Adventures

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

Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.09.2009

Day Three – Thursday, July 9, 2009

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.08.2009

Day Two – Wednesday, July 8, 2009

After a relaxing and leisurely morning in Conconully, Washington, we followed my cousin Frank and his wife Diane on their quad up to the Buck Mountain Lookout.

From the Shady Pines Resort, the Buck Mountain Lookout (48° 26′11N 119° 49′15W) is approximately a 15 mile drive (give or take a few miles) on mostly well maintained gravel road. From the West Fork Salmon Creek Road (County Rd. 2017), the road becomes NF-42 (Okanogan National Forest).

Somewhere in the vicinity of 48° 26′33N 119° 50′17W ( give or take a mile or so – I did not record the location with my GPS) there is a road to the left that leads to a gravel pit (I can’t remember if it’s marked or not – it’s not on the forest service map or my GPS). This road winds through the forest, passes a seasonal pond, then begins to climb and eventually meets up with Buck Mountain Road (that leads to the 6135 foot elevation summit and lookout tower. The last section of the road requires a high clearance vehicle (preferably four wheel drive to prevent causing damage to the loose road surface).

From the summit of Buck Mountain, you have a 360 degree view of the the surrounding countryside. From the forested mountains to the drier lands to the East and South. The lookout tower at the summit (maintained by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources) is a 20 foot tall wooded structure that is used for emergency use only. From the information I could find, the existing tower was built in 1961 and is listed on National Register of Historic places. Unfortunately (but probably a good thing), access to tower is restricted to DNR personnel.

Note: You can also drive to the Buck Mountain Lookout from SR-20. Its about 15 miles West of Okanogan, Washington just before Loup Loup Summit. The Buck Mountain Lookout trip is listed as Tour 30 in the book Washington Byways: Backcountry Drives For The Whole Family available HERE.

On the way back to Conconully, my wife experienced here first ride on a quad (as a passenger). from the smile on her face, I think she had a great time.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing. We did a little fishing where my daughter caught here first trout – one of the few caught from shore. Since the trout fishing was slow, I played around with an old Mepps spinner I had and caught quite a few small bass.

Note: This is the second 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

Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.07.2009

A few months back, my cousin Frank invited my family to come over to Conconully, Washington for a few days in July. Every year for the approximately the past ten years, his family has been spending their summer vacation at the Shady Pines Resort on the shores of the Conconully Reservoir. Having only drove through the town a few years ago on my Washington Cascade Overland Adventure, I knew it would be a fun place to hang out and explore for a few days. Luckily, there was a cabin available for four nights so we booked it.

I spent the week prior to the trip getting prepared. My daughter had never been fishing and I hadn’t gone for a long time myself, so new fishing poles and tackle were in order. I also borrowed my son’s ARB Freezer/Fridge for the trip to keep the frozen goods nice and cold for the trip. I then had to figure out how to pack three people, a large dog crate, the freezer, tools, recovery gear, spare parts, fishing gear, food and personal stuff for three people for five days into the Land Cruiser. Good thing we were not camping (still have to figure that one out).

This trip also marked the first real test of my Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser since I installed the rebuilt 3FE engine. The engine had just recently logged 2000 miles on the new rebuild and it was time to put it through the test.

Day One – Tuesday, July 7, 2009

My goal was to be out the door by 6:00 AM for the trip to Conconully. To my amazement, we actually were out the door five minutes early. I think my daughter was excited for the trip. We fueled up at the local coffee stand and headed East.

From our home in Edgewood, Washington, we headed East over SR-19 to I-90 to Cle Elum, Washington. We stopped at the Cottage Cafe in Cle Elum for a very large and delicious breakfast (as usual). From Cle Elum, we headed over US-97 Alt over Blewett Pass to US-2 to Wenatchee, Washington. From Wenatchee, we drove North on US-97 to Lincoln Rock for the first fuel stop. We drove a little further and stopped at the Beebe Bridge Park to let the dog out and to take a little break from the drive. Our next stop was in Omak, Washington were we topped off the fuel tank and picked up some perishable groceries for the week. From Omak, Conconully is about a twenty-something mile drive. We arrived at the Shady Pines Resort a little after 2:00 PM, said our hellos and checked in our cabin.

Shady Pines Resort is located on the West shore of the Conconully Reservoir. There are lake side RV spaces, a log cabin duplex (where we stayed) and then across the road, there are several individual cabins to rent. Our cabin was equipped with two queen beds, a trundle bed to sleep a few extra people, a dining table, a full size refrigerator, a full size range, a fully equipped kitchen, a 3/4 bathroom and an excellent view of Conconully Reservoir (if you look past the RVs down below you).

We spent our first day just visiting and relaxing. It had just cooled down to the mid-70’s from the weekend where the temperature was in the upper 90’s. That night we watched the nearly full moon rise over the lake.

Note: This is the first 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

Happy 4th of July

I wish everybody a happy and safe 4th of July celebration. Be safe when your traveling.

Steve

Exploring Port Gamble, Washington – 03.08.2009

This past weekend, my daughter and I joined my son, and headed off across the Narrows Bridge with a goal of visiting Fort Flagler State Park.

Just before we reached the Hood Canal Floating Bridge, we decided to visit the historic town of Port Gamble, Washington which is only about a mile from Highway 3.

We parked the Toyota Tacoma in the downtown area of Port Gamble and spent a good hour walking around the town and exploring the well preserved historic buildings from the 1800’s.

After walking a good portion of the town, including the cemetery, we headed off to Fort Flagler State Park.

To be continued…

See more images from our trip at Port Gamble, Washington Photos.

All images in this set can be licensed for commercial or personal use at Port Gamble, Washington Stock Photos.

All Wheelers Halloween Run – 10/25/08

Ceg posted another great trip report with a lot of photos (as usual) detailing the All Wheelers Halloween Run to the Ahtanum State Forest on October 25, 2008.

Along the way, they did some trail maintenance and cleaned up trash left by others. Thanks to the All Wheelers for doing so much for our sport.

The day ended with a Halloween party at Cegs. Looks like a great time.

Read more and see a lot of photos at All Wheelers Halloween Run (Oct 25th, 2008).