Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up
By Clay Graham

On Tuesday July 26th, 2011 we set up camp at the Ahtanum Sno-park for the “Ahtanum Camp-out” hosted by Eastern Washington Adventures. This is an open event to pre-run the trails before the “Ahtanum ORV Trails Clean-up” hosted by the Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association.

On Wednesday July 27th, 2011 we headed out of camp around 10 AM with four XJs (Tiny, Test Dummy, Don & Ceg) and one TJ (Foxracer). We took North Fork Ahtanum up toward Divide Ridge. We stopped off at Snow Cabin Campground to help the DNR pull the old sign post since a new Snow Cabin Campground sign was going up to reopen the campground that week. Test Dummy used his winch to pull the post and then we were on our way. We turned up the Blue Lake Trail and then onto 4W615 to Blue Lake. We stopped for a short break to let the kids and dogs run. It was a very nice day to be up there.

After a short break we headed up 4W615 toward Blue Slide Lookout. A long the way we found a patch of snow to drive across. Foxracer having the best built rig was the only one to get stuck. We helped him out and continued to Blue Slide Lookout to take in the view.

We headed on down the ridge on FS1020 crossing a long snow drift. We had to play a little before moving on. Again Foxracer got stuck. The guy was just having to much fun.

Next we turned down 4W613. That is where the work began. There were many trees that had fallen into the trail that we had to move. People had starting to making new bi-passes even though the snow just had melted enough to use the trail. We had to wheel over a few patches of snow to get down Foundation Ridge. A long the way we stopped for lunch at the Lower Meadow and stopped for breaks at the view points overlooking Rimrock. Dropping down toward Louie Way Gap, I ripped off my XJ’s tail light in an off camber section on a tree. Two other XJs drivers had to winch the rear of their Jeeps up the hill not to get smashed up on that same tree.

Once off 4W613 at Louie Way Gap, we ran C1000 out toward Nasty Creek Corrals. At Nasty Creek Corrals we gave Don some air and he headed home with his son. We headed back to camp in the Ahtanum Sno-park. Tiny headed home later that night.

On Thursday July 28th, 2011 we talk with the DNR and then headed out after 11 AM with two XJs (Test Dummy & Ceg) and one TJ (Foxracer). We headed up the Mid Fork Ahtanum and onto Whites Loop Road. Next we turned up Whites Ridge 4×4 Trail. We had a few trees to moved a long the way. We checked out the view points and picked up the trash we found. At the end of the trail we back tracked down to McLaine Canyon Road and ran it to the Mid Fork Ahtanum. We took the Mid Fork Ahtanum Road up to Eagle Nest. We hiked up to the view point and took a quick look. Next we drove up the Darland Mountain with a drive through of Cover Flats Campground on the way. Up on Darland Mountain we found a new sign that was broke. We guess someone drove on it when the snow was still deep. After a break on Darland Mountain we headed down the North Fork Ahtanum, across Whites Ridge on McLaine Canon Road, down Whites Ridge 4×4 Trail and then the Mid Fork Ahtanum Road to camp at the Ahtanum Sno-park. Guido was there waiting for us. Test Dummy and Foxracer had to head home since the both had to work the next day through the weekend.

On Friday July 29th, 2011 we headed out of camp around 10 AM with a XJ (Ceg), a TJ (Guido) and a quad (shared by the 4 kids). We ran the roads and trails of Sedge Ridge clearing the down trees that we could move. Some could not be moved because of there size.

When we got back to camp, we found TJ40 and his son was waiting for us.

My wife “99” came up after work that evening. Not long after 99 got there, our son “Doc” crashed his bicycle and 99 had to take him to the hospital for stitches. Late that night they came back to camp. Doc said he did not want to go home. Doc did not want to let me down by missing the clean-up.

On Saturday July 30th, 2011 we had people signing for the “Ahtanum ORV Trails Clean-up” hosted by the Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association around 9 AM. Different groups spread out across the Ahtanum State Forest to pick up trash. Over all the forest was pretty clean. There was 23 volunteers on this work day. Some of the volunteers were members of one of these clubs: Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association, Cascade Quad Squad or Jeeping Nomads.

On Sunday July 31st, 2011 we packed up camp and said our good byes. It was nice to be home but a lot hotter than where we were camped during the week.

Thank you! I want to say thank you to the volunteers that helped during this week. All these volunteer hours go to match funding to help the Ahtanum State Forest. I hope everyone will come back next year for another good time.

Here are some pictures of the great time we had:

Tuesday July 26th, 2011 we set up camp at the Ahtanum Sno-park for the “Ahtanum Camp-out” hosted by Eastern Washington Adventures. This is an open event to pre-run the trails before the “Ahtanum ORV Trails Clean-up” hosted by the Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 1

Wednesday July 27th, 2011 we headed out of camp around 10 AM with four XJs (Tiny, Test Dummy, Don & Ceg) and one TJ (Foxracer). We took North Fork Ahtanum up toward Divide Ridge. We stopped off at Snow Cabin Campground to help the DNR pull the old sign post since a new Snow Cabin Campground sign was going up to reopen the campground that week. Test Dummy used his winch to pull the post and then we were on our way.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 2

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 3

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 4

We turned up the Blue Lake Trail and then onto 4W615 to Blue Lake. We stopped for a short break to let the kids and dogs run. It was a very nice day to be up there.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 5

After a short break we headed up 4W615 toward Blue Slide Lookout. A long the way we found a patch of snow to drive across. Foxracer having the best built rig was the only one to get stuck.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 6

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 7

We helped Foxracer out and continued to Blue Slide Lookout to take in the view.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 8

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 9

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 10

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 11

We headed on down the ridge on FS1020 crossing a long snow drift. We had to play a little before moving on.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 12

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 13

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 14

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 15

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 16

Again Foxracer got stuck. The guy was just having to much fun.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 17

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 18

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 19

Next we turned down 4W613. That is where the work began.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 20

There were many trees that had fallen into the trail that we had to move.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 21

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 22

We had to wheel over a few patches of snow to get down Foundation Ridge.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 23

Strobach Springs
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 24

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 25

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 26

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 27

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 28

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 29

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 30

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 31

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 32

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 33

Fixing a trail drain.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 34

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 35

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 36

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 37

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 38

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 39

We stopped for lunch at the Lower Meadow.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 40

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 41

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 42

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 43

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 44

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 45

Odo riding with Foxracer.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 46

The Dome Peak Fire Area had a lot of trees down.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 47

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 48

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 49

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 50

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 51

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 52

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 53

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 54

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 55

This is a fun part of the trail just north of the Upper Meadow.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 56

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 57

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 58

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 59

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 60

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 61

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 62

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 63

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 64

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 65

We stopped for a breaks at Strobach Mountain Vista. Mt. Rainier overlooking Rimrock.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 66

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 67

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 68

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 69

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 70

Dropping down toward Louie Way Gap there is a off camber area that is tight for the longer rigs.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 71

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 72

I ripped off my XJ’s tail light on that section.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 73

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 74

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 75

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 76

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 77

Test Dummy could not get the rear of his XJ to stay up hill.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 78

They had to winch the rear of his Jeep up the hill not to get smashed up on that same tree I hit.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 79

Here Hank is airing up the tires on the down hill side.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 80

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 81

Tiny’s turn. He also got the rear of his rig winched over to fit through the trees.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 82

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 83

Here we are at the view point of Louie Way.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 84

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 85

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 86

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 87

We picked this guy a long the way.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 88

Regrouping. 4W613 at 4W608.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 89

Once off 4W613 at Louie Way Gap, we ran C1000 out toward Nasty Creek Corrals. At Nasty Creek Corrals we gave Don some air and he headed home with his son. We headed back to camp in the Ahtanum Sno-park. Tiny headed home later that night.

Thursday July 28th, 2011 we talk with the DNR and then headed out after 11 AM with two XJs (Test Dummy & Ceg) and one TJ (Foxracer).

Leaving to Ahtanum Sno-park.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 90

We headed up the Mid Fork Ahtanum and onto Whites Loop Road. Next we turned up Whites Ridge 4×4 Trail. We had a few trees to moved a long the way.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 91

We checked out Norm’s Check Point.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 92

Next we moved on up to Make-out Point.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 93

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 94

Great view of Mt. Adams from there.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 95

Moving up the trail removing down trees and trash for the Whites Ridge 4×4 Trail.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 96

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 97

At the end of the trail we back tracked.

A great view of Mt. Rainier.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 98

Coming back down Whites Ridge 4×4 Trail.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 99

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 100

Down at McLaine Canyon Road we headed to the Mid Fork Ahtanum. We took the Mid Fork Ahtanum Road up to Eagle Nest.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 101

We hiked up to the view point and took a quick look.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 102

Ceg and his kids.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 103

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 104

Next we drove up toward Darland Mountain. We drove through the Cover Flats Campground on the way.

Right before the top of Darland Mountain we stopped to get some pictures.

Mount. St. Helens
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 105

Mount Adams
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 106

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 107

Here we are on the top of Darland Mountain. Mount Rainier in the background.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 108

On Darland Mountain we found a new sign that was broken. We guess someone drove on it when the snow was still deep.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 109

Foxracer on the rim of the Super Bowl of Darland Mountain.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 110

Down on the North Fork Ahtanum.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 111

Miles down the North Fork Ahtanum we turned off to run across Whites Ridge on McLain Canon Road. Then we turned down Whites Ridge 4×4 Trail.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 112

Dirty trail riders!
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 113

We headed over to the Mid Fork Ahtanum Road to camp at the Ahtanum Sno-park. Guido was there waiting for us.

My kids gave Guido something to do. LOL
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 114

Foxracer played us some songs.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 115

Test Dummy and Foxracer had to head home since the both had to work the next day through the weekend.

Friday July 29th, 2011 we headed out of camp around 10 AM with a XJ (Ceg), a TJ (Guido) and a quad (shared by the 4 kids).

We headed up the Red Saddle Road and then ran A2430 onto 1490.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 116

At the “End Of Green Dot” on Sedge Ridge over Tampico.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 117

Doc
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 118

We headed across the top of Sedge Ridge and onto the Sedge Ridge 4×4 Trail.

At the Rocky Climb I towed the quad to the top for safety reasons.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 119

We stopped because of a tree in the trail and Odo found this cool hat.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 120

Where the South Fork Ahtanum Road runs onto the Sedge Ridge 4×4 Trail.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 121

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 122

We turned around at the Cultus Hole View Point. We took a break for lunch there.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 123

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 124

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 125

When we got back to camp, we found TJ40 and his son was waiting for us.

My wife “99” came up after work that evening. Not long after 99 got there, our son “Doc” crashed his bicycle and 99 had to take him to the hospital for stitches. Late that night they came back to camp. Doc said he did not want to go home. Doc did not want to let me down by missing the clean-up.

Saturday July 30th, 2011 we had people signing for the clean-up around 9 AM. Different groups spread out across the Ahtanum State Forest to pick up trash.

Jeepscum, Monster and Bubz riding off for trash.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 126

We stuck around Base Camp to sign people in and out. We picked up the Sno-park as we waited for people checking in.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 127

Education items to give out.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 128

Doc after his trip to the hospital.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 129

Jeepscum’s group coming in.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 130

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 131

The Cascade Quad Squad coming in.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 132

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 133

Most of the Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association member that came to help on Saturday.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 134

Dropping the trash off in DNR dumpster.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 135

Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 136

Don and his wife came back late with a Jeep full of trash.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 137

Over all the forest was pretty clean. There was 23 volunteers on this work day. Some of the volunteers were members of one of these clubs: Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association, Cascade Quad Squad or Jeeping Nomads.

Sunday July 31st, 2011 we turned in some items to the DNR tool shed. On the way we saw tow rabbits.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 138

We got back to camp and saw two deer in the Sno-park.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 139

We packed up camp, said our good byes and headed home. It was nice to be home but a lot hotter than were we camped during the week.

I would like to thank 4WheelingPlus.com for the use of the trailer. This really helped with the work parties.
Ahtanum Camp-out & ORV Trails Clean-up 140

Thank you! I want to say thank you to the volunteers that helped during this week. All these volunteer hours go to match funding to help the Ahtanum State Forest. I hope everyone will come back next year for another good time.

About Ceg

Photojournalist at CegPics.com
This entry was posted in News. Bookmark the permalink.