Mom Wanted to go Exploring!

[mdmead]

My mom, who is in her late 60s, has been wanting me to take her exploring. She has always loved following roads to see where they go. Especially dirt roads. Well, today we headed up Chinook Pass (in WA state) and drove around up in the Lil' Naches area. The snow turned us back many times, but we had a good trip. We ran into lots of hunters setting up camp. It was a hopping place!

These pics are from when we were coming back down from a place called Raven's Roost. We didn't make it clear to the top as the snow was getting a little deep and I didn't want to risk a stuck since we were solo. It was also pretty foggy so there wasn't going to be a view anyway. (On a clear day, there are great views of Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens.)





This would have been a perfect trip for my van... if it wasn't sitting up on jack stands... and had an engine in it... with the stored 31" M/Ts installed...

[lockdoc]

I'm sorry but that is one damn ugly picture with all that white stuff! You trying to scare everyone?

[T.Low]

That's so cool, Matty. What great spirit she must have. What elevations got the snow.

[mdmead]

I'm sorry but that is one damn ugly picture with all that white stuff! You trying to scare everyone?

You know it is coming Bill! Embrace it!

[mdmead]

That's so cool, Matty. What great spirit she must have. What elevations got the snow.

I recall the forecast calling for snow down to around 4000', but I think we were in the 5000' range before we started seeing it.

[MountainManJoe]

I stayed a night in the Naches hills outside of Yakima when I was exploring Washington this Summer. Is that in the same area?

[mdmead]

I stayed a night in the Naches hills outside of Yakima when I was exploring Washington this Summer. Is that in the same area?

Same area. Naches is a town west of Yakima and the Naches River flows down the valley from the Cascades. I was about an hour west of Naches up Hwy 410 (and then offf on some Forest Service roads).

[MountainManJoe]

It's a very interesting area, I enjoyed it. I was warned about rattle snakes.

I was surprised to see so many Mexican workers so far North, working on the vineyards. None of them spoke English.

[mdmead]

It's a very interesting area, I enjoyed it. I was warned about rattle snakes.

I was surprised to see so many Mexican workers so far North, working on the vineyards. None of them spoke English.

Yes, we are heavy with Hispanics (some legal, many not) due to all the agriculture. Apples are the largest crop, but we have pears, cherries, grapes, hops and others.

And yes, there are rattle snakes in the airid areas... down by the rivers, up in the sage areas. I saw one last summer, it was the first I'd seen in about 20 years, but I don't hang in the areas they do!

If you are going to be in the area again, let me know.

[MountainManJoe]

Will do. Maybe you can show me some trails.

[loopie]

It always amazes me what other people are amazed at/by. But I NEVER tire of bringing those people to a place where they are amazed. It may be common place for me...but to see those smiles...damn.