny and rainy conditions. In windy conditions it may be necessary or preferable to shelter in vehicles. Parking is very limited near the checkpoint due to the narrow road, but additional parking is available further up the road. Be sure not to block the trail or trail markings for the runners.
Runners that drop here will have virtually nothing with them, so be sure to bring extra supplies to share with dropped runners both at the checkpoint and on the return trip (water, food, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, towels, blankets, TP, basic small first aid, etc.).
While on duty there may be long periods (sometimes hours) with no runners coming through, so you may want to bring something to do while waiting.
During breaks, a short walk on the road uphill from the Tyee checkpoint the trees thin out and the views are spectacular. If you have a camera and binoculars, be sure to bring them. That's also the place to pitch tents, if you should decide to stay overnight. However, if there are forest fires or lightning in the area (or forecast), don't stay overnight. And if such conditions develop while on-station, it'd be best to get/stay ready to beat a hasty retreat at a moment's notice, and to frequently update command with current observed conditions. It can be very cold at night. Having a shelter with sides and even a small heater would create a more comfortable space.
Communications
A higher powered mobile is required to reach command either simplex or via repeater. Communications with Maverick Saddle and Tommy is also possible on simplex. An external gain vertical is recommended and works well when clamped to the existing trail signpost (as shown in the photo to the left of the canopy). A high gain directional antenna mounted at least 20 feet above ground is a better solution to secure reliable communications. The use of a portable repeater at Sugarloaf made the site workable with handheld radios. Always plan to bring a mobile if the repeater is not available.