Eastern Washington Off Road
New Years Colockum Snow Run
Report by Clay Graham / CegPics.com
On Saturday January 1st, 2011 we had a Eastern Washington Off Road run up Colockum Road. The drivers on this run were Foxracer in his Rubicon, Ron the Parts Guy in his XJ, Tiny in his XJ, Don in his XJ and Test Dummy in his XJ. Foxracer was the Trail Boss. I rode with Test Dummy. We started the run at noon from Olmstead State Park which was not to far away from Colockum Road. We Ran Colockum Road to about the 4900 foot elevation. The snow at that point was deep powder and would not pack. The four rigs that went into the last area got stuck. Don parked just before the deep powder area and came up to help with recovery. Once everyone got back to where Don was parked, we headed back down. Once at the bottom we aired up and were headed home just before 5 PM.
This was a great run with good people. The area looks to be in good shape for the most part. We did not see anyone doing any resource damage but saw some tracks that were close. We pick up some trash left by target shooters across from where we aired down.
Here are the pictures of the day:
I took this picture as we were driving in the Yakima River Canyon from Selah. The Yakima River was frozen in areas.
Here we are at Olmstead State Park getting ready to pull out.
We drove north on Ferguson Road and then turned east onto Vantage Hwy.
We turned north on Number 81 road, then east on Brick Mill Road and then north on Colockum Road.
We stopped to air down after we past the last house a long the road.
Heading up Colockum road.
Don got stuck so everyone else tested their rigs where there were no tracks.
Ron the Parts Guy pulled Don to get him going again.
Ron the Parts Guy got himself stuck.
Tiny had to air down more because he could not get his XJ to move out of the deep snow.
Don pulled Ron the Parts Guy to get him going.
Moving on up Colockum Road.
At this point the snow was deep powder and Don decided to wait to see how the other did before driving into it.
Foxracer suck his Rubicon.
Tiny playing around.
Ron the Parts Guy going up to pull Foxracer out. He hits it hard through the deep snow ruts.
Test Dummy followed but got stuck.
Up front Ron the Parts Guy took the lead after pulling Foxracer out.
Ron the Parts Guy got stuck and then Foxracer did too. The first 3 rigs were all stuck.
Tiny going around the deep snow ruts.
Garmin says we are driving on Colockum Road but it should have said, “Stuck on Colockum Road”.
It is a stare down!
Tiny pulled Test Dummy out and Test Dummy hit it hard to get across.
Tiny got stuck trying to follow.
Ron the Parts Guy happy to be wheelin’.
Looking from the front rig back.
Don playing with his son.
Here we are after turning around, stuck again.
Tiny pulled Test Dummy out. Test Dummy took another run and made it farther than the last time.
Mt. Rainier in the distance.
Tiny got stuck back where Test Dummy just was.
Foxracer pulled Tiny out and then came around to help Test Dummy.
Foxracer tried to pull Test Dummy out but got stuck. Time for the winch.
Once the strap was off, Foxracer pulled forward to a harder packed area so Test Dummy could winch out.
That worked well.
Willy and Bubz keeping warm.
Tiny moving fast across the deep powder.
Back out where Don was parked waiting for everyone to pass us since we were the tail gunner rig.
On the move back down Colockum Road toward Kittitas.
Here we are airing up at the place we aired down earlier.
What a fun day!