Tried enticing several different groups but nobody bit, so I went to bed last night thinking "where haven't I been and need to go"?
My friends talk of the Goldendale-Bickleton run and I have never gone so South is where I am headed. Coffee with Mrs. RedTigre before I head out (cold weather and a sore back have her sitting this one out) and off I go. Shooting out over the favorite route of 97 and Blewett Pass, Ellensberg onto the 82 for a Luftwaffe run down to Yakima is a start. I top off in Union Gap and decided to try my luck heading out Ahtanum Road and blow by my mark hitting South Fork before I realize my error. Cut back to Wiley Road and shoot south until I hit gravel (I NEED an adventure bike), then shoot back to Union Gap and then take 97 South to the White Swan cutoff.
Bullocks.
It was a nice ride up anyway...
Off I go and backtrack to White Swan and take the 220 back to the 97 and fly to Goldendale where I get to try the road of my destination, the Goldendale-Bickleton Highway.
It was everything they said... I'll detail it on my next run when I can savor it at less than 70 mph trying to be home by 6:00 PM... I should take a vacation day. ;)
Worked my way to Mabton, hit the 241 north to the 24, followed it to the 243 then onto I90, George exit on the 281 to White Trail and the 28 into Wenatchee. 475 adventuresome miles in 10 hours.
Life in the Luftwaffe Lane.
Found your (excellent) blog when looking for images from BIA Road 140 - and then read about your adventure here.
ReplyDeleteVery funny, sort of...
Friday, April 20th, we were heading from the Seattle area to Hood River, wanted to avoid the usual (though very nice) US 97 over Satus Pass and instead take the back-roads (more direct, scenic) from Yakima, via Athanum, gravel over to White Swan, and then Signal Peak Road and its extensions across the mountains to Glenwood.
Unlike you, we did not "miss" the Wiley Road take off, but just when Wiley turns to gravel, there were a few "Dead End Road" signs. Nothing on map to indicate that, but we did turn around, and closer to Athanum Rd, stopped some locals to ask "???".
They informed us it was "Indian Land" and not wise to drive through and that we needed to go out to Union Gap, before continuing to White Swan via Fort Road.
Not eager to take this detour, but did follow the instructions and took the long way into White Swan.
Upon leaving White Swan, heading essentially due South on Signal Peak Road, there is a sign on the right side of the road that tells "Truckers" that there is a (high) weight limit, and that a trucking permit is needed. The sign does not address anyone else, or indicating other restrictions!
We venture up this amazingly wonderful two-lane blacktop (obeying the posted speed limit of 50 mph in our SUV) until we finally hit the same road block.
No chain this time, boom is open, but a STOP sign is prominently placed to the right, so we slow down and stop. Out of the shack on the left (a gigantic white RAM pickup truck outside, sporting two big whip antennas) a heavy set lady emerges. No uniform, only t-shirt, asking nicely where we are heading. "Glenwood and Hood River".
"Nah, you need to have a permit, and now have to turn around, go back to Toppenish and US 97 across the mountains."
?Permit?
Ask her "how do I get a permit, for next time so we can plan in advance?".
"Need to be a tribal member, or a permit AND have a tribal member in the car. Permit can only be obtained in Toppenish on Monday", 9AM.
We nicely but reluctantly turn around. It is at least downhill on this truly amazing, two-lane blacktop. Pretty darn good AT&T 3G coverage, even though this is truly the "hinterlands" of WA state.
Going back, wife does a quick Google search on "permits needed to drive on tribal roads" (thank you AT&T and 3G service), starts reading from a number of studies and legal cases.
Interesting and highly complex, but to me, seems like this road has been built with taxpayer money, and should therefore be public (a number of legal scholars tend to agree).
In any case, if it is "restricted", why the h-ck does the Tribe not have a sign or a "gate/chain" where it starts? Why "lure" outsiders in just to force a turn around?
From having had a leisurely drive, this "roadblock" created aggravation, costed us about 100 miles extra, and delayed our arrival in Hood River with needless hours.
I know what you mean... the roads are beckoning to be explored. Oh well, have the fun is trying to get there, every dead end is an adventure unto itself!
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