Recreation Ambassador Weekend Report - 7/4 & 5

Weekend Summary:

Our ambassadors reported a considerable increase in visitation from the previous weekend. With it being the 4th of July weekend, it was a challenge to find two volunteer groups that could staff both the river and forest locations. Trout Unlimited staffed our river locations (Barn Beach, East Leavenworth Boat Launch, and the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery). This was our final weekend at the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery, which has officially closed for the season as of July 6. Surveys showed that the river and riverbanks looked to be in good shape, with little trash and not too much overcrowding. 

 We were lucky enough to have two volunteers from Upper Valley Historical Society jump in at the last minute and staff Colchuck/Stuart Lake trailhead. It was noted that parking was an issue this weekend with cars parking on both sides of the road (they should only park in the parking lot and on the right side of the road). Surveys showed that trash was not a huge concern this weekend, with many visitors reporting that they had packed out their trash as well as the trash they noticed on the trail.  

Volunteer Impact:

·      Visitor Interactions: Weekend Total: 1,636 (not counting Icicle Gorge and Eight-Mile locations)

·      Surveys Conducted: 51

·      Trash Removed: 2.5, 30 Gallon Bags

Survey Highlights (40 River Surveys – 11 Forest Survey’s respondents):

Visitor Origin:

·      Most trail users surveyed were not local, with visitors from Michigan, Maryland, New Jersey and Morocco.

·      20% local and 80% non-locals.

Recreation Type:

·      81.8% of hikers surveyed headed to Colchuck Lake, and 18.2% were headed to the base of Aasgard Pass.

·      67.5% tubes, 17.5% paddleboards, 12.5% kayaks and 2.5% rafts.

Conditions Reported:

·      Very clean river, nearly no complaints of garbage.  

·      Respondents complained about trash on trails and around Lake Colchuck. 

Post-Recreation Plans:

·      After floating the river 47.5% plan to visit a restaurant, 40% lodging, 12.5% other.

·      After hiking 90.01% plan on going to a restaurant, 9.09% lodging. 

Transportation & Parking

·      20% of river users surveyed had previously heard about the City’s free river shuttle.

·      For transportation before and after it was 60% personal vehicles, 22.5% walk/bike, 10% other and 7.5% shuttled.

For more information, please email Miranda at Recreation@leavenworth.org