The Fellowship of PNW Tacomas | PDX Area Wheeling

I found a route in when the gate off 26 was closed. I wouldn't attempt it with significant snow however. I talked about it in this (rambling) post:

Also, another shout out for xbull tracion boards. It's all I have and hasn't failed me yet.

 

I’ll have to confirm this summer it’s the same road. But I think the path you took is also a great road to mountain bike down. If you get dropped off at Trillium lake and ride to Rhododendron, it is a sweet ride. I wouldn’t want to bike back up though lol.

 

That road is called still creek road. It’s a nice little Trip. Not remotely hard at all in the summer… drove up it last year around Memorial Day and there was still a couple pockets of snow but it allowed me to fish the lake without having to walk my shit in from the gate

 

Gonna need some bigger tires.

 

might have to upgrade my saw for that one even though I have a 24” bar

 

Lol. Yeah my battery powered saw was going to cut it.

 

I was thinking a bigger winch. Lol

 

so you can drag your truck closer to those trees? Lol

 

Ummmm read the screen name! Hulk!!!!! Lol

 

Imma call you next time I need some trees Hulk-Smashed out of my way.

 

I tried that road a month or so ago. I was stopped by that same downed tree. I had my saw, but it was just the wife and I sooo nah.

 

Anyone ventured out towards Lost Lake lately? I've never been to that area and I know there's lots of snow to play in.

 

I have family in one of the last houses as you drive up lost lake road. They stop plowing the road just past the last houses (about 1-2 miles past Dee). Snow report as of today is 'glaciated snow, 2+ feet of that stuff that falls, gets heavy and freezes over the top'. Temp is 34-36 during the day and below freezing at night making things ice over. I didn't ask but I imagine there is a nice berm where they stop plowing that has the consistency of rock. Probably not getting a Tacoma past where the plowing stops... at least not far.

 

That's what I was thinking as I was reading your post.

There was a group of mostly Jeepers who went out there Sunday I think. I'm a member of their Discord, but I didn't attend the run because I was elsewhere. Not sure which road they used going into the area. They started from Hood River so I'm gonna assume it was Lost Lake Rd. I think one of the guys here might have been with their group that day. Maybe @JordanTaco6 ? Was that you?

 

When did you take this way in to Trillium Lake? Looks like Still Creek Rd. Been studying maps and just scheming on somewhere to explore next. (Yes, I realize everywhere is buried in snow right now, people. Let me dream. Lol)

FS website says this...

 

May 2020

 

Oh damn, ok. Thought it was more recently.

 

I think I drove down Still Creek Rd from Trillium in June of last year. I remember finding a dumped car that looked like it had been there over winter... so June sounds about right? I think they were just getting ready to do some road improvements (there was a construction closure notice). If you want to poke up that way once the snow breaks Kinzel Lake Rd meets Still Creek Rd right at Trillium Lake. Kinzel Lake Rd is just a rough FS rd that goes back to the Veda Lake trailhead (highly recommend), Kinzel Lake Campground, and a trailhead up to an old fire lookout called Devil's Peak. It's not much for 4x4 excitement but there are some very campable spots, nice hikes, and not many people.

 

Thanks for the ideas. I’m always down to go explore the less traveled areas even if that doesn’t include any notable 4x4 obstacles.