Greenwater - July 26, 2003

This was the first of hopefully three camping trips we will take to the Naches area this summer, with the idea that we will have plenty of riding all weekend. Things, of course, sometimes do not go as planned.

My Cousin Brian and his two sons, Devin and Cody, drove from Oregon to camp/ride with us. I went riding with them on Saturday morning, and planned to be back by early afternoon to watch Moira and Delaney, so that Kirsti could get out.

We rode up trail 941 from the Kaner Flats campground, and crossed FR19 near the gravel pit to join up with 946. There are quite a few trails around the gravel pit, and finding 946 via trail only turned out to be a bit more time consuming that we had anticipated. Once on 946 though, we made good time almost to the top, at which point we were stopped for almost an hour and a half.

The last good climb on 946 has been re-routed, with a steep section now requiring you to make a perfect 90 degree turn straight up the bank. This is in the loose soil and shale, and did I mention it was a ninety degree turn, straight up the bank?. After getting to the top of that, I was driving through a rut, and somehow got the end of a small log to throw the chain off my bike, and bind it between the drive sprocket and frame. With my supply of profanity, and Brians elbow grease, we eventually got back onto the trail.

We eventually discovered oil leaking from the drive shaft, which would have been a bit more crushing if I wasn't so worn out. Combined with my bike being out of commission, I was done. Miles ridden for the weekend: 34.5

Brian, Cody (12), and Devin (15), at the entrance to one of the 946 spurs off of the lower FR.	Devin had riden to the top of the trail, and came back to see what the holdup was. Brian and Devin are standing here at that right turn I mentioned earlier, trying to turn Devins bike around. The rear tire is almost off the edge here.	At the top, Brians bike in the foreground, and my chainless XT in the background. The case was cracked, though mostly superficial. We later discovered that oil was leaking from the seal around the drive shaft.
Looking to the north east from the (almost) top of the jeep trail that leads up to Ravens Roost.	From the same spot as the prior picture, with the towers on the top of Ravens Roost visible in the background. This was my first time on this trail, and it had some nice views.	Devin, Brian, and Cody waiting patiently for me to put the camera away.
Devin is at the top of the cloud of dust, making the last climb to the top. He went onto one wheel near the top, and we had thought for sure he'd lost it, but somehow recovered.	Cody followed Devin on his CRF150 (which is a cool little bike), with Brian right behind him. Both made it without too much drama.	Mount Rainier to the right, falling fence in front. Two posts on this fence are literally held up by the fencing and posts on either side.
Mt. Rainier would be to the right of this picture. Devin and Cody disappeared, and climbed onto this rock outcropping.	Same picture, with a bit more terrain in view.	Looking over the nearby ridge towards Mt. Rainier again.
Cody, Brian, and Devin posing on Ravens Roost. We left here, deciding to take 963 down to camp, and eventually returned around 4pm (remember my early afternoon goal?).

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