This week's adventure took my Dad and I to the Manastash area near Ellensburg in Washington State. We started at Rider's Camp (Buck Meadows) which is a primitive campground about 10 miles outside of Ellensburg. In town, the temperature was about 60 degrees, but when we got up onto the mountain, the temperature dropped to about 40. It was nice and sunny though and it eventually warmed up to the lower 80's.
We headed out looking for Manastash Lake. We found trail number 1350 right next to the campground and headed up the mountain. The trail was a mix of dirt, rocks, tree roots, rocks, sharp turns, rocks, steep hills, rocks, nice flat areas, and rocks. It was hard for me, but it was very tough for my Dad.
Trail Head:
Lost Lake:
There were many bridges along the trail:
Manastash Lake:
We made it to the top of the mountain and the Manastash Lake trail intersected a Jeep trail
and began looking for the Moon Rocks and Funny Rocks.
Funny Rocks (part of them, we think):
Moon Rocks:
On our way down the trail. We followed Jeep trail 4W307. The trail seemed harmless
at the top of the ridge, but quickly turned into a nightmare on the way down.
Our route:
We went only 13 miles, but it was all in first gear. This was the toughest ride we have ever been on.
The Manastash Trail was hard for us, but that damn Jeep trail just about killed us.
The Jeep trail at the top looked great and we thought we would have a nice ride down. It just turned into a steep rocky mess and at times it took both of us to get one bike down. I thought it would be hard, but I figured I would ride my bike down and walk up and ride my Dad's down. It was over my head.
I am very lucky to be able to ride with my Dad. He is 62 and goes pretty much everywhere I do although its harder for him. Its nice that we can have that time together. I wish everyone could be as lucky as I am.
I need to get over to the east side of the state more often.
I wish my old man would hang out with me like yours. His body is able be getting him motivated is another thing.
Have you looked for the legendary Mel's hole over there at all?
Backstory......
Mel's Hole is the name given to an alleged geographic anomaly that is said to have been discovered near Ellensburg, Washington, on land belonging to local resident Mel Waters. Waters claimed that he lived in or near Manastash, Washington, about nine miles due west of Ellensburg. According to Waters, the hole has paranormal properties, including an infinite depth and the ability to restore dead animals to life.
I was in Ellensburg a couple weeks ago because my oldest is heading for CWU this fall. My impresseion of the area was that it is completely barren. I was pleasantly surprized by your photos just 10 miles further west. Thanks for posting them.
"Spacious campsites are scattered along the shore, each with a well-used fire ring. A nice campsite right at the edge of a mountain lake is a rare find, in these days of fervent riparian protectionism, where 100-foot restrictions are common. There is a trade-off, though. I said this is "almost ideal," not quite, because it’s open to motorcycles. The trail is too short to be of interest to very many of them, though, and those that we met were respectful of us hikers."
BTW, the Mel's Hole story is great. I listened to parts of the radio interview. The guy is either one of the best storytellers ever, or he is telling the truth.
I too thought Manastash Ridge was a barren landscape filled with dirt and sagebrush and it is at the east end of it. As you go west, sagebrush mixes with pines and then pines mix with firs. It is truly a great place to hike or motorcycle. And yes, the lake does have a nice camp area along the shore. Its one big area so you may have neighbors if you decided to spend the night.
That's a great ride Rainman. Ive wheeled at Funny Rocks many many times. You and your dad should do the Naches trail. Some nice machines you guys have there.
I would love to do the Naches Trail. I've heard it would be tough for a TW but do-able. I'll have to build my Dad's confidence up first because the Manastash trail really riled him.
I would love to do the Naches Trail. I've heard it would be tough for a TW but do-able. I'll have to build my Dad's confidence up first because the Manastash trail really riled him.
Rainman, not tough at all. Ive wheeled if from its beginning off of forest road 70 in the Greenwater area all the way to its end near Whistling Jacks. Youd enjoy it.
I need to get my butt over there too. I dont even own a TW yet, but Im looking for one.
Rainman, not tough at all. Ive wheeled if from its beginning off of forest road 70 in the Greenwater area all the way to its end near Whistling Jacks. Youd enjoy it.
I need to get my butt over there too. I dont even own a TW yet, but Im looking for one.
I really don't think you started from the beginning of the trail. It is deceptive on the actual beginning because it crosses many logging roads. The Very beinning is close to the snowpark and it is so steep rocks will roll past you from the person above.It is a good trail because you have a choice to by pass the steep stuff.
I really don't think you started from the beginning of the trail. It is deceptive on the actual beginning because it crosses many logging roads. The Very beinning is close to the snowpark and it is so steep rocks will roll past you from the person above.It is a good trail because you have a choice to by pass the steep stuff.
You never could drive/ride the beginning because of all the cliffs. The start of the trail is where I said it was. You turn Ninety degrees right and start climbing hard up hill.
Attention t dubbers we are putting a ride together for Saturday may 30 pa coal country region north umberland county all back country roads premapped and marked. Many covered bridges. Slow paced Join us many tw’s ready to go. Message me if you need details ,
Well I did not, though the level of soreness I will have in the next couple of days may make me rethink that. Went for about 12 miles, seemed like 120, of trail riding with a guy I have know for 50 years but have never ridden with. We have mutual friends that we both have ridden street and off...
Just a quick trip up moose trails into the talkeetna mountains near wasilla alaska. Pretty much constantly uphill on narrow trails that are at the limit of tge climbing ability of my bike. Near the top there is a smorgasbord of chocolate lilly bulbs...watermellon berry shoots...nettle...cow...
This post is to discuss and plan a ride for folks interested in doing a camp/ride in Easter Mt Rainier National Park and/or Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Please let me know if you’re interested, and when you’d be able to make it. If there’s enough interest by folks to do this annually, I...
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