As you probably know, Yakima County is currently dealing with the highest rate of COVID-19 cases in the western part of the United States. As a result we are still a long way from moving into Phase 2 of the reopening, let alone going to Phase 3 or 4. We need Phase 2 before we can convene groups of up to 5 people, Phase 3 for groups of up to 50 people, and Phase 4 for gatherings up to 550 people. This means that for now we can schedule no club outings or in-person meetings. The Board regrets that the 100th anniversary campout scheduled for July 16-20 at American Ridge Ski Lodge has been canceled, as has the annual Cascadians picnic scheduled for July 29.

There is evidence that members are going out on their own for unofficial outings, because we are being notified that various summit registers are full. For example, we heard from two different members that the Goat Peak register needed replacement. The tube and register were replaced last week, and all but one of the trees that had fallen on the trail were removed.

If you do hit the trails on your own with anyone other than members of your household, be very careful about social distancing. One suggestion from the Washington Trails Association is to have a face covering available that you can place over your nose and mouth if you meet someone on the trail. There have been some studies that suggest runners and bicyclists need to observe greater social distancing that the usual 6 feet due to aerosols lingering in the air. It would seem that hiking might fall into the same category, especially when breathing hard on a tough uphill (like the Goat Peak Trail). Please keep this in mind while hiking and allow plenty of distance between you and the hiker in front of you.

The Board has not met since our March 4 meeting, but we have used email discussions to handle issues that have arisen. We do plan to have a meeting via Zoom or telephone conference call on July 1. Although we can’t have any events in the immediate future, we do need to look ahead to when we can resume outings and meetings. We also have things such as the nomination and election of members to serve on the Board of Directors this fall, which we might have to do without benefit of a general meeting.

So hang in there, fellow Cascadians! Things will get back to normal eventually, but it appears that here in Yakima it is going to be a longer road than we had anticipated.