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| Locked and Loaded |
When Shane added the caveat, "if we can get there," you had to wonder what sort of adventure might lie ahead. As it turned out, we got there. And there was adventure.
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| Cayuse Que |
Friday morning, Shane, Phil and I met in Issaquah, and headed for Chinook Pass. We arrived at Cayuse Pass shortly before the seasonal opening of Chinook, and qued up with the the first-vehicles-of-the-season crowd.
Shortly after noon, the rangers pulled down the barriers and waved us through. Impressive cuts of snow framed the roadbed as we rode up and over the pass.
After a brief stop at Whistlin' Jack for provisions, we headed down the road to Nile.
There were two routes to "Elk Camp", the hunting camp Shane shares with a group of hunting friends. The direct route is seven miles up from a low meadow camp, and the alternate route is twelve miles around.
Arriving at the low meadow, we found two things: numerous horse camping outfits, and the direct route bridge completely removed from an uncrossable stream.
As it turned out, the alternate route was open, blocked by a single downed tree we were able to ride around.
Elk Camp was a remarkable place, and soon we had tents pitched, tables assembled, and firewood cut. Who brings a chainsaw on a moto-camping trip? Shane does. Fantastic!
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| No Cork Screw? |
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| No Problem |
Steak dinner, target practice, and a campfire preceded a night of peaceful rest.
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| The Mighty T-Dub and MegaMid |
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| Tarpzilla |
Saturday we headed back 20 miles to the highway, and joined the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR) at Highway 410.
We headed north up Cleman Mountain. The climb up Cleman was the only hill to spit me off my bike last year on the route, and I was eager to conquer that pitch. Turns out it was much easier to climb on an unloaded bike, and last years WABDR traffic had cleared some of the loose baby-head rock off the track.
Lunch atop Cleman Mountain provided a needed respite with views all around.
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| Cleman Summit looking West |
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| Lunch |
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| Southwest view |
The decent off Cleman was a long and fun challenge, followed by some brisk riding along it's northern base. Soon we were back to pavement, and headed into Naches for provisions.
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| Stopped for Ammo, found this | | | | | | | | | | |
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When we arrived back in Elk Camp, Brian and Josh had arrived only an hour prior.
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| Under Tarpzilla during a brief shower, evidence litters the ground. |
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| Flank steak, Italian sausage, bacon, white and red spuds, onion, carrots, yellow red and orange peppers, white and purple onion, fresh garlic, olive oil. Foil. Oh, and is that Dewars? |
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| Josh loads his dinner |
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| Brain and Phil wrap their meals. |
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| Fire roasted goodness |
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| Gunfire can not distract Phil from his meal |
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| "Happiness is a warm gun"- John Lennon |
When we arrived back at Elk Camp, Brian and Josh were only an hour in camp.
A great evening of target practice, foil stew, campfire and camaraderie followed. Life is good.
Sunday morning we feasted on potatoes, onions, peppers, hash-browns and bacon.
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| Ohhh, yeaaaaaaa. |
We then headed out for a loop of Bethel Ridge.
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| Meeks Table |
The WABDR climb up the north side of Bethel Ridge turned out to be rather challenging in spots. We named one long rough section "Vibrator Ridge" for the endless shaking experienced riding it's length.
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| Vibrator Ridge |
Hopes of snow-free passage were finally dashed near the summit of the ridge, and by-pass exploration eventually turned fruitless, blocking our WABDR traverse.
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| High centered |
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| Bethel Ridge |
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| Farther down than it looks |
Nearby, however, we found FS1400 to be a long, yet well maintained descent route south to highway 12. Not as brief or interesting as the WABDR route from Rimrock to Bethel, it none-the-less allowed up to ride a loop instead of backtracking.
Provisions again were secured in Naches, and we were soon back at Elk Camp, shooting, feasting, and sitting by the fire.
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| Packing it in for the run home |
Monday began earlier than previous mornings, as riders strove to get away ahead of holiday traffic. The descent from Elk Camp to the highway was again enjoyed as a beautiful send-off from a fantastic weekend.
Thanks go out to Shane for sharing this special place, and organizing the ride. Well done.
