Posts Tagged ‘trip report’

Trip Report – Mt Baker South Side Run (Washington)

Posted on the forum by Chris.

The trip was actually back in October, but I haven’t seen any write up, so now that I have internet up and running, I thought I would get one going.

The trip started at the Lymen Cafe off HWY20, though several of us met up getting gas at the 76 prior to that. There was a grand total of 6 rigs making this trip; Mark< backwoods3> out front, then rickey8587, followed by tjguy98 down from Canada. Joshua< mountain ox> was then infront of my wife, Krystal, and I brang up the rear.
The weather wasnt the best as for as really seeing the sights goes, but it wasnt raining and we had some sun.

Read more at Mt Baker South Side Run

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 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).

Trip Report: La Grande, Oregon Scenic Tour – 10/18/08

Over on the forum, hutchman posted a great trip report on his trip out of La Grande, Oregon on October 18, 2008. It looks like it was a fun trip. Thanks to hutchman for posting the trip report and photos.

Read the entire trip report and view photos at La Grande, OR Scenic Tour – Oct. 18th

Trip Report: Clemen Mountain Tour – 10.04.2008

Photo by Brian (aka Photog)

Over on the forum, Jerry provided us with another fantastic, well written, detailed trip report (Jerry – did you ever write professionally?) on the Clemen Mountain trip on October 4, 2008 just off SR410 near Cliffdell, Washington.

They had a great turnout despite a rainy Friday night and a very foggy Saturday.

You can read the trip report at Clemen Mountain Tour (10-04-08).

And thanks to Brian and Brandon for posting up some nice photos of the trip.

Trip Report: Moses Lake Sand Dunes, Washington 09.27.2008

Just off I90 in Eastern Washington, near the city of Moses Lake, there is the Grant County ORV Area. This area is one of the few true sand dunes ORV areas in Washington state.

If you’ve never been there, Jerry posted up a report on the forum with a lot of photos from his trip on September 27th, 2008.

You can read the entire trip report at Moses Lake Sand Dunes.

Enjoy.