SR-410 inside of MRNP.

[Webmaster]

Many don’t know it but even though 410 is closed during the winter months it is partially maintained. I've made several trips and can get up to about 8 miles back by bike. The side road leading to the White river campsite and to Sunrise is also partially accessible. On this particular day I was welcomed by sunny skies and temps at the lowest elevation of the ride in the mid 30s.

A short way into the park, 410 transits a long stretch of dense old growth to yet more old growth but broken up by with drop dead views of the White river valley. Most folks are in their vehicles, traveling at 50+ MPH through this area and don’t take time to look around.

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The opportunity to take a little side trip and head to the white river campsite/sunrise access road is too good to pass up.

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Heading down this stretch of road was fun and a challenge

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And a short ways after the ranger gate, the largely untracked snow won the match. I once come across an area official while on another road. He used xc equipment to access otherwise tough locations. It has to be a great perk!

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Heading back up presented it’s own challenges. The trick is to keep the bike on the most compacted part of the rut, and also watch out for soft spots. The studded snow tires are made for this environment and made the trek very entertaining!

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Back on 410 it wasn’t too long before I got the feeling I had a whole park to myself …

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And just when it couldn’t get any better, 410 abruptly transitioned to 2 track

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The snow was too soft to go on by bike, so I took some snaps, made a note to add snow shoes to the travel kit, and started back down.

For all the enjoyment of working my way up the about 1,200 vertical feet, now I had sweeeet miles of unobstructed and sometimes ice covered roadway for the downhill section. This is always waaay more than worth the effort.

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Back into the trees and then all too soon it was over.

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[JDC]

I've been keeping my mountain bike rides to the trails around Black Diamond but you've inspired me to think about the mountains again. Do you have any idea about the snow and flood conditions of the Skookum Flats trail?

Keep the pictures coming, thay are excellent.

Jim

[Webmaster]

Thanks!

I haven't been on Skookum Flats since before the flooding. There is only a couple of inches of snow left at the elevation and probably a lot less in the trees so other than where the trail was likely washed away I bet it is very passable by foot or bike. I bet the base of the falls has been completely reshaped.

Also, welcome aboard Jim!