Thanks for an awesome trip everyone! I published a trip report with my photos here: https://www.northwestoverland.com/join-the-discussion/trip-reports/ellensburg-to-highway-20-on-wabdr

Please feel free to add your own photos or links to photos.

Nicholas- it was great going to Ardenvoir, just a bit of pinstriping up 7415, as expected.

Awesome.

How was the trail conditions from Cashmere through Ardenvoir

Here are some of the photos I took. I edited them on my phone and now see that I need to wait until I'm on my tablet.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/OverlandOn/photos/?tab=album&album_id=236148016982122

Leaving Seattle at 7:00am to make it to IHOB in Ellensburg by 9.

Well crud. I've been unable to get up to the WABDR and take a peek for you. Sorry. Enjoy the trip, it's good stuff.

Nathan .... I was unable to join in on the call since I was on a flight back to SeaTac. We're still in but will have to leave and return on Sunday mid-day-ish due to items at work. Can you give me a call with the details discussed on the conference call ..... 253-375-2140. Thanks.

I went up this weekend and did a bit of scouting out ahead of the trip. I wound up hooking up with with some other folks on the trail so I was able to get a more scouting in than I was expecting to do solo. Here are some of things I learned.

First off, I saw no snow on any of the roads I was on- hopefully that's the case for the whole route.

Second, Section 3 is definitely still washed out at Mission Peak. There are actually a few different washouts, some of which are passable with effort, but one of which is really only suitable for single track (as Scott indicated). That means where FS35 hits FS9712 we'll take a left instead of a right and head over to Blewett Pass on FS9716. From there we can either just take 97 down to Cashmere to start Section 4, or we can go across 97 to FS7324 (Scotty Creek Road) and then join back up with 97 later. I went a little ways down this road and it looked fine, although the Forest Service still claims it is snow covered. It's just a bit of a bypass to avoid a section of 97, so it's not a major impact if we get down it and have to turn around and come back to 97, so I'd like to give it a shot.

Third, FS7415, which is the beginning of Section 4 at the head of Nehahum Canyon is pretty rutted and pretty overgrown. Ruts looked to be 8-10 inches in spots, although I was able to stay out of the ruts nearly everywhere, and in most places the road was dry and firm around the ruts. There was a bit of mud, but assuming it doesn't rain much between now and next week it will be passable. Everyone should be prepared for the possibility of getting muddy if we have to do an extraction. In sections the underbrush is really overgrown, so expect moderate pinstriping. I didn't find this section of road enjoyable; I would love to find another certain way to get up to FS7400, but the Forest Service claims that Derby Canyon Road is gated at FS7400, which would have been my other choice. So, we'll just try and suffer through this little bit of trouble to get up to the good stuff.

Fourth, it's still pretty cold in the mountains. I camped out near Mission Peak and saw 29 degrees over night. By mid afternoon temps up around 6000 feet were closer to 50, but it's still a good idea to come prepared to cold weather.

Fifth, there is a good chance we'll see trees in the road. I had to backtrack from the washout on FS9712 and after with high wends overnight I quickly found my way blocked by a small tree that wasn't there the day before (see photo). Luckily it was nothing hard to shift, but a good reminder we may need to do some cutting and winching of timber.

Given that we're going to do 97 down to Cashmere I am optimistic that means we'll be able to get up to FS7400 on Section 4 before we sleep for the first night. Then we'll have the choice Sunday of either setting a slow pace and setting up camp early after Ardenvoir, or pushing harder and then getting to Chelan Sunday, giving options on either continuing to Section 5 or calling it quits, depending on how folks are feeling. Sadly our moto contingent has dwindled to a single rider, who will be meeting us towards the end of Day 1.

Looking forward to chatting with folks tomorrow on the prep call!

sounds good

Nathan ... I will be on a flight returning from Fresno. I will call you on Tuesday the 12th.

I've set up a conference call for 6:30PM on Monday, June 11th to discuss final planning. If anyone can't make that call we can either add another one or you can call or email me directly. Call information:

1. Click to join the meeting:

https://chime.aws/3650607868

Meeting ID: 3650 60 7868

2. You can use your computer’s microphone and speakers, however, a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your phone:

United States Toll-Free: +1 855-552-4463 Meeting PIN: 3650 60 7868

One-click Mobile Dial-in (United States (1)): +1 206-462-5569,,3650607868#

United States (1): +1 206-462-5569 International: https://chime.aws/dialinnumbers/

The moto guys I've spoken with state that the massive slide I photographed last year has been partially repaired and is only passable by moto, not trucks.

Conference call works for me. Thanks.

Awesome, thanks Guy. It would be good to know if things are freeing up soon. I am going to be going over Blewett Pass this weekend and am hoping to see things looking less snowy.

You guys are running pretty much through my "backyard." I live in Wenatchee and have run that route often.

I might be able to do a pre-run for you, but can't promise that just yet.

Looking up from Wenatchee today, towards Mission Ridge, there is still a considerable amount of snow showing. I suspect that the "Liberty-Beehive" road is still closed.

If I get a chance I'll take a look at the route prior to your trip.

Regards, Guy

John- sounds fine to me if you bring your dog.

Nicholas- I think it'll be fine if you join- would love to have you.

All- we'll do a quick conference call a week or two before the trip so we can coordinate on planning and make sure everyone is ready and has what they need. I'll put information here in a couple of weeks for the call.

Hey Nathan,

My Wife and I are interested in doing the Ellensburg to Wenatchee segment (Sat Morn - Sunday). I saw the signup is closed, do you mind if we tag along? (Plus dog)

Nathan any problems is we bring our dog?

Scott, I've got the alternative track now, thanks. It does give the option of more time on 97 over to Cashmere if we want to cut out the loop over towards Leavenworth, which is nice as an alternative.

However, it looks like the Forest Service made repairs right after your trip: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD543593

Does that sound like the section you saw closed, or is that a different section?

Let's discuss ! Here is a re-route posted on the WABDR page. Basically just avoids Beehive Road (which is gated at the Northern entrance from Mission Ridge Road anyway) and re-routes to Cashmere.

https://ridebdr.com/News/WABDR-Section-3-Re-Route

Yeah, that does look like something that could still be a problem. I'm going to work on identifying some alternative routes if we get blocked. Any particular suggestions in that area?