Anyone who used to ride Roslyn/Cle Elem cole mine areas, help!

[kcander]

I used to ride in the Roslyn area about 12-15 years ago until my dad sold our dirtbikes due to some impending closures in the Roslyn/Cle Elum riding area. A couple of weeks back I rode a dirtbike for the first time in a dozen years, (been riding street bikes the last 5 years) and now I'm looking to get back into it. I was curious as to whether any of that area is still open for dirtbikes? We used to ride the "slag piles" around the cole mines, #9, #5, all that stuff. I LOVED climbing those hills! I'm going to be getting a dirtbike regardless, after riding my buddy's XR600 (biggest bikes I ever had when I was a kid were 125s) I'm completely re-addicted, but I was curious if there's any chance of getting to hit any areas of my old stomping ground. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Tim_Seawel]

In a word the answer is a big No. That area has been completely closed for many years now. Try to the south of Cle Elum. The Tanuem and Manastash areas of the Whenatchee National Forest are some great areas to ride. Go to www.cleelumtrails.com there is a ton of info on the riding areas within the Cle Elum ranger district.

Tim ?

[kcander]

Ah man that totally sucks. I figured that was the deal though since the last couple times I've been near Roslyn I haven't seen jack for dirtbikers. Anybody know if any of the other riding areas around are similar? I really loved how wide-open that area was, not a lot of underbrush, cool trails and hills to climb...ah, those were the days...

[Tators]

The same old vantage to elensburg highway, like your going out to the old dessert 100 location, on the north side of the road, about 2 miles west of the old dessert 100 entrance, there is a whole network of trails that go all the way to the river, and all the way back behind elensburg, and wayyyyyy north. ive been riding there for the past 3 years. Its the closest thing to dessert riding youll find in this state, it will spoil you and make you never want to ride in the woods again. lots of rock-gardens though

[tythew]

I am with you on that one. I have many fond memories of riding up there. It was the best place I think I have ever ridden due to the varied terrain and thing you could do. Fun trails, hill climbs, little moto courses and some fun jumps. What was that one area with the big hill climb, frog holler flats? We used to camp down there by the river. It is a shame there is no more riding there. It is probably all developed by now ?

[kcander]

Oh man, don't get me started. I don't know all the names of the places, but we used to camp down by the river, just off the 1st Roslyn exit east of the weigh station on I-90 - there were some HUGE hill climbs there, I never had the cohones or the machine to tackle that stuff! - then ride all the way up to the little store/bike shop, hang out, check out the new (for 198X) Yamahas, have a milkshake and a sandwich, then head over either to the #9 slag pile and watch them climb that or over to the other big pile (#5 maybe? can't remember) to the east there...you could do anything there! Like you said man, hills, little tracks, trails all over the ridges, even out passed Ronald to the damn and the beach...It totally did spoil me, too, because most other riding areas, especially over here on the "wet" side, are such tight little muddy trails winding through the woods, doesn't seem like you have a lot of opportunity to really open it up. Guess I'll find out for sure once I get myself another bike. As much as I miss riding Roslyn/Cle Elum and as disapointed as I am to hear that there's no chance of hitting those areas again, I still am in serious need of some off-roading. Just riding my buddy's XR600 for a half-hour up at Walker Valley got me all stoked about dirtbiking again. MUST...GET...BIKE...NOW!

[4WheelingPlus]

Oh man, don't get me started. I don't know all the names of the places, but we used to camp down by the river, just off the 1st Roslyn exit east of the weigh station on I-90 - there were some HUGE hill climbs there, I never had the cohones or the machine to tackle that stuff! - then ride all the way up to the little store/bike shop, hang out, check out the new (for 198X) Yamahas, have a milkshake and a sandwich, then head over either to the #9 slag pile and watch them climb that or over to the other big pile (#5 maybe? can't remember) to the east there...you could do anything there! Like you said man, hills, little tracks, trails all over the ridges, even out passed Ronald to the damn and the beach...It totally did spoil me, too, because most other riding areas, especially over here on the "wet" side, are such tight little muddy trails winding through the woods, doesn't seem like you have a lot of opportunity to really open it up. Guess I'll find out for sure once I get myself another bike. As much as I miss riding Roslyn/Cle Elum and as disapointed as I am to hear that there's no chance of hitting those areas again, I still am in serious need of some off-roading. Just riding my buddy's XR600 for a half-hour up at Walker Valley got me all stoked about dirtbiking again. MUST...GET...BIKE...NOW!

Ok, here ya go...

Only Roslyn Exit is BullFrog - It's a 7400 Acre resort now. Complete with fancy round a-bouts and 2 or 3 golf courses. It was called Trend West but I think the new name is Suncadia. I am still upset we lost all that prime riding land. ?

Sportland Mini Mart & Yamaha Shop is still there and they are doing pretty good with bikes & snowmobiles. The mini mart now serves great subs & pizza. ?

#5 is the multi level coal pile East of #9 It has a lot of grass growing on it now. It's weird looking compared to the good ol' days when we rode on it.

The Ronald area is all closed as well. Farther North is the Last Resort restaurant and they make a killing with the snowmobiles. The lake is off limits for any off-roading except to launch boats and such.

Where to ride over here: Sasse Mtn & Corral Creek are great places to ride. They are only a mile or so North of the Last Resort and they are similar to what you remember about this area.

Taneum & Manastash are awesome!!! They are due South of Cle Elum and offer a ton of trails from easy to very hard.

The trails are similar to Walker Valley but without all the rain/wetness.

Here are some pics of my last ride there: http://www.4wheelingplus.com/taneum_100204/

Here are driving directions: http://www.4wheelingplus.com/manastash/default.asp

I live in Cle Elum and I "live" in the woods either in my FJ-40 Land Cruiser or on my new XR650L. Let me know if you have any questions. ?

Ron Dunn Jr

http://www.4WheelingPlus.com

[kcander]

First of all, you're the man! You pretty much covered everything I was curious about...unfortunately, all your answers were exactly what I DIDN'T want to hear! Now then,

It's a 7400 Acre resort now. Complete with fancy round a-bouts and 2 or 3 golf courses. It was called Trend West but I think the new name is Suncadia.

Do you think they'd mind if I were to do a little roostin' through the 9th hole? #5 has grass growing on it? Blasphemy. That was my favorite place, so many hill climbs going up #5 you could spend all day just doing that! Ah well, pointless to keep crying about it... ? Looks like I'll definitely need to hit up all the places you've suggested and get feel for them. It's been so long, I wonder if I'll need training wheels?!

[WAMXP1MP]

I wonder what's going on with this place www.thetesttrack.com it's been a long work in progress.

[4WheelingPlus]

I wonder what's going on with this place www.thetesttrack.com it's been a long work in progress.

Too funny. I pass this place all the time going up to the hills to ride. I had NO IDEA it was there. I actually know the place next to this one real well as a friend of my family used to own it... no clue this was next to it.

I'll contact them and see what's up with this as it may be a cool place to play. ?

- Ron

[bigdrtrdr]

In 97 my buddy and I got stopped by a cop on an XT350 and were told that off road riding had been closed for 2 years and that dirt bikes were not allowed. We told him that we would let him know if we saw any.

He about [@#$%&*!] his pants when he saw our licence plates on our brand new KTM 620RXCs.

Dirt biking is closed but dual sporting is not. There are plenty of jeep roads and side trails to ride if you have the magic plate.

Bull Frog flats was the bomb to camp at and ride from.

My old YZ 490 would eat that hill climb up "Old Granddad"

The coal piles ruled, The old #3 tavern had great food and beer and you could ride your dirt bike into town for a beer and knowone cared.

Those were the days

Eric

[tythew]

I had been keeping up with the progress of the Test Track, good to hear he is still working on it. I had started to lose track as it is taking FOREVER! Come on let's get it open ? Looks like he will have a cool setup.

[nfamas]

Ah yes, I still consider that the best riding area I've been to, there is some real good riding both east and west of the PDX area but back in the 80's I would hook up with friend's in Federal Way 2 or 3 times a year and head up to Cle Elem for a weekend of some of the best riding ? The coal slag piles where great play grounds, used to love to launch my XR250 off the top of (#5?) it was like going off a big ski jump, couldn't see the landing until you were in the air, what a rush ?(I'd only do it with spoters)

And old Grand Dad, never made it to the top (w/o going around) but had fun trying ? We used to stay in a little Motel that doubled as a Greyhound Bus stop and party at the Longhorn ? Anybody ever hear of "Hodoe"? (some dude that was at the Longhorn, long story) Oh also the bar that you could ride to was my kind of "biker bar" ?

I could go on and on........damn good memories....and storys ?

[4WheelingPlus]

Launching off #5 was a huge rush. It was way too much fun. ? LIke it was said earlier... you could spend all day just playing on #5.

The Longhorn is now 1/2 pizza place 1/2 Radio Shack. No more beer & dancing there. ?

The motel is still there but the bus stop portion is now an antique store.

The area has changed SOOOO MUCH in the last few years it's crazy.

3 stop lights in Cle Elum now. There are 3 Shell gas stations within a few miles of each other. Must be 4 or 5 auto repair shops. Cavallini's restaurant is now a bar/casino.

The place is booming. It's not the quite little area it used to be.

There are still tons of places to play... you just have to know where to find them. ?

- Ron

[wjc2003]

Six of us used to ride there every Sunday 20+ years ago.We parked at Bullfrog Flats,climbed the hills,rode(WFO) those rocky whoops and generally bombed all around the place until we had to go back to gas up and eat lunch.Then we'd go do it again. We were in our mid 20s and rode open class (400-500cc) 2 strokes.Those were the days!

But there are lots of other places to ride in E.Wa. You might have to drive a little more to get there but there is plenty of good riding available.

[Thumpster]

I used to ride there. Hill #9 (I think that's what it was called) the slag pile was my favorite. Going down it was a thrill too. I had a few bikes XR500, YZ250, ans a XR200. The 200 naturally was the most challenging and fun bike to ride up #9. That was a fun time too bad it's all closed down now. ?

[kcander]

Dirt biking is closed but dual sporting is not. There are plenty of jeep roads and side trails to ride if you have the magic plate.

Hey bigdrt, I don't suppose that includes #5, does it? I'm figuring to get a dual sport, so that'd be sweet. Even if not, it'd sure be nice just to hit a few of the old roads I used know...although whether I remember them is debatable.

[kcander]

I used to ride there. Hill #9 (I think that's what it was called) the slag pile was my favorite. Going down it was a thrill too. I had a few bikes XR500, YZ250, ans a XR200. The 200 naturally was the most challenging and fun bike to ride up #9. That was a fun time too bad it's all closed down now. ?

#9 was great, my dad used to take me camping there almost every weekend during the summers. He used to hit #9 on his DR200...he said getting up was the easy part, getting down was a little more exciting! I was too scared to try it back in the day - I was only 13 or 14 years old when we stopped riding there and I didn't have courage to try to wind my RM125 up that sucker! Probably wouldn't have been able to turn it around if I'd managed to get it up there anyways! Ha, I also used to race the younger kids around that little circle track behind #9 on my sister's YZinger 80, that was so fun!

[bigdrtrdr]

Last time we were there we rode down from the hex mtn area to the Cle Elem ridge and right down to #5 rode the slag piles for awile then rode over to #9

They were having a rodeo on the north side so we scoped it out, then rode up to the Old #3 tavern for a beer. "#3 tavern burned down about 2 years ago" From there we rode the coal pile behind Ronald then back up to the ridge and North to the truck. Parked at the Sassy Mtn Area.

Had a blast.

Eric

[nfamas]

Last time we were there we rode down from the hex mtn area to the Cle Elem ridge and right down to #5 rode the slag piles for awile then rode over to #9

They were having a rodeo on the north side so we scoped it out, then rode up to the Old #3 tavern for a beer. "#3 tavern burned down about 2 years ago" From there we rode the coal pile behind Ronald then back up to the ridge and North to the truck. Parked at the Sassy Mtn Area.

Had a blast.

Eric

So how long ago was that?