Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.10.2009

Day Four – Friday, July 10, 2009

By time Friday rolled around, time was going to fast. The next day we had to leave. We all could easily spend a few more days (or weeks). After having read about and seen pictures of Molson, Washington, we decided to make Molson and the surrounding area the family destination for the day. We loaded up snacks and my wife, daughter and the dog headed North.

Since it was the shortest route distance wise back to US-97, we headed North from Conconully past Lake Conconully on County Road 4015 to Fish Lake and then East, passing through farm lands and canyons along the South Fork of Pine Creek until we reached US-97.

Once we reached US-97, we traveled North along on Okanogan River through Tonasket, Ellisforde and onto Oroville, Washington where we fueled up and had lunch at Linda’s Bakery and Deli (upon recommendation of a local resident). We all had excellent homemade sandwiches and the homemade clam chowder was some of the best I ever tasted.

After lunch, we headed out of town for the Molson Loop (Tour 18 in the book Washington Byways). County Road 9480 steadily climbs from the valley floor, passing farms and future housing developments. Instead of driving directly to Molson, we turned North on the Ninemile Road (County Road 4777).

At the first switchback was the old town site of Circle City, Washington. According to the historical marker, trains on their way to Oroville would stop at Circle City to cool their brakes before the final descent into Oroville. It also stated that one could see the red hot brakes on the train all the way in Oroville in the valley below. Once past the site of Circle City, the Ninemile Road follows the path of the old rail line. You can still see remnants of the old rail bed in areas where the road takes a different path, including narrow cuts through rocky sections.

After a few miles, Ninemile Road takes an easterly direction and parallels the US-Canadian border where it reaches the old townsite of Sidley, British Columbia. The site is marked by a historical marker. Farmland and Highway 3 in British Columbia is visible from the Sidley site.

From Sidley, a short drive takes you past Sidley Lake, Molson Lake and into Molson (according to the sign – population 35). After driving around a few of the side streets looking for interesting old architecture, we stopped into the Old Molson School Museum. On display are many artifacts from the town’s and area’s past, including antique clothing, tools, machinery, furniture. There are several classrooms that are in the same condition as they were when the last classes were held in the late 1960’s. The volunteers staffing the museum all live and grew up in the community and have a lot of information about the history of the area. Before leaving, we enjoyed a few homemade baked goods.

After the Old Molson Schoolhouse, we drove a few minutes to Old Molson where there a few of the original buildings are located as well as a few that were saved and moved to the site. The buildings are loaded with local artifacts that depict what life was like in Molson back in the early 1900’s. Throughout the Old Molson site, can also view old farm equipment and tools from years past.

By time we finished viewing the Old Molson, it was getting late in the day and we still had a drive ahead of us to get back to Conconully. There was a lot more to see in the Okanogan Highlands surrounding Molson but not enough time in day. I’ll have to save it for another trip.

After leaving Molson, we headed back into Oroville, South on US-97 (with a stop in Tonasket for my wife to visit an antique shop), into Riverside and back to Conconully.

Note: This is the fourth 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