DO NOT attend this run if you don't like off-camber trails with steep side hills, ruts in the trails, sharp rocks, lots of bumps, and a long haul!

These trails (dirt roads) are full of water channels and off-camber corners, so while they are wide open dirt roads, they do present their own challenges. In some areas, you can get up to 35/40 MPH (or more, but it's not advisable), but then other areas have bumps and sharp rocks, and about 12 MPH is a more appropriate speed. Going too fast and not picking your path carefully will tear large holes in  stock tires and bend stock wheels, breaking the bead seal. Big Horn tires on good after-market aluminum wheels will do fine.

On the ridges, it will be windy. If it's rainy, that means rain getting blown sideways. No fun.
In the valleys/canyons, it tends to be warmer and shielded from the wind.
If it's sunny, there is no shade anywhere to be found. Sunblock is highly recommended. UnderArmour HeatGear, and some extra water to keep it wet is even better.

I haven't nailed down the details of this ride yet, but it's likely to be a long day of riding. Starting out at the staging area late morning, 30 miles of riding to a sandy beach area, some screwing around there, picnic lunch, maybe swimming, etc. Then 30 miles back, arriving as it is getting dark. probably some camping, then some more riding the next day.

Included in the possible destinations:
Magnificent view of cliffs and canyons and the Columbia River near Kittitas, WA. One of the best-kept "secrets" of dirt bike riding.


Also, an up close and personal visit with a resident of the Wild Horse Wind Farm.


Exact dates to be confirmed later, but most likely June 18th and 19th.
I need to go there in May and confirm the camping, check out capacity, make sure the staging area is set up the way I remember it, etc.

Sounds more like a trail to do on my 2 whlr...

Posted By jeffpa on 07 Apr 2011 02:34 PM
Sounds more like a trail to do on my 2 whlr...

Single-track guys ride this area all of the time. Riding with a bunch of quad-tards, you might get impatient. Dunno how fast you like to go normally, but on this terrain, dirt bikes can safely and easily go about twice as fast as ATVs. The ground feels a little weird on a single track bike but you get used to it. Everyone on single track bikes (self included) I've introduced to it has stopped within the first 1/4 mile to check their rear tire pressure - the back tire feels like it's flat. Once you accept that, you just ignore it and everything's fine.

anyone who knows me, and has ridden with me knows that speed and going fast in the dirt are concepts beyond my grasp.

Just a little bump to keep folks interested. Opening day for this area grows near, and I am getting jazzed. I plan to do a scouting run in early May to make sure the parking area I am thinking of will accommodate the number of vehicles that might show up, and camping as well, because it will be a two-day event.

Once again, I'm tentatively shooting for June 18th and 19th for the group ride. Please mark your calendars if you think you'll want to do this one!

Sounds like a good scenic ride. One that the wife is sure to appreciate. Might have to get in on this one.

Did you get your ride back?

Scouting mission was successful!

On the way into the parking/camping area, we found that the next-door neighbor was home. I stopped the truck and went to talk with him. I learned that the parking/camping area is actually on private property, but that the property owner is in Montana and doesn't care one way or the other about people using his land for an ATV staging area. When we arrived at the staging area, there were two other trucks/trailers that had staged there.

The area is not overly expansive, but it will support ten or fifteen medium-sized truck/trailer combinations if we park in an organized manner. There is a flat area of ground that can be used for tent camping as well, but the ground is fairly hard so foam pads or air mattresses would probably be a good idea.

The road from the staging area goes right up into the Green Dot road system and provides an excellent starting point for our rides.

We followed one of the paths that I am proposing for the June 18th/19th ride, and it was exactly as I remembered it, up to a certain point. At that point, we came across a closed gate and a red sign saying "Here there be dragons." OK, OK, it actually said "No motorized vehicles beyond this point". About 50 feet back from that, there is a large, carved wooden sign explaining that the "west bar" is closed during Elk Mating Season, and any other time they want to close it to try to "prevent the elk from crossing the river". Our trip was on the first open day, so maybe they just hadn't gotten around to opening the gate yet. That closed gate basically blocked 5 miles of some cool, sandy, flat riding, and a destination that gives you a great view of the cliffs across the river, and a small inlet where people can go wading or swimming without fear of any currents sweeping them down the river.

However, even if it stays closed, it's a good ride to the closed area, and there's a nice wide open grassy area at the closure where we can all group up and have a picnic. I'm not sure how long we'll want to sit in one place in the middle of June at that spot, it was pretty warm even on May 1st. Sunscreen and possibly umbrellas are recommended. Extra water is REQUIRED.

I want to stress that this ride is NOT for those who have physical injuries or fragile ATVs. This terrain is not especially challenging, and as a result we ride it fast. That presents some challenges that are specific to this kind of terrain.

1. The machines take a beating. There are lots of rocks and bumps and grooves, and even if you hit them just right, your suspension, bearings, etc. take a pounding. If you hit them wrong, mechanical failures occur. We've had bent tie rods, holes torn in tire sidewalls, bent wheels causing bead seal failure, we lost a trailer hitch (snapped off) when towing a garden trailer with camping gear in it. If your radiator is clogged with mud, it will overheat repeatedly in this _desert_. If you do not increase your tire pressure, you will tear open your sidewalls on sharp rocks. If you are running the stock tires with thin walls, you may tear them open anyway.

2. The riders take a beating. Those bumps add up over time, and your wrists and forearms will feel it. If your suspension is somewhat stiff, your back and neck will feel it, unless you stand up on the pegs a lot, in which case your legs will feel it. If you fail to notice a rock protruding from the side of the trail because it is in the shadow of a sagebrush, it will tear the handlebar right out of your hand (which is usually hard on your hand) and smack you in the gut with it, hard. It might even roll you over if you're going fast and don't correct it fast enough. Same goes for deep water run-off grooves in the trail. Beware them.

I made the mistake of meeting up with a guy who I'd just met on a forum to show him the area. I had no idea of his riding ability. My first clue that this might not go well was his shiny, brand new King Quad. Follow that with his shiny brand new riding clothes and street bike helmet. Well, he ended up rolling his quad on top of himself about 3 miles into the ride. We escorted him back to his truck. He insisted that he was OK to drive himself home. I heard later that he had some pretty serious injuries. He was not ready for this ride.

I don't want to scare anyone away, and I suspect that we'll be setting a significant slower pace on the June 18th/19th runs. But at the same time, I want to strongly encourage anyone who wants to attend to make sure that man (or woman) and machine are up to it before signing up. I consider this ride to be on the high end of intermediate, due to the harshness of the environment. It is unyielding - but if you respect it and come prepared for it, then it's all good. And it's simply gorgeous, in a desert/canyon sort of way.

Posted By paka on 30 Apr 2011 09:11 PM
Did you get your ride back?

Not yet. Called last Saturday & they had not had a chance to look at it. I have not bothered them since BUT with nice weather upon us (I think) it is hard not to pester them!!!

If I had an idea when I would be getting it back, I would jump on some of these rides you guys are planning. Last time I had a transmission issue, it was there for 2 months.....in this area it will be winter again by then!!!

You need a backup ride. 

My Audi is all wheel drive....
Eithet that or my Riding Mower
LOL!!!

when is this ride suppose happen? or is it off?

This ride is definitely still on. Here are the relevant details:

You will NOT need a "Discover Pass" as this ride happens before that goes into effect.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/discoverpass/

Here is a Google Maps Link to the parking area:
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&...h&z=17
The first ride will probably start at about noon or 1pm. If you miss it, don't worry, we'll be back for another one. Don't get lost.

If you want to caravan, I will be leaving the "Eastgate Park and Ride" in Bellevue, WA at exactly 8:00 AM on June 18th.
http://www.google.com/maps?q=47.039...2&z=17

Here is a Google Maps route from the Park and Ride to the Staging area:
http://www.google.com/maps?f=d&...h&z=15


I can be reached at 425-231-6332 when the phone is in range of a tower and when I am not riding. if you need to get in touch, and I don't answer the phone, your best bet is to send a TXT message. I'm more likely to get that than a voicemail.

Things to bring: 
1. Umbrella (for shade).
2. Sunscreen.
3. Plenty of water.
4. Tire plug kit.
5. Trail snacks and something to contribute to a potluck BBQ.

Things to make sure you do beforehand:
1. Grease your a-arms and other joints, check for loose or damaged suspension parts. If they're questionable, these trails will kill them.
2. Air up your tires. You want a high inflation for these trails. You don't need increased traction here. The sharp rocks will tear holes in your sidewall if your tires are low. I usually go with 6 pounds on Maxxis BigHorns. Find out your max recommended inflation for your tires and air them up - maybe not to maximum, but higher than you'd go for Walker Valley.
3. Clean your air filter. It's gonna be a dusty ride.

Update: I goofed the links in the previous update. I fixed them. Don't count on any you may have received in an e-mail notification, come to the forum thread to get the right ones.

Roll call! Who's planning to attend this little shindig?

Unable to, moving. BUMMER

Ratz! Would have enjoyed having you along. At least you're not missing out on an area you've never been to before though.

I am now talking about driving over on Friday evening and setting up camp. There might be a very short intro ride on Saturday morning.

If you're planning to go on this one, I need to know so I can coordinate and make sure nobody gets left out or has difficulty finding us!

I'm on the fence .Will know soon.

Will that fence support your weight?