Amenities Status 2/9/2012 ----- If there are no changes in amenity status the date may not change.

Weather at the Ranch Link

Septic Need to Know: It always seems to happen on the weekend when, of course, the septic is being used more. Pardon the pun, but that is a pretty @XQ& way to spend your get away time. Septic systems are much different than sewer systems like what is commonly used in most urban areas. We really need your help in reducing the amount of septic trouble calls we experience. While we know that there will still be failed systems due to tree root infiltration, etc. there are many things that the septic users can do to help cut down on the clogs and reduced functioning of the systems. At the Ranch there are several hundred septic systems. Each system consists of a septic tank that is designed with a center baffle to help the contents decompose at an accelerated rate and then drain out through a pipe system called a drain field to work it's way back into the soil in a non toxic form. Each tank serves from 2 - 9 campsites which are connected to the tank through another pipe system that the trailers dump waste through into the tank. Click here to learn more. New State and County Health codes are making for a more thorough septic management program. This in turn raises the budget necessary to cover the cost associated with this added duty for management and staff.

Electrical Know-how: Your campsite is on an electric curcuit along with several other neighboring sites. If you or one of your neighbors is drawing more electricity through the curcuit and another trailer on that curcuit turns on lights and the microwave and moments later the hotwater heater clicks on someone will either experience a tripped breaker and loose power to their trailer, flickering lights, power surges (that can cause damage to appliances) or a burnt breaker (also results in total loss of electricity requiring a maintenance call to remedy). The worse case scenario would be that someones electric pedestal catches fire (this is a realistic possibility). Until the electric system upgrade has been completed it would be wise and polite for everyone to keep mindful of their personal electricity usage.

For information on how to be power wise click here and here. Click here for instructions on how to conduct a test to help identify high usage appliances. If this does not reveal a major draw, you may wish to request a Maintenance visit to check the electric service pedestal.

Remember that during high force and gusty wind weather conditions, you may be requested to leave your campsite and stay either at the Adult Lounge or the Rec. Center. This is for your own safety; losing a trailer to tree fall damage is one thing, losing Members is another.

Campfires are ALLOWED. Please, still use all precautions to prevent wild fire. To find out the requirements for an approved enclosure/recreational fire please call the burning information line at (360) 676-6934. Note the penalties for violating the regulations. On the Ranch, campfires are not allowed by the Board of Trustees during an outdoor burn ban because we cannot meet enough of the 9 requirements set by the Fire Marshall for approved recreational fires (campfires). Propane outdoor fireplaces are okay to use during fire bans. Important Safety Announcement! Please, no rain covers over fire pits, including portable patio or garden gazebos purchased from retail stores, or tarps. Campfires should not be used during winds higher than 7 - 10 mph.

Golf Course is CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. Please do NOT golf when there is frost on the ground. Your cooperation is appreciated. THANKS! All golfers MUST start play at hole 1! Please be considerate to other players and their use of the course. Know and play by ALL golf course rules (shirts and shoes are REQUIRED). Visit our Hole in One page of Fame here. I need a photo (can be taken at the Ranch office), name, campsite, date of hole in one, witness names and hole #. Email me! ONLY GOLFERS are ALLOWED ON THE COURSE AT ANY TIME!

Mini-golf course CLOSED. Putters and balls are available at the Security Shack or you may use your own.

Horseback Trail Ride Sign-up will be at 10:00 at the tack up area between the horse barn and the maintenance shop on Thursdays-Mondays. Saturday sign-up at 12:30 p.m. also. No rides on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to give the horses a break and the Wranglers time to do barn cleaning and maintenance. Note: rides are sometimes cancelled if the weather is too wet or windy. Arena rides will be conducted when possible and when the trails are no longer safe to ride.

Before you can sign up for a ride, a release form for liability must be turned in (parent/guardian signature required for minors, this is a one time initial requirement). Click here for the Horse Ride Policies and Procedures.

Indoor Pool is OPEN. Children under 12 must have adult supervision.

Outdoor Pool is CLOSED.

Rec. Center is OPEN.

Teen Room is OPEN. Security or the Office for access, you must each sign in.

Adult Lounge is OPEN.

Tennis Courts are OPEN.

Volleyball is OPEN.

Cookshack - OPEN Contact the Ranch Office for booking information. Private member bookings and Club/Committee bookings.

Gazebo Barbecue - Contact the Ranch Office for booking information. Private member bookings and Club/Committee bookings.

The REC Center Hall is only available for official Ranch or Committee events and is not available for private Member bookings.

For live photos of road conditions in Whatcom County click here. You can click on the little black camera icons on the map to see photos on the streets along Interstate 5 and the Abbotsford border crossing. Check the weather forecast from the "Ranch Weather" link on any page of this web site. Also find Mt. Baker Hwy. (State Route 542) driving conditions and ski conditions at Mt. Baker ski area from the web links page of this site. (see a link to that page below).

Call the WA Dept. of Transportation at 1-800-695-7623 for travel information. State Route numbers you will need to know are Mt. Baker Hwy. - 542; Reese Hill Rd. - 547; Valley Hwy. - 9; Guide Meridian - 539. Other Road conditions in Whatcom County check here.

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Black Mountain Ranch is a private campground in Deming, Washington, USA.

All Data copyright Black Mountain Ranch, 2007.