Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.09.2009

Day Three – Thursday, July 9, 2009

Salmon Meadows, Okanogan NF

After breakfast, my cousin Frank and I decided a little road trip was in order. So we loaded up the Land Cruiser with our two dogs headed out to do a little exploring in the Okanogan area. Using Tour 12 in the book Washington Byways as guide, we took off for Lone Frank Pass.

Burned Forest near Lone Frank Pass, Okanogan NF

From the town of Conconully, Washington we drove up the North Fork Salmon Creek Road (FS-38) to Salmon Meadows and FS-3820. FS-3820 climbs steadily from the valley, through forest, aspen groves and open grassland and clear cuts. On this section of FS-3820, there are great views of dry steppe lands to the East.

Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser, Okanogan NF

Eventually, FS-3820 enters the Loomis State Forest and passes over Lone Frank Pass (elevation +6300 feet). Near Lone Frank Pass, you enter into a vast area that I believe burned in the Tiffany Springs Fire in 2006 (if anybody can confirm this, I will update this post). From Lone Frank Pass, it’s a short descent to FS-39 where we stopped and were eaten alive by mosquitos in a just a few minutes time.

Twentymile Meadows, Okanogan NF

Once we were on FS-39, we followed it North towards Long Swamp. Most of this section of FS-39 is within area burned in the Tiffany Springs fire. Along the way, we passed by a expansive views of the Washington Cascades, Thunder Mountain, and overlook of the Twentymile Meadows below. A little further up FS-39, the road goes right through the middle of Thirtymile Meadows where there is a shelter along the side of the road built and maintained by one of the local snowmobile groups.

Shelter at Thirtyymile Meadows, Okanogan NF

After Thirtymile Meadows, FS-39 passes by Corral Butte and descends to Long Swamp. From Long Swamp (which looks like a mosquito haven), FS-39 becomes a paved road descends in an Easterly direction and turns into the Toats Coulee Road as it follows Toats Coulee down into the Sinlahekin Valley just South of Palmer Lake, near Loomis, Washington.

Thirtymile Meadows, Okanogan NF

After quick stop for a snack at the store in Loomis, we headed South on the Sinlahekin Road – County Road 4015 (Tour 16 in the book Washington Byways) for the approximately 22 mile trip back to Conconully.

Lupine in Burned Out Forest, Okanogan NF

The Sinlahekin Valley is a deep, approximately 17 mile North-South glacial valley that extends from Loomis on the North to Fish Lake on the South. The Sinlahekin Road is a well maintained gravel road that passes through the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area passing farmlands and multiple lakes (including Stadium Lake, Conners lake, Forde Lake and Blue Lake). At Fish Lake, we continued South on Road 4015 as it climbed to Sugarloaf Lake and then to Conconully Lake and the town of Conconully.

Sinlahekin Valley Wildlife Area

After a day on the road, the spaghetti dinner we had sure tasted good. After dinner, it was a time for relaxation and a little fishing. Again, all I caught were small bass, but at least I was catching fish. Small fish on a light action pole is fun any day.

Note: This is the third installment of a five part series on our family trip to Conconully, Washington in July 2009.

Part 1: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.07.2009
Part 2: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.08.2009
Part 3: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.09.2009
Part 4: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.10.2009
Part 5: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.11.2009