Over Mission Ridge, WA - 9/22/2007

[Photog]

The Mission Ridge drive is planned for Sept 22.
Cindy & Brian will be leading this one. There
will be a scouting trip over this route on Aug
26th, to verify the exit route, and to log the
route into my GPS. We will find a good place
to meet in Cashmere, and a good place to eat in
Cle Elum (or Ellensburg). We also need to make
sure the road will be open through September.
For the scouting trip, we plan to leave Cashmere
at about 10am, as we will be driving over from
Tacoma.

We traveled part of this route a few weeks ago,
and you will need a high clearance vehicle for
the worst spots.

More details and announcements, after the
scouting trip.

Brian & Cindy

[Photog]

On Sept 22, we will meet at Barney's. We plan to leave at 9:00am; so if you want to eat there, arrive early enough to order & eat.

Barney's is behind the Doane's Pharmacy & Cliford's.
Address: 112 Elberta St, Cashmere, WA.
Phone: (509) 782-3637


GPS coords: N 47.52253 x W120.46848 (for the Geo-Cacher in all of us).

From the corner of Aplets Way & Elberta, it looks like this: (Aplets Way, is the east entrance to the town, from Hwy 2)

[Photog]

The entire route is open and in good shape. There are no major mudholes or trees blocking the road. There is one tree I would like to drag out of the road, before the "drive around" becomes the permanaent route.

The scouting trip from Cashmere to Ellensburg took 8 hours. We took time to air down tires, check out all the bathrooms, take pictures (of all the bathrooms ), stretch, air up tires, etc. Airing down the tires really helps reduce driving/riding fatigue.

There are bathrooms at the start (Barney's), Beehive Lake, Haney Meadow (Wilcox Horse Camp), and Lion Rock. It is a two hour drive from Beehive Lake to Haney Meadow; so we will have to make some stops along the way.

There is one tough spot, and the reason for a high clearance vehicle:





There are picnic tables & bathrooms at Haney Meadow, and it would be a good place for lunch. Bring your lunch, drinks and snacks.


Haney Meadow facilities:


There are huge views of the district:


Mt Stuart on the left:


One of the views from Lion Rock:


We saw a coyote and a large group of turkeys; but no deer or elk.

We will end the day in Ellensburg or Cle Elum, where we can rest and eat at someone's favorite restaurant, or head off as necessary.

It will be a great time! See you on September 22, at Barney's in Cashmere.

[Steve]

Nice job on the scouting report and pictures.

I wish I could make it but I have to work the night before and could not make it Cashmere in time.

Steve

[Jerry]

Thanks for the very descriptive scouting report. Nice pics. Good job! We are looking forward to the trip and will see you in Cashmere on Sept 22nd.
Jerry

[Photog]

For those that like to visit fire towers, here is a little info about Lions Rock.

Established as a camp with crow's nest tree platform in the 1920's, this 40' pole L-4 tower was built in 1932. Then a new 40' L-4 tower was constructed in 1948, and destroyed in 1967. Apparently the L-4 cab from the first tower was salvaged and moved to Sugarloaf L.O. in 1949.


We have recently been to the fire tower on Sugarloaf, and visited with the volunteer that works in that tower. It is an easy drive from Leavenworth, to see the tower that used to be on Lion Rock. There are still a couple concrete foundation pieces on Lion Rock, and a USGS marker, plqaced there in the 1940's.

Come with us on Sept. 22, and check it out.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Photog

For those that like to visit fire towers, here is a little info about Lions Rock.

Great information. Old lookout sites are fun to explore. Unless the trees have grown up, they provide great photo opportunities.

Steve

[Photog]

Hey everyone. This is the two week reminder, for the Backroad Drivers tour over Mission Ridge to Lion Rock. We start in Cashmere and end in Ellensburg or Cle Elum. All day drive, with great views, and good company.

Remember, Sept 22, 9:00am at Barney's in Cashmere.

[Photog]

Tour Reminder

Mission Ridge Tour
September 22, 2007

Hello again everyone,
This is the week reminder message, for the Mission
Ridge trail run. Check the previous posts for the
exact info. We will be meeting at Barney's in Cashmere.
Leaving there at 9:00am, Sept 22.



Let us know if you will be joining us:

So far we have:
1) Brian & Cindy
2) Jerry & Evelyn

Cheers
Brian

[Photog]

Reminders:
This will be an all day trip. Bring drinks, water, etc. Bring a lunch and some snacks. Bring jackets; it may be cool up on top. Don't forget cameras and binoculars, the views are great.

See you all Saturday.