Off highway 18 outside of Colville is some of the best single track in Washington but I heard a rumor they where cutting some of the trails out to the actual radar dome itself to keep everyone away and " make a nature walk out of it. When I heard that all I could do was "Gulp" not another left wing group restricting access. Anyone know the true story?

The trails are off of highway 20. Radar Dome trails are located on DNR ground and I have not heard anything of the sort. I am an avid volunteer and am sure I would have heard something if there was any activity. Where did you get your info??? This really doesn't make a lot of sense as there are logging roads right to the Radar Dome and the paint ballers have pretty well vandalized the place.

I lived in Metaline and Ione for a bit while young, and want to come back over and ride. Are they open now, no fire restrictions? Batey Bould?

Prolly want to come over in a couple weeks...

I sure hopes its just a rumor only, that place is one of my favorites around.

I was told that by a paint baller actually that was kicked out of there. I guess they want to keep EVERYONE out because if they kick on group out they kick em all out. HE also said it was overlapping on Indian land too and it was a sticky issue of who gets access and who doesnt. Hopefully he was just blowin smoke.

I may be moving there... I hope the good stuff doesn't go away.

r4sbergXR600 said:

How bad? Any chance of some pics? Not too long ago, that place used to be so out in the middle of nowhere, pristine and perfect singletrack...what happened?

They have just graffitied the buildings and knocked a bunch of blocks out of walls. There are NO TRESPASSING signs painted all over the building, but no enforcement. The only vandalism done to the trails has been by quads. Quads have been on nearly everything up there now except for the trails north of Frater Lake.

Everything is open right now, though fire danger is moderate-high.


What job are you looking at up here Chase? I have a tough time remembering where your nomadic arse is at these days! ;)

r4sbergXR600 said:

:lol: :lol: :lol: Nomadic out of necessity! Currently stuck in Lakeview, OR about 15 miles from the California line.
There is a job opening in my field with the FS up there- we'd be living in either Newport or Metaline Falls if I got the job. There is also a chance I could be getting a job in Tonasket, WA (few hours north of Wenatchee)- trying to get closer to family.

I rode there last summer and had a great time. The trails had been closed for fire danger but it had rained the night before I arrived and the trails were perfect. Moist, with no dust and an 80 degree day. The trails are definitely maintained and there is a big map at the parking area designating this as open for motorized use. I hope it is not about to get shut down.

Here is one pic from last summer. Hopefully I'll make it out again this August or thereabouts.



Greg

GregMatty said:

That pic makes my pocketbook shake, I gotta get out there and see my Uncle Sam...gas prices be darned. My uncle Sam lives in Ione, right on the Pend Oreille...last summer I drove to Happy's Inn Montana to ride, but the FS manager had just closed the forest for fire danger, so I came back to Ione and headed up to Batey Bould...sign at trailhead said they had just closed the trails the day before due to fire danger...so I headed back to Seattle, thinking I'd stop and ride somewhere at least once while on vacation...coming thru Spokane the trailer wheel stub axle broke, tore the corner off the enclosed trailer and dumped all my bikes and stuff out in the intersection. :thumbsdn: Lots of money, a flatbed, and a tow got us home. Monkey butt from seat of truck.

thanks for the pic...me and the boys headed that way :)

Rode there last weekend - trails were in good shape. There was a ton of down trees from last weeks windstorm. We had to drag bikes over several good size trees or ride around a bit to find the trail. We rode all day Sunday, didnt see another soul. The actual Radar Dome area was cool, the paintballers and local miscreants had "tagged" the buildings up a bit. Looked very Mad Max-esque. The trails are great with rocks and roots and some tricky low speed rock gardens. Im glad I had a light weight 250 to haul around.

Hit me with specific questions,

Matt

http://picasaweb.goo...997468035164034

http://picasaweb.goo...997243225405762

http://picasaweb.goo...997798511714386

vsekvsek said:

Might look into "Quiet Communities Coalition" based out of Malo. I had a post on this guy just a few days ago.

Looks like they are closing the forest on the 17th. OUCH!!! I spoke too soon :rant:

closing what forest? The Radar Dome area?

I just spoke with the Colville National Forest office and they didnt have restrictions in place as of today at 4:25p.m. :applause: Id call before heading up though.

Colville National Forest Information -
509-684-7000

The Colville is open, it is not BLM land, it is Forest Service and DNR. Calm down.

Im calm........although I must admit reading about the 09 YZ250 has me all jacked up!!

Ok, calming down...having flashbacks from last years debacle...but closure is prolly not too far off if rain doesn't come. I'll call first. Thank you for the clarification :thumbsup:

I would expect closure of the FS trails within two weeks without moisture.

Slackkinhard said:

Maybe I'll see you out there. :thumbsup:

I'll bring my Sea Doo and try the lake by Ione. I was there two years ago but without my toys. Mom was looking at property and I was here chauffer that weekend. I would move to Colville tomorrow if I could make enough money. The north central and north eastern parts of Washington state just can't be beat.

Greg