anyone snowmobile west of the windy pass loop in Taneum? There is a sign that reads Taneum Shelter - must be on Plum Creek property - just curious about it - we haven't ventured as far as Mt Clifty.
Mt Clifty
- Thread starter 600ps
- Start date
Been all thru there on dirt bikes for many years. In my opinion, well before you are west of Windy Pass, you are no longer in the Taneum. I would venture to guess if any ride this area, they come from Easton, Greenwater or up the "Little Naches" (FS RD70).
Like you, I'd be interested to hear who's been up in that area. I've always wanted to find a way from Quartz Mtn down into the Little Naches w/o going east and down thru Moon Rocks....
Like you, I'd be interested to hear who's been up in that area. I've always wanted to find a way from Quartz Mtn down into the Little Naches w/o going east and down thru Moon Rocks....
I've been through tripod into shoestring and to the top of quartz mtn. and off the back side to little naches. I've tried a couple of time to go from quartz to wind pass off the ridge, but it gets pretty ugly.
I think Thursday we are going to ride Peaches Ridge - still haven't done that
maybe I don't want to go anywhere near there
Yakima Herald-Republic
ELLENSBURG, Wash. — A Morongo, Calif., man died when his motorcycle plunged off a cliffside trail this weekend, Kittitas County sheriff’s officials said.
David Olen, 62, was killed Saturday afternoon when he tumbled hundreds of feet from the trail on the north side of the summit of 6,245-foot Mount Clifty, 30 miles southwest of Ellensburg, Undersheriff Clay Myers said in a news release issued this morning.
Olen was part of a group of experienced riders who were traveling from State Route 410 in Yakima County to their weekend camp in Cle Elum.
They topped the summit and had just started down the north side when Olen passed through a narrow part of the trail and lost his balance. Another rider told deputies that his right handlebar touched the cliff and his left leg was over open space.
The riders estimated that Olen fell between 600 and 800 feet, cartwheeling and going over a vertical section of the rocky avalanche chute before coming to rest.
A Snohomish County sheriff’s helicopter removed Olen’s body Sunday.
Investigators say they consider the death accidental. No evidence of alcohol use or recklessness was found, Myers said.
— Mark Morey
pretty sad
Yakima Herald-Republic
ELLENSBURG, Wash. — A Morongo, Calif., man died when his motorcycle plunged off a cliffside trail this weekend, Kittitas County sheriff’s officials said.
David Olen, 62, was killed Saturday afternoon when he tumbled hundreds of feet from the trail on the north side of the summit of 6,245-foot Mount Clifty, 30 miles southwest of Ellensburg, Undersheriff Clay Myers said in a news release issued this morning.
Olen was part of a group of experienced riders who were traveling from State Route 410 in Yakima County to their weekend camp in Cle Elum.
They topped the summit and had just started down the north side when Olen passed through a narrow part of the trail and lost his balance. Another rider told deputies that his right handlebar touched the cliff and his left leg was over open space.
The riders estimated that Olen fell between 600 and 800 feet, cartwheeling and going over a vertical section of the rocky avalanche chute before coming to rest.
A Snohomish County sheriff’s helicopter removed Olen’s body Sunday.
Investigators say they consider the death accidental. No evidence of alcohol use or recklessness was found, Myers said.
— Mark Morey
pretty sad
that is really sad. My blessing go out to his family.
Wow, not good. RIP.
Very sad - It's pretty steep and narrow in places up there. I've done the same thing, but lucky it was a short drop over the side.......RIP
Last edited:
J
jim9006
Active member
The Clifty pass area is an excellent ride. Yes there are a few accidents a year up there but riding the back country on a dirt bike has never been for everyone. My hat’s off to Mr. Olen for still riding at 62 years of age and I do feel for his family and friends. If you haven’t ridden up there you should. It makes for an epic ride. I’ll post some pic’s if I can find them.
That is terrible news to hear someone lost their life up there. I was just up there three weekends ago dirtbike riding with a friend who was not all that experienced in backcountry riding and one who just purchased a brand new KTM 300 exc and was green on that bike. We crossed the same face as Mr Olen and his group and even with all the experience i have riding in the backcountry, i was very very cautious crossing that face however my friend had a couple of wicked spills in that general area and decided to error on the side of caution. That stretch between Clifty getting over to Windy pass is not for the inexperienced. My thoughts go out to him and his family.
Last edited:
Another great route up there is Buck Meadows - tripod flats - Rocky Saddle - up over the ridge down to the Kaner which can then get you to the 70 rd. further on down.
P.P.
P.P.
I agree with Jim9006. I hope I can still ride and be a part of these activities when I am 62. RIP Mr. Olen.
Paid our respects to Dave Olen on Sunday ... RIP Dave.
Rip
Ill see if I can find a few pics of the cliff section, its straight down in a couple of spots....its a tough trail even before the nasty sections....
948 trail just west of quartz
There is a great motorcyle trail just west of quartz mt, the 948 is well maintained and in good shape, comes right out at the snow park on the little naches road, (19 road) Ridden it many times this summer.
There is a great motorcyle trail just west of quartz mt, the 948 is well maintained and in good shape, comes right out at the snow park on the little naches road, (19 road) Ridden it many times this summer.
Last edited:
Rockymking, great picture but what it doen't impress upon you is how steep it really is. We started down the trail last bow season and decided to walk it out before crossing the face. Decision was made to turn the bikes around, an effort in itself, and wait for a better day. That face leaves no room for error. We were actually camped up on Blazed Ridge this season, and hunting the head of Greek Creek the day S&R brought in the Helo to bring him out. Tragic thing but yes, there is some beautiful country up there. Condolences to the family.
Agreed truckman ... the picture does not do that face justice. Too unforgiving of a trail for my liking.
several years ago the wife and I got to Quartz Mt , than jumped off on the trail to windy pass, got down there and than took off and came back to Peaches ridge, droped down fishhook flats and out at the camp ground at ice water, was quite a ride for a couple of old people,she was 62 and I was 69, we were riding honda reflexs tl 225 triles bikes not fast but just right for us............wish we still had them but time moves on............
