4-

I think I am getting scared

 

Lockers are not all they are cracked up to be in the snow.

I am going to wait until morning and see what the conditions dictate. If indeed, there is some type of "winter storm" rolling through, I am not at all convinced that I want to be rolling the Naches in white-out conditions. If that is the case, discretion is the better part of vallor and I may stick to the lower elevations. If it's just some snow cover and visibility is decent, I am up for whatever...

 

Chicken!!!!!!
I thought cops were tough??????????

BTW, I've not seen those pics you were going to email to me.

 

I wonder how the 15 mile 72 to 70 route would be?
I think it averages 3000' to 4500', and maybe not that high.
Corey

 

Let's start at Road 72 and head to 70. 72 should be fine tomorrow (...I think!) No way in hell I'd want to be on 72 with snow to negotiate, but I think it'll be bare. What do you think, Corey?
Jim

 

I'm confused. Why NOT go on 72 with snow tomorrow??

Where's the challenge in driving dirt roads?

I've not run any trails in that area before but from what I've seen, they're pretty simple. Maybe I'm wrong.

I need to find some snow for my kids to build a quick snowman and spend about 1/2 hour on the sleds. As long as I can accomplish that I'm happy.

I realize that I'm a little more built and my idea of a challenge may be different, so enlighten me as to what Greenwater area is like. I've seen lots of pics and most of what I've seen are some wide open hills with a few bumps in them, but pics don't always tell the whole story.

 

That's why I don't wanna run 72 if it has much snow. Switchbacks and steep drop offs on a narrow road could spell real trouble real quick. If there's only a skiff, it shouldn't matter much.
My rig is stock, and I do not take chances with it.
My idea of a good time may be different than yours. Doesn't matter. If you need a challange, follow the boys up the Naches. I'm content to cruise the easy stuff, and enjoy the day.
Jim

 

We obviously have a range of experience, ability, desire and equipment rolling together in one group tomorrow. In my history, that situation has been one of the most challenging to organize a run for.

I think our best bet is to look at the equipment that shows up in the morning, then decide on a course of action. It may be that we split into two groups, or that we start out easy and hit progressively more difficult trails or who knows. But until we have a drivers meeting and compare experience and comfort levels, we are comparing apples and oranges.

This is also complicated by the fact that some wheelers over estimate they and their rigs abilities and some are much more tentative. Corey's a bright guy and I am sure he has thought about this. We can line everyone up in the morning after we see who shows and put together a run that has something for everyone... I have been wheeling Greenwater since 1983, so I am confident that we have enough options to get everyone what they need to have a good day

 

I have to agree with Jim.
My rig is my bread & butter so to speak, and if I ˟˟˟˟˟ it up, I am screwed.
It's the only rig I have.

My rig is also stone stock drivetrain wise.

Greenwater has terrain for everyone when it's clear.
There are easy nice logging roads, to old, old logging roads that are so grown over, not even a mini Toy will make it through very easy.
I'd have to say there are over 200 miles of trails up there.
Many interconnect with each other.

I have been going up there since '88 with my Toy's, and have not covered a scratch of it.
A lot of these roads up there are narrow, and with 1000' drop offs.
One slip over the edge, and you are dead.

Latest weather report says 6" or more snow at the 3500' to 4000' level I think.
If it's real bad up there, I'm heading back home.
Better safe than sorry.

We have tooled around in the snow up there many times before, but with a winter storm watch coming in as they are predicting, it can turn real ugly up there.
I have a feeling no one will be doing the Naches tomorrow.
Just my gut feeling, but I bet it gets snowed over.
The crest of that is around 6000' I think.
Corey

 

All are great comments. I think it's a great idea to assess our group and the weather conditions.

I've hear snow from 4500 to 5000', not dropping below that till Saturday night, and it's only a watch. I can see well all have our CB's on NOAA weather on the way out.

I'll be out with my wife and kids as well, no need for me to be dangerous. Getting stuck is one thing, falling off a ridge is another. If it looks like we can't run Naches tomorrow, so be it. I'd like to see how far we can safely get, weather permitting and if anyone's game. I need a snow fix however

I've run snow that several feet deep in the past. Hard trudging, but the terrain didn't have much sidehill action.

We'll all see how it turns out. I see a lot of your rigs look built so I was assuming some lockers, lifts and such. My rig is also my daily driver, but thankfully I work from home

Anyway, enough for right now, time to go finish plumbing and wriring up the front ARB and packing for a potential snow run.

 

Naches Pass Altitudes:

Highest point on the trail: 4951 ft
Government Meadows: 4784 ft
Common Western Entrance: 4573 ft
Eastern entrance: 3196 ft
End of pavement FS70: 2629 ft


FS 72 Altitudes:

Entrance from 410: 2133 ft
First crossing of Lightning Creek: 2625 ft
1000' cliff (top): 3441 ft
Little Ranger Peak: 4768 ft
Highest point I found: 5309 ft

 

So is FS 72 a good snow run type of road, or does it have a lot of dangerous sections in the snow??? Sounds like some enough elevation to have some fun in a snow storm without getting in trouble if the terrains not too dangerous.

 

Mine is locked front and rear, I have high traction tires, 150 ft of winch line and plenty of recovery gear. It is also my daily driver.

I am game for whatever, but think we should see if we can find something that keeps most of the group together, if possible.

NOAA and the morning light will likely tell what we need to do

 

I played in the snow up there a month ago, so I would imagine it will be a winter wonderland by now We can check it out and can always upgrade to 70/Naches if that seems to be appropriate

There are some sections where we might want to send the more built vehicles/experienced drivers ahead to scout, but most of it is class 2 at the worst... of course snow will add an element of challenge.

 

Gibby;
I can only speak for me. There is no way in hell I'd want to run 72 with much snow. There are some narrow spots, and some steep drop offs. Some of the terrian is a bit steep, which requires decent traction to maintain prudent speed. But keep in mind that I'm running all-season type tires; not knarly mud flingers. You may have more confidence in your rig and abilities. In the summer, 72 is a breeze. In the winter, I stay off. I don't know what it will look like tomorrow. Doesn't matter! The fun is in getting together, and getting outside! (And blabbing on the CB!)
Jim

 

Here's my GPS trace from my last exploration run up FS72;

DOH! See the next post... It would appear I hit the wrong key...

 

Here's my GPS trace from my last exploration run up FS72;



It should be fun

Another option might be 74/75... I know of some great spots for stockers and monster trucks alike up there and actually use it for many of my Trail 101 classes.

 

Yeah, I have not blabbed on my CB in awhile Jim, since our last trip up there

I don't have the weather on my Cobra, but I do have a portable NOAA radio.
Corey

 

Rob, I use to do 74 years ago.
If memory serves me right, there are a few housing settlements when you first head in there?

It's been a long time.
I mainly go up to 70, or 73.

 

74/75 sound like fun. Don't think I've been on 'em. See you tomorrow.
Jim