Disbursed camping off the trail, any suggestions?

[timbanditos]

Guys, I recently rode up Windy Pass out of Taneum and thought to myself "man, this would be a good place to camp". Anybody know if its legal to camp off the trails up there? Or any other good areas to ride out of and camp out off the trail here in Wa.? Trying to get one solid trip in while the mountains are open. Thanks in advance for any tips!

[Plain Steve]

You can camp any were you want off the trail's. Bring a good water filter unless

you want to risk getting giardia aka beaver fever. I have had a few friends go

through it over the years. Not a pretty story.

The Mad river, Blue creek meadow's, Two Little Lakes and Lost lake are nice

, just bring the bug juice. They are all closed right now because of the

Kelly mtn fire (its 100% contained but still burning)

[timbanditos]

Thanks Steve, I got my water filtration setup so that should be no problem. Sounds like Taneum is the way to go based on fire conditions, do I need a permit from the ranger station? I'm guessing fires are prohibited but a backpacking stove to boil water would be acceptable? Anybody interested in going out or know of an ideal spot?

[highmarker]

While we have a hot dry west side I'd suggest riding/camping the Olympics . When the rain returns go back to the heat and dust.    Water?  we have one guy using a gravity filter system, an other using a ultra violet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 3, 2014 by highmarker

[timbanditos]

Highmarker, you guys dualsporting? Im not plated and wanted to get off the beaten path, but im not opposed to the Penninsula if I can get out away from people.

[highmarker]

sorry yes plated bikes best for Olympic riding. 

[timbanditos]

Thanks for the tip anyway Highmark, never know when I might get another plated bike, I had a blast on the OBDR.

[trailmeisterjoe]

Tim, there are at least 2 ready to go camp "spots" right on the cle elum ridge trail 1326 at or near road crossings  that hunters use in the fall as well as the taneum shelter a couple miles before windy pass.

 

Joe

[timbanditos]

Thanks for the tip Joe, we saw alot of bugs at Taneum shelter so I was thinking a little higher in elevation, but that is a good option as well.

[highmarker]

Saw nice meadow on pyramid side couple weeks ago ,  might be buggy as a creek runs through there, Looked like soft ground though...zzzzzzz

[Nuklhed]

I've been sleeping in a skeeter beeter pro hammock for years.  Lightweight, easy to pack, and always the same excellent nights sleep.  If it's at all cold, you'll need a pad--you'll understand why after that first night you don't.

 

I've made a few converts out of my riding buddies, too.  We've camped/fished the backside of Manastash lake a few times.  Camping stoves are great!

[timbanditos]

Looks like my schedule was off and I'm looking to go late Sept/early Oct, you guys think it will be open still? Too cold w/ zero rated bag and tent? Too many hunters? 

[trailmeisterjoe]

Looks like my schedule was off and I'm looking to go late Sept/early Oct, you guys think it will be open still? Too cold w/ zero rated bag and tent? Too many hunters? 

 

We see hunters in all the regular spots by then every year.

 

Joe