Clover Springs / Little Bald Mountain Overland Tour – 6.09.2007

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 from. Also, there was bound to be snow this time of year, which places a new twist on the adventure.

The meeting place was the Gold Creek Station Restaurant, just East of Cliffdell. By the time I arrived from my trip over Chinook Pass, the group was 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 4×4 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 Rover 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 immediately after leaving SR 410 and followed the Bumping River downstream. The river becomes the Naches River at the confluence of the Little Naches River (which is visible from FS 1704). All along, this area is marked mining claims. Unfortunately, from the road, we did not see anybody working on 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 the Nile and take FS 1600 to the same area.

FS 1709 started 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 had.

FS 1709 eventually intersects FS 1600 (from the Nile area), where we saw the first signs directing us to Clover Springs. From this intersection, the road narrowed and became rougher as it switched back up the ridge. The more we climbed, the forest opened up to quite a few meadows where we could tell that the snow had 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 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 with 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 where multiple trees had fallen across the road, which required a little detour from the main road. While discussing if we would continue, we met up with a group of primarily Toyota 4×4 pickups on their way out (they had passed us earlier in the day). After a little discussion, Shirley decided she would not attempt the crossing in her Land Rover and would wait until we all returned.

Jerry and Evelyn in the Bronco II were the first across the log crossing. 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 4×4 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 the 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 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 4×4 trail but not for the vehicles we 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 with the rest of the group.

Going back, the log crossing was no problem for any of the vehicles (especially for me when I engaged my center diff lock).

Once the group was back together, we headed back down FS 1600 where it met up with FS 1709 and followed it down. Jerry led us down some roads that showed they were through roads (at least on the map) that eventually turned into 4×4 trails (FS1709-358 and FS 1709-356). Both would look like fun if a person had the right vehicle.

Once we came to FS 1706, we followed it to the Naches River. Once we got to the paved road, we took a left and followed the road into the Boulder Creek Cabe Recreation Area. Because it was late in the day, we didn’t have time to explore the area, but there is a picnic area along the Naches River as well as a one-mile hike up to Boulder Cave.

From Boulder Cave, we stayed on the same side of the river and followed Old River Road along the Naches River for a couple of miles until it reached SR 410 near Gold Creek Station. Along the way, we passed summer cabins, permanent homes, farms, and some narrow roadways between rock cliffs and the river.

Our tour ended once we got back to the Gold Creek Station. We all said our goodbyes, and everybody headed on their way. My daughter and I couldn’t resist having dinner in the restaurant, so that’s where we headed. The food was delicious and had very large portions. I highly recommend stopping at the Gold Creek Station for a meal.

It was a nice change to get out with a group. Not only is it safer to travel with others in the backroads, but it also makes it a lot more enjoyable. All the people in the group were great people I would like to see them again. Jerry was a great tour leader and could fill us in on details of the area.

If you ever get a chance to participate in a tour with Backroad Drivers Northwest, I highly recommend it. I’m hoping I will be able to make the next trip.

For additional trip photos, please visit Clover Springs and Little Bald Mountain Backroads Tour Photos.