Yakima County Ridge Views Backroads Run
Hosted by Eastern Washington Off Road
Run Called by Lisa Graham AKA “99”.
By Clay / CegPics.com
On July 4th, 2007, my wife (Nickname 99) wanted to go see some views from the top of some mountains since it was going to be hot in the Yakima Valley and it would be cooler up there. So we left Ceg Ranch around 10 AM with two rigs on this run. We topped our fuel tanks in Naches and headed west on Hwy12. At road FS1500 (Bethel Ridge Road) we turn off US12 and stopped to air down. The wash board was beating us up.
It was much smoother running 10 lbs. We headed up on top of Bethel Ridge to a view point near the Microwave tower. There were great views from there of Rimrock Lake, the Tieton Dam, Divide Ridge, Rimrock, Mount Adams, Goat Rocks and Mount Rainier.
Fatboy called to 911 about the fire that was down below us. We want to make sure someone knew about it in case it was not a controlled burn which it was.
Next we headed back over to FS1500 and head down to SR410. At SR410 we headed west a few miles to FS1702 (Rock Creek Rd). We took FS1702 to the end then hit 4W675. At FS1701-530 we went up to see the view from Bald Mountain Lookout. Here we turn around at 4W644. That is where the lookout tower used to stand.
Next we headed down FS1701-530 and then on down FS1701 to FS1712. We made our way toward Cleman Mountain Lookout. Once at the Fire Lookout Tower we were sadden to see what was left of the historical building. The cut it down. Fatboy told us he had seen the tower up a few years back and how someone was using it to watch a fire.
Next it was time to head on down the ridge toward SR410. We stopped at Mud Lake so the dogs could get cooled down. We decided to air up at Mud Lake since we were not to for from SR410 and that was the last shade on the trail. It was a very hot day.
After airing up we headed back to Ceg Ranch for a barbeque. A little after 9 PM we head to Yakima to watch the Independence Day fire words.
This was a real fun Independence Day. Special thanks to Fatboy for coming along.
Here are some photos of 99’s Yakima County Ridge Views Backroads Run:
