Okanogan Barricaded roads ok?

japerry · Feb 20, 2009

I really enjoy excursion trips.. places like whipsaw, rubicon, and other nice long trails brings a whole different sense to wheeling for me.

I'm looking around finding out where I could take long trips in the states, preferably WA, and I came across this:

If your OHV is not licensed, it may be used ONLY on roads that are blocked with rocks, trees or earthen barriers and not open for passenger cars or trucks. Be sure that the blocked road is not show on the Okanogan National Forest Travel Plan Map as closed to all motorized vehicle use or closed on the ground with a written order.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/oka/maps/travplan.shtml

I was amazed! I always thought blocked roads meant no access, I guess I was wrong!

perhaps its just true for the Okanogan?

Nevertheless, I've been having fun all afternoon on google maps, trying to figure out a nice 50-80mi camping/excursion trail run that isn't too far away. It looks like there are some good possibilities on the east side!

I really wish there was a way to wheel to Stehekin or Holden village. Stehekin is not easily possible because of the wilderness land (but who knows) and Holden, well, its in between 3 huge mtns and a lake. Either would be fun though.. and to see the faces on those hippies would be classic :redneck: (I lived at Holden for a little bit... VERY little bit.. like one month =P)

zukkev · Feb 20, 2009

japerry said:
.......: (I lived at Holden for a little bit)

You hippy!!!!!!:haha:

unclestripey · Feb 21, 2009

Stehekin and Holden...two of my favorite places.....--puts flame suit on--cuz you gotta get there on foot! The North Cascades hold some of the most beautiful places on Earth, can't wait to get back in the high country!!

jeepn · Feb 21, 2009

Afew years ago I searched every map I could find with the idea of driving to Stehekin. I couldn't come up with a legal way to do it. I did think I could drop into Holden with a little trail-blazing but all it would do is piss the locals off, didn't think it was worth it. Sure would be fun though.

Freeride · Feb 22, 2009

Forget driving to Stehekin or Holden. They'd lynch you in a heartbeat. Fun trip in a ski boat though. I've taken our 21' up to Stehekin twice. 55 miles each way and the waves get BIG up north on the lake.

Further up into Okanogan around the Conconully area there's plenty of trails & backroads to explore.

japerry · Feb 23, 2009

jeepn said:
Afew years ago I searched every map I could find with the idea of driving to Stehekin. I couldn't come up with a legal way to do it. I did think I could drop into Holden with a little trail-blazing but all it would do is piss the locals off, didn't think it was worth it. Sure would be fun though.

Heh, I'm curious how you'd make it... since topo maps on google show huge mtns all around, it'd be quite hard to get to holden. Heh, if you could figure out a way to get to the road and appear like you're driving from Lucerne :redneck:

But yah Stehekin is impossible. The national park forbids offroad use, and everything east of stehekin is Illegal wilderness area.

So back to excursion runs, any other ideas of a fun, long camping+excursion run in WA? BC has whipsaw (which I'm doing this summer), but other ideas would be fun.

BodyDamage · Feb 23, 2009

Check out Slate Peak and Hart's Pass near Mazama Wa. It is the highest elevation road in Wa. We drove the full size dodge up there a few years ago, so it's not much wheeling but it is gorgeous! And there was a few roads up there that we didn't take. It goes up over 7000ft, truly alpine. We spend all day up there hiking around. There is a campground up there near the top but it was totally infested with mosquitos.