Travelers should expect possible traffic delays in the area on Monday
information released, photo above: Six hazardous trees at Ohme Gardens need to be removed via helicopter. Traffic precautions will be in place during the operation.
Cleanup from damages at Ohme Gardens that were caused by a recent windstorm will require a helicopter to remove trees blown onto the rocky cliffs just below the popular tourist attraction.
While work is scheduled for Monday, the operation, which will also include a 150-foot logger line and a tree climber, is highly dependent on weather conditions.
Ohme Road, the road leading to the gardens, will be closed to local traffic at its intersection with McMullan Road. Watch for one-lane, flagger-controlled traffic on a portion of Ohme Gardens Road (below the gardens). Traffic impacts will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Motorists on Ohme Gardens Road may experience up to 20-minute delays. Best to avoid the area if possible.
Ohme Gardens, the alpine garden owned by Chelan County, was hit hard by a windstorm that went through the area on the night of Feb. 23. Overall, about 15 trees were uprooted throughout the property.
Of the 15 trees, four now lie on the rock face below the gardens, on its eastern side. Two additional cliffside trees are leaning. The six trees will be removed by the helicopter.
With the help of a tree climber, the fallen trees on the cliff will be attached to the helicopter line and flown up and over the gardens, to be placed in the parking lot. The tree climber then will work with the helicopter to cut and remove the other two trees in several pieces.
“It’s going to be a spectacular sight best viewed from the Apple Capital Loop Trail near the 37th Street parking area,” said Samantha Segaline, gardens manager.
