Newbie looking for easy trails in WA

Quick one from Beckler Road today.

 

Alright, a couple more...

 

Last weekend (Sep 27), I went to Beckler Road without knowing a few people talked about Beckler Road lately in this thread. My wife and I had fun, though wish I had read the routes provided by northwesttaco! I should check this thread more often. I will try the route he suggested whenever I go back there.

Thanks St.Swervus for sharing the nice photos. Pretty cool place, huh.

I am planning to explore

in the middle of October, which suggested by cosmicfires. After looking at Google Map, I have noticed there are a few different types of NF Roads. Some have 2 digits, some have 3 digits, and some have 4 digits. For example, NF-35, NF-125, and NF-3507.

Is there any correlation between the digits and road width?

For example,

NFs with 2 digits are generally wider and better maintained than NFs with 3 digits?

NFs with 3 digits are generally wider and better maintained than NFs with 4 digits?

 

This is how the FS road numbering system works. I'll describe a system with one main road called NF-35 which might also be called NF-3500. A road branching off NF-3500 would be numbered NF-3510 (or NF-351). A road branching off ND-3510 might be NF-3515. I've seen places where they didn't seem to use this system so the usual your mileage may vary applies. FS roads get maintained according to use and condition. If there's a big timber sale on a road it'll probably get maintenance.

 

Thank you for the clear explanation

 

I'm glad I found this thread. I just moved from Oregon to Federal Way. I will have to go check out some of these trails!

 

Dear fellow members,

Could you please suggest me the off roads (forest service roads or similar) that are NOT covered with snow right now -preferably within 2 hrs of driving from West Seattle?

I went back to Stampede Pass last weekend. It was supposed to be my first off roading of this year. I could not even enter the forest service road due to the snow

Rather than waiting for another few weeks, I would like to explore somewhere if possible

 

Nf 9021 and Nf 110 off of i90 exit 38. Was there a few weeks ago, but ended up running into two large downed trees at two locations before giving up. Maybe an hour or two of exploring if the trees are still down.

 

Darrington has some roads that are lower levels. Try the mountain loop highway between Granite Falls and Darrington.

 

Thank YOU so much guys!

 

FYI I tried driving this a couple weeks ago and it was still closed for the season. There is a FS road that you can drive up about 10 miles before the gate (coming from Granite Falls). It leads up to some hiking trail heads, but they're 6 or 7 miles up the road and there are some more technical trails that branch off on the way up. I did hit snow at the very top (I was by myself and didn't want to risk getting stuck), but I wouldn't be surprised if its melted enough by now to drive through.

 

I rode the Mountain Loop Highway from Granite Falls to Darrington in June of 2014 I think. We took two brand new Honda CBR500R's. We found out it wasn't paved, and still made it to Darrington despite almost wiping out twice. I'd recommend it for an easy first off-road experience. I'll probably check it out again when my 2016 comes in.

 

i see this truck all the time in Mill Creek!

 

We did a Colockum Pass run this weekend and explored the ridges just West of Crescent Bar. Trails were easy, more of an "Expo" style trip. Good views, some hill climbs, river crossings, rocks, and a little bit of everything in-between.

 

You are correct Sir!! I live by Martha Lake and work close to Silver Lake. You?

 

A bit too far from where I live, but I would love to be there sometime this summer. Your photo looks so nice. I have two questions for you.

1. Did you basically drive Colockum Road (along Colockum Creek) to west? If you have particular roads that you recommend, I would like to know.

2. As for the "river crossing", assuming I have to cross to go further, stock base 4x4 Taco w/ stock tires can handle?

Please advise. Thanks.

 

I'm in western washington and like to go cool places that aren't too difficult. Table Mountain East of SR97 is good. There are interesting places on the Mountain Loop Highway.

 

1. We ran the pass and Brushy Road (runs down from the pass to the Columbia river) as well as a few others. There are a bunch of roads crisscrossing the area.

2. I was in a completely stock Tacoma at the time, 265/65r17's too. No issues. They are surprisingly capable stock.

 

ARe there any local 2nd Gen clubs in the area that do trail rides once in awhile?

 

Go to the NW meet thread, we'll be doing more now that it's summer.