We headed for Ellensburg at 9:30 am and arrived at around 10:30. We exited I-90 at Canyon Rd, exit 109. We fueled up on gas and coffee and headed out. Driving into town, we turned left onto E Umptanum Rd and then right onto Manastash Rd. The speed limit of Manastash was 50 mph for the first couple miles then slowed to 35 once we drove into the valley. Manastash takes you through farm and ranch land before continuing into the national forest. This was a pleasant drive. The pavement ends with Manastash and FS-31 begins with an easy gravel road.
Our first checkpoint was at the crossroad of Barber Springs Rd and FS-31. We almost drove past Barber Springs as this intersection is not very clear. FS-31 comes to a
Y where continuing up to the right keeps you on FS-31. Make sure you drive down to the left. The road turns left past a large camp site then crosses a creek and continues up a ridge.
Two steep climbs bring you up in elevation quick. We hit snow early on the second climb at about 4,000 ft. This was a little slippery to navigate in the snow. At this point, I was a little worried that the snow was going to be more trouble than anticipated. I was dreading turning around so soon since we just started the journey. Luckily this was the steepest and most challenging section of roadway we would navigate all day.
We continued down Barber Springs road gaining elevation and snow depth along the way. The snow depth was roughly 3 to 4 inches judging by my tire treads. It was about this time that I shifted into 4-wheel low for better control in the snow. It was exciting to be first vehicle to navigate the fresh powder since the snow storm.
We then crossed into the Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest where Barber Springs road turnes into FS-1701. We continued on FS-1701 until FS-530. We followed FS-530 up Bald Mountain and past Summit Springs. There was not much to see from Summit Springs on this trip but on a clear day I bet this view would be spectacular.
We followed FS-530 until about the Milk Lake region. Here, FS-530 turns into FS-644. The sign also indicated that this was the easiest way. We followed this a 100 ft or so only to meet some not-so-easy terrain. We decided to turn-around after looking down a rather steep, rocky jeep trail. I would have driven it had it not been for the snow. We followed some other roads in the area only to meet several other dead ends. We were trying to follow FS-530 up to FS-965. FS-965 would then head westward until it intersected with SR-410 near the Little Naches Campground.
After looking at the map for a bit, we decided to turn back to FS-1701 and drive south to SR-410. Following FS-1701, we came to the intersection of FS-1720. Orange and black arrows indicated that the easiest way out was via FS-1720. I consulted the map to get an idea where this road would head and sure enough it ended at SR-410 via Rock Creek Road. We followed FS-1720 down out of the snow which turns into FS-1702. FS-1702 becomes Rock Creek Rd after leaving the National Forest.
We followed SR-410 the rest of the way home. On Chinook Pass, on SR-410, we were surprised to see more snow on it than we did in the mountains on the forest service roads. I thought this was a little ironic. All in all, the trip left us with the realization that winter truly is here. Here is a composite topographical map of our route. Listed below are some trip totals marked by my GPS.
- Trip Totals
- Total Time: 6:37
- Total Stopped Time: 1:07
- Total Moving Time: 5:30
- Average Speed: 30.4 mph
- Average Moving Speed: 36.5 mph
Total Miles: 211
You can check out more photos at
http://moxta.lantea.org/gallery/adve...ensburg_to_410 
11-14-2007, 12:42 PM
Ellensburg to 410 - 12 Nov 2007 
