We are planning a trip up to the Ahtanum/Divide Ridge/Naches area for the end of August (27th-31st). We have scouted the area a little back in the middle of June. We ran two wheel drive since we were the only rig out there. I figured we couldn’t get in too much trouble that way. (NW Jeepn warning J)We still had some difficulties (damn spring limiters anyhow!)…
and hit snow at 5500 ft when trying to get to funny rocks…
The snow should be melted now and all of the trails should be accessible. The locals that we ran into in the Ahtanum area recommended a winch as a lot of these trails are off camber and steep in spots and don’t allow for turning around. For more information on the trails:
Trails from the area as listed on NWJeepN.com: http://www.nwjeepn.com/WAtrails.htm
See the Manastash Ridge(Little Naches) / Nile Creek section,
And the Rimrock Lake / Ahtanum section
Trails as listed on AWORC.com: http://aworc.com/Washington-ORV-Trails.html
See the Ahtanum State Forest section
The Naches Pass Wagon Trail section
And the Naches and Manastash area Trails section
There are also Green Trails maps available at the snow park area store at the summit of Whites Pass and at the Grocery in Naches. The store near the 1720 road on 410 has Sheriffs maps that cover the Naches area and are a bit more accurate than the Green Trails maps. We were told by some locals that the map available at the ranger station in Naches is another good map although it was closed the day we were there so we have yet to see it.
The Ahtanum / Divide ridge areas are accessible from where we intend to camp without hitting the highway. The Naches area (the Funny and Moon rocks areas) are a 45 to 60 minute drive from the lake over highway 12 and up 410. Being that some of the trails rate high on the pucker factor some people may want to stay at camp to enjoy the water this would work out well if we want to hit the Rocks. ???
There are numerous campgrounds in the area, but we like the idea of camping on the lake (we miss IP road!). We found camping areas around the south east side of Rimrock Lake that have access direct to the water (Directions to the 710 road where the camps on the lake are). Plenty of people had their boats moored right at their sites. There is decent tree/wind cover and vaults nearby. There were resorts that offered hot showers nearby as well. The sites did not appear to be marked, but there were pay stations listing the fee as $7 or $8 per night. For those of you who want to escape for the triple digit weather this weekend, Erika and I are going up to camp and check it out a little more (leaving on the 23rd and coming back on the 26th of July). If anyone is interested in joining us for this earlier (short notice) trip, let us know. If I texted you the link to this page you have my number (if not someone you know has it) or you can email me at VaultT@HardVault.com. If you’d like to go up for either trip, let us know so we can get together for the drive up or at least try to reserve a big enough site for those interested…
On the way I would recommend fueling up at the store on Whites Pass at the snow park. If I recall there is only one other gas stop between there and the town of Naches (which is past the lake).
Let us know if you intend to go for either this short notice trip (7-23 to 7-26) or the trip we are hoping to get together for the end of August (8-27 to 8-31). I will try to keep the following list of ‘campers’ updated with each confirmation…
7-23-09 to 7-26-09
Jeremy and Erika
Update (2009-07-20): Our trip to the Peninsula campground at Rimrock was eventful! We had hot beautiful weather for all but three hours which contained a violent thunderstorm that soaked nearly everything we had. There was nearly an inch of water in a bowl INSIDE our screen canopy that was under the trees. We were prepared well enough that it didn't chase us off, but it reminded me that I should let everyone know how fast weather can change up there! Come prepared...
I also managed to confirm the campground pricing. The signs are deceiving, but the ranger confirmed it for us. Its $8 for the first vehicle. $5 for every vehicle after that. Trailered vehicles (truck, trailer, and toy) count as one vehicle. For those of you who have water toys, the boat ramp fee is $5. While out on the ski I came across a group with an FJ, a 4Runner, and a Jeep up on a craig that sticks out over the lake. It looked like a great spot -- so on the way out I managed to find how to get in there. The spot is big enough for our group (even if everyone was able to make it), but we can't get trailers down there (really steep entry). There is probably enough room for two trucks with trailers on the side of the road where it drops. I am not sure if they collect fees for the site. There are three or four sites including this one that could accommodate a large group, but they are not easy to get. We are planning to head out early Thursday the 27th so that we can try to get one of them. I am thinking I may post a map of where we actually decide to camp on the bulletin board at the entrance to the Peninsula campground on 711.
There has been some concern expressed regarding camping so far from the Funny Rocks / Moon Rocks area so for those who may be wondering what my thinking was: It will be hot while we are up there. It is likely that not everyone will want to run some of these trails. They are said to be high on the pucker factor. The Pucker Ridge is only 5 miles from where we are camping!!! I think Rimrock lake will provide a clean safe place with access to the water to get cool and clean. The lake is the best location I could imagine for the sake of those who stay at camp and for all of us while back at camp. There are plenty of trails to run right in the Ahtanum Ridge area. They might not be what you see on YouTube, but it only takes about 45-60 minutes to the turn off to 'The Rocks'. I am sure we will take a day and run up there while we are there. There are 28 trails on NWJeepNs trail list that are clearly marked on the Green Trails maps within 10 miles of the Peninsula Campground. These 28 trails re listed as 89.2 miles of just trail! And most of them are listed as most difficult. To compare it to Browns camp: there are only 16 trails for 4x4 marked on the map for Browns camp.
Rimrock Lake Area (Ahtanum/Divide Ridge) Trails:
| Number | Name | Length | Difficulty | GT Map |
| 325A | Bethel Ridge | 7 | Easy | 304 B6-A9 |
| 601 | Hog Back | 2.9 | Most Difficult | 304 ?J5? |
| 608 | Louie Way | 5 | More Difficult | 304 G6-G8 |
| 608A | Long Lake Tie | 0.4 | Most Difficult | 304 G8 |
| 609 | Pickle Prairie | 2.5 | More Difficult | 304 H6-G7 |
| 609A | Pickle Prairie Loop | 1 | Most Difficult | ^ |
| 610 | Shorty | 0.2 | Easy | 304 F6 |
| 611 | Pickle Prairie North | 0.6 | More Difficult | 304 G6-G7 |
| 613 | Divide Ridge East | 12 | More Difficult | 304 G8-L4 |
| 615 | Divide Ridge West | 8 | Most Difficult | 304 L3-P1 |
| 619 | Narrow Neck Gap | 2.9 | Most Difficult | 304 N1-P2 |
| 620 | Rattlesnake | 2.5 | Most Difficult | |
| 621 | Blue Slide | 5.1 | Most Difficult | 304 J1-L2 |
| 636 | Donnicker Pass | 1.3 | Most Difficult | 304 K2-K3 |
| 637 | Short & Dirty | 5.7 | Most Difficult | 304 L3-H4 |
| 638 | Rocky Slide | 1.2 | Most Difficult | 304 L2 |
| 639 | Spencer Creek | 1.8 | Most Difficult | 304 J3-J2 (Chicken soup) |
| 640 | Memorial Meadow | 3.7 | Most Difficult | 304 L1 |
| 641 | Leaning Tree | 3.8 | Most Difficult | 304 K5-K? |
| 642 | Butcher Knife | 3.8 | Most Difficult | 304 M2-L1 |
| 651 | Buckhorn Gap | 2 | Most Difficult | 304 K5-K4 |
| 651A | Buckhorn Gap Loop | 0.7 | Most Difficult | 304 K5 |
| 652 | Bethel Oak | 4.4 | More Difficult | 304 B9-L9 |
| 654 | Copper City | 2.9 | Most Difficult | |
| 661 | Humphrey Butte | 6.2 | Most Difficult | 304 H4-J3 |
| 663 | Jumpoff Bypass | 1.2 | Most Difficult | |
| 671 | Lynn Lake | 1 | Most Difficult | 304 A9 |
| 672 | Bethel Overlook | 0.7 | Easy | 304 B7-B8 |
| 677 | Spruce Creek | 1.8 | Most Difficult | 304 J4-K3 |
| 680 | Little Rattlesnake | 3.5 | More Difficult | ?303 K8-K9? |
| 699 | Section 3 Overlook | 2 | More Difficult | |
| Pucker Ridge | Death Wheelin' | ?J3? |
Confirmed for 8-27-09 to 8-31-09
-Jeremy and Erika
-Steven
-Kent
-Dustin