Cowiche Ridge Snow Wheeling
Hosted by Peak Putters
Report & photos by Clay Graham / CegPics.com
On Saturday February 18th, 2012 I met BlindPilot and Joker at Highland Quick Stop for breakfast and fuel. Around 8:40 AM we headed out to meet up with the Peak Putters at the parking area at the end of the pavement on Cowiche Mill Road. I rode along with BlindPilot in his TJ.
Once we meet with the Peak Putters at the Cowiche Mill Parking area and were aired down, we headed up the gravel part of Cowiche Mill Road. Then we turned on C-1000 and went up on Cowiche Ridge. A few miles up around the private lots the snow got deep and became a challenge. It was time to let more air out. The stock JK turned around and headed back.
We moved on up the ridge stopping here and there when someone got stuck. At the Strobach Mountain 4×4 Trailhead we stopped for lunch.
After lunch we headed up the Strobach Mountain 4×4 Trail. At the Hogback a few rigs tried to make it over. Roy broke trail around the Hogback. Command14 got crossed up on top of the Hogback and had to back down the side of it. Once he was down, we all headed around where Roy broke trail. It was a challenge to get around the Hogback since it was off camber.
On up the Strobach Mountain 4×4 Trail the snow got deeper. The hill right before where the trail gets tight in the trees, stopped us from going any farther. A few tried but were denied.
We headed back down Cowiche Ridge. Right before dropping off the ridge, we took a break and added air to the tires.
We dropped on down and parted ways from the Peak Putters at Cowiche Mill Road. With BlindPilot and Joker’s TJs, we headed up Cowiche Mill Road and turned up Doggone Road. At the Y we headed toward the East. The wind started blowing snow real hard so we decided to turn around. As we came back down the wind had already blew enough snow to cover our tire tracks.
We headed out and aired up back at the Cowiche Parking area. After air BlindPilot dropped me off at Highland Quick Stop so I could get my rig.
This was a very fun time. Thank you Peak Putters for the invite. Thank you BlindPilot for the ride.
Here are some pictures of the day:
Airing down at parking area at the end of the paved part of Cowiche Mill Road.
Commando14 missed the turn.
Turning on C-1000
On up on Cowiche Ridge.
Up near the private sections the snow got deep.
Most let out more air.
Joker
Just a weird tree. The landmark of where the snow usually gets deep.
Roy pushing on.
A lot of rigs getting stuck right here.
Commando14
Joker getting pulled out.
Danny
BlindPilot after helping Joker.
Roy waiting for us to catch up.
I got out to help find the trail. Got a few photos before getting back in BlindPilot’s TJ.
A nice ride breaking trail.
Regrouping in the middle of the last long climb.
Joker needing a little help.
Dropping off near the end of Cowiche Ridge Road.
Lunch at the Cattle Guard before hitting the Strobach Mountain 4×4 Trail.
On up the Strobach Mountain 4×4 Trail at the Hogback. Some played on the Hogback and Roy broke trail around.
Commando14 having some trouble on the Hogback.
Commando14 backs off the side of the Hogback.
Commando14 made it into Roy’s tracks and then we all headed around the Hogback.
Joker had to winch off BlindPilot’s rig to get through.
The group waiting for us on top of the next climb.
Moving up the Strobach Mountain 4×4 Trail.
Wow the snow got deeper.
No one could make it up the climb so we turned around and headed back the way we came.
There was a Side-by-side that showed up and then was gone.
Going around the Hogback.
Heading up the last drop on Cowiche Ridge Road.
At the switchback before dropping off Cowiche Ridge some added air to their tires.
We dropped on down and parted ways from the Peak Putters at Cowiche Mill Road.
With BlindPilot and Joker’s TJs, we headed up Cowiche Mill Road and turned up Doggone Road.
At the Y we headed toward the East. The wind started blowing snow real hard so we decided to turn around.
As we came back down the wind had already blew enough snow to cover our tire tracks.
We headed out and aired up back at the Cowiche Parking area.
After air BlindPilot dropped me off at Highland Quick Stop so I could get my rig.
This was a very fun time. Thank you Peak Putters for the invite. Thank you BlindPilot for the ride.
