Oregon Harris Park/Milton Freewater: Dude, don't go left

[TigerTanker]

A fun time a month or so ago with The War Rider....

 

At about 4 minutes, you'll catch one of my secret talents. At 5 minutes something War Rider tries to kill a Deer on the gravel road. 

 

If you've never been to this place...you gotta try it. Very fun ride, great scenery. About a 45 mile loop, with the way back completely following the river canyon. 

 

 

 

[jasongind]

That looks like a really fun ride

[Russ Henry]

A fun time a month or so ago with The War Rider....

 

At about 4 minutes, you'll catch one of my secret talents. At 5 minutes something War Rider tries to kill a Deer on the gravel road. 

 

If you've never been to this place...you gotta try it. Very fun ride, great scenery. About a 45 mile loop, with the way back completely following the river canyon. 

 

Awesome! I would like you to take me there in the spring. Looks like War Rider really likes that FX 450 ? I sure did!  

[Rodeojones]

Great video and great ride.  Makes me want to make the drive from the west side...thanks for sharing.

[TigerTanker]

If I'm going to Harris Park, it's obviously going to be a multi day trip. From Tacoma I'd start with day one being either Little Naches or Mattawa/Vantage, I'd spend the night in Tri Cities. W/e rates are pretty reasonable there and selection is big, along with decent restaurants, services, wineries, entertainment. Next day hit Juniper dunes in Pasco, spend the night in Tri Cities and make the drive to Milton Freewater in the morning for Harris Park. Heck, drive back later to Cle Elum and hit a ride in that area.

 

Some seriously great riding to be had on a trip like that. In the video, you'll see that we follow the river back to camp. At a few spots the trail is only a couple feet above river level. I wondered if sometimes it covers the trail in Spring? We also crossed at least a couple dozen minor creeks along the way... Perhaps a regular can comment on that. 

 

Here is my GPS track via all trails for the ride. There was a sneaky amount of elevation change going on that I really didn't sense as we were riding. 

 

http://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/harris-park-loop

[Tye Durden]

If I'm going to Harris Park, it's obviously going to be a multi day trip. From Tacoma I'd start with day one being either Little Naches or Mattawa/Vantage, I'd spend the night in Tri Cities. W/e rates are pretty reasonable there and selection is big, along with decent restaurants, services, wineries, entertainment. Next day hit Juniper dunes in Pasco, spend the night in Tri Cities and make the drive to Milton Freewater in the morning for Harris Park. Heck, drive back later to Cle Elum and hit a ride in that area.

 

Some seriously great riding to be had on a trip like that. In the video, you'll see that we follow the river back to camp. At a few spots the trail is only a couple feet above river level. I wondered if sometimes it covers the trail in Spring? We also crossed at least a couple dozen minor creeks along the way... Perhaps a regular can comment on that. 

 

Here is my GPS track via all trails for the ride. There was a sneaky amount of elevation change going on that I really didn't sense as we were riding. 

 

http://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/harris-park-loop

Looks like a great ride, thanks for posting the GPS that helps a ton to figure out staging, and well where the heck the trail is! I think going late enough in the Spring to be snow free there,  Mattawa would be on the "sand too dry for me" side, maybe Juniper Dunes also but that is just me.  I am planning a long weekend around next year's Washougal Nationals that includes skiing at Mt. Hood, a couple possibilities around Hood River, the race, and maybe have to see if we can fit in Harris Park/MF. 

Edited November 28, 2016 by KaToomTime

[Rodeojones]

If I'm going to Harris Park, it's obviously going to be a multi day trip. From Tacoma I'd start with day one being either Little Naches or Mattawa/Vantage, I'd spend the night in Tri Cities. W/e rates are pretty reasonable there and selection is big, along with decent restaurants, services, wineries, entertainment. Next day hit Juniper dunes in Pasco, spend the night in Tri Cities and make the drive to Milton Freewater in the morning for Harris Park. Heck, drive back later to Cle Elum and hit a ride in that area.

 

Some seriously great riding to be had on a trip like that. In the video, you'll see that we follow the river back to camp. At a few spots the trail is only a couple feet above river level. I wondered if sometimes it covers the trail in Spring? We also crossed at least a couple dozen minor creeks along the way... Perhaps a regular can comment on that. 

 

Here is my GPS track via all trails for the ride. There was a sneaky amount of elevation change going on that I really didn't sense as we were riding. 

 

http://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/harris-park-loop

 

I have a son who lives in Eburg so a ride like this while living on the W. Side is a def. reality.  Thanks for posting the GPS tracks, thats awesome.