I have a small group going, but thought I would post this up here to generate an opportunity for those new to the Wrangler to connected with others and get out into the woods.
This will be an all day run to north of Cle Elum, Fortune Creek to Van Epps and back. It is a great run for stock Wranglers, although there will be some nicely modified ones going. You'll definitely get to use 4 low, but pretty much no risk to breaking anything. Should challenge you, but won't scare you.
Bring the wife(or Husband)/kids/GF(or BF)/dogs/etc. and meet some other great people for a day of exploration.
Pack a lunch and snacks, and start with a full tank of gas. There is one opportunity for gas off I-90 both going and returning near Cle Elum.
Please respond so we know to wait for you if you are coming.
North Seattle people, we are leaving the Bothell Park & Ride (HWY 522 "Woodinville Dr" & Kaysner Way) at 8am.
South end people, we'll meet you at the Outlet Mall in North Bend about 8:45am.
I'd say, just dress warm. Bring a lunch and snacks.
Some of us have been to this area before but only ran Fortune Creek, so this will be a new trail and am not positive what to expect. From the one video I can find online, should be fairly easy. Another Jeep site rates it as easy.
If you have any kind of recovery gear, it doesn't hurt to throw it in.
Trying to find someone with a chain saw, just in case we come across windfall.
As of right now, meeting up with two-three other Jeeps in North Bend, and we have three-four leaving from Bothell, so this will be an awesome run!
I think 1-2 of the Jeeps going are stock as well.
thanks for sharing - I am out of town but subscribed to forum for future gatherings. we have two JK in the house and if son is in town we could both join the group. we are planning the WABRD 600 miles route next summer and we like just backroads, no rock climbing or jeep destroying sessions :tomatoes: if you know of great routes, please share - we need a sticky in this WA forum for people to share backroad routes... info on the internet is dated in many places and misleading... I have seen some EASY rated trails that there is no way one can do comfortably in a stock JK and not much experience
Although I am not set up for overlanding, we are capable of a road trip out of coolers and tents and wanting to do the WABRD next year as well. Let me know if you're open to having another JKU coming along. That is the kind of off road I enjoy most.
We moved the meeting place in North Bend to the McDonalds. There will be a white JKU along with an FJ (his coworker), and likely two other JK's there as well.
I've got 4-5 meeting in Bothell.
You were at Hawking Mountain in this video. That last climb is a fun one. The condition of the part looks a lot better than when we were there in June.
Just stumbled across this thread and wanted to comment:
I've been wanting to do the Van Epps pass trail for years since I attempted it on a quad one time. Lot's of boulders too big to make it quad friendly.
Got part of the way up last year with my Jeep and met an old miner that claimed to be working a stake up there somewhere. Guy knew a lot of the history of the mines up there.
Anyway, if anyone wants to try this again in 2016, I'd like to tag along. I'll be watching this forum for future schedules.
Thanks.
I happened to look at this forum today and noticed recent activity. Did you guys go up?
We were over there running Fortune Creek.
The NW Overland group was up there as well with 20+ rigs. It was crazy busy.
I'd like to get over Van Epps again in good weather.
No passes needed for this area.
Hey man, we went up I think two weeks ago, even made it to Gallagher. I want to do this again as well. Like get to the trailhead in the dark, there were way too many rigs on the trail lol.
I'd like to try Van Epps again but would prefer to do it during the week. Did Fortune Creek trail a couple weeks ago in mid week and just about had the place to ourselves. Any retired or otherwise free-time types out there who want to try it? I'd prefer to go with someone who's done it before. I got to the one big step near the upper loop and my buddy backed down because he had a longer WB truck. I wasn't sure of the proper line and turned around at that point and have been wanting to get back again.
Hey Bill, it's Vern from Gerald's FB group. I've done Van Epps and know exactly that spot you are talking about. I went to the left, and then there is a sharp right after that step. There is also another trail down off the main road "4330" called Mine to Market, it's the only trail I haven't done up there, but want to next trip. I'm off Friday through Sundays and would be interested in a Friday run. Also have August 29 through Sept. 6 off. Might be up for a run during that time. Probably would camp for a few days.
Looks like we might have several people interested in doing Van Epps on Friday 8/19/2016.
Let's keep that penciled in and see what it looks like next week.
I'll be at Port Townsend 8/11 through 8/20. I'm available for a run 8/26 through 8/31. I would like to 4 wheel and camp during this time, possibly a day or two at Fortune Creek and a couple of days at Liberty. Let me know if you are interested.
Hey Vern and Bill, It's Shawn from Gerald's Manastache run. Are you guys still planning to do this trip next weekend? I posted a trip in the Washington subforum 2 weeks ago, but I didn't get any interest and thus didn't get to go. I would be interested in joining you guys if that's ok with you.
Hey Shawn. I've been on vacation all last week so I haven't been too connected online. I haven't gotten confirmation from Bill, he had some other commitments lined up and said he might be able to make it. I'm in if you want to run these trails. I am planning on planning on pulling my Jeep behind my motorhome and camping down near the Cle Elum river for a few days. I will PM you my email. Bill, you up for a run and some camping?
It is likely the trails wont open until the June 15th posted date due to all the snow this year.
But yes, absolutely will post an invite when we go. Not Father's day weekend, but maybe the following..... stay tuned.
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