Originally posted at
Clover Springs and Little Bald Mountain Backroads Tour
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After nearly a year of lurking on the
Backroad Drivers Northwest group mail list, last Saturday (June 9, 2007), I was finally able to attend one of the organized gatherings of the group.
The planned destination was the Clover Springs and Little Bald Mountain areas off SR 410, near
Cliffdell, Washington. I had been to this area before, during the 2005
Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association (PNW4WDA) annual trail jamboree, but never from the direction we were coming in from. Also, this time of year, there was bound to be snow, which places a whole new twist on the adventure.
The meeting place was the Gold Creek Station Restaurant, just East of Cliffdell. By time I arrived from my trip over Chinook Pass, the group was just finishing up breakfast (by the way, the food looked mighty good).
The group consisted of five vehicles, starting with tour leader Jerry and Evelyn in their nicely built Ford Bronco II, Bill and Jolleen in their custom built, full size 4x4 Ford Econoline Van, Kelly in his 3 week old Jeep JK Wrangler (on its maiden voyage from the paved road), Shirley and her grandson Michael in her 2003 Land River Discovery, and my daughter Korinne and myself in my Toyota FJ80 Land Cruiser. Of course, I can't forget five of our four-legged friends that tagged along.
From Gold Creek Station, we drove West past Cliffdell to the Little Naches River to FS 1709. Our first stop was to visit the
Bedrock Prospectors Club mining claim on the Naches River. To access this area, we took FS 1704 almost immediately after leaving SR 410 and followed the Bumping River downstream. At the confluence of the Little Naches River (which is clearly visible from FS 1704), the river then becomes the Naches River. All along this area is clearly marked mining claims. Unfortunately, from the road, we did not see anybody working the claim. So we turned around and headed back to FS 1709.
Our next destination was Little Bald Mountain. To get there, we headed up FS 1709 towards Clover Springs. As an alternate route or to make a loop, a person could drive SR 410 to Nile and take FS 1600 to the same area.
FS 1709 started out as a rough, washboard climb out of the Bumping River valley with the occasional view to the valley below. As we climbed, the road became smoother but very dusty, even with the light rain showers we were having.
FS 1709 eventually intersects FS 1600 (from the Nile area) where we saw the first signs to Clover Springs. From this intersection, the road narrowed and became rougher as it switch backed up the ridge. The more we climbed, the forest opened up to quite a few meadows where we could tell that the snow has only melted a few weeks ago. The first wildflowers of the season were in full bloom.
After a short distance on FS 1600, we came to the turn off to
Little Bald Mountain (elevation 6108 feet). We followed the road for about a half-mile until it led to the site of an old lookout on the top of a large rock outcropping. Even though the weather wasn't cooperative, the views were great. I imagine on a clear day, the views would be beautiful. All that is left at the site is several communications towers and a shelter maintained by the Chinook Pass Snowmobile Club.
After taking a few photos and chatting among the group, we headed down the mountain to FS 1600 and Clover Springs. After the Little Bald mountain road, FS 1600 had quite a short snow patches we had to cross.
We eventually came to were multiple trees had fallen across the road which required a little detour from the main road. While discussing if we were going to continue or not, we met up with a group of primarily Toyota 4x4 pickups on their way out (they had passed us earlier in the day). After a little discussion, Shirley decided that she would not attempt the crossing in her Land Rover and would wait until we all came back.
The first across the log crossing was Jerry and Evelyn in the Bronco II. Because of the angle of his attempt, Jerry got his left front tire over the first log and rested the front axle on the log. After debarking the tree with his tires and almost moving the log completely out of the way, Jerry made it through the obstacle with no problem.
Next to go was Kelly in his brand new (I'm talking three weeks since he drove it off the dealer's lot) Jeep JK Wrangler. After a few bumps to get the Jeep over the slick logs, Kelly made it with no problem.
After Kelly, it was Bill and Jolleen's turn in their full size Ford 4x4 van. Again, after a few bumps they were over without difficulty.
Finally it was my turn. As my daughter stood outside and watched, I made several attempts at getting over, Just my luck, I was just at perfect wheelbase to make the crossing over logs a little difficult. After a few bumps and some rocking I got over the obstacle. I would later realize that I didn't have my center diff lock engaged.
A short distance later, we arrived at Clover Springs. From where we stopped, it appears that the trail continues as a 4x4 trail but not for the vehicles were were driving today. Jerry and Evelyn headed back down to meet up with Shirley. After some lunch, photos and letting the dogs play in the snow we headed down to meet up with the rest of the group.
