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By: Dave Helgeson
Places to Ride:
Shaser Creek near Leavenworth, WA
Easy Riding at Shaser Creek
Great Views Along Shaser Creek Road
Shaser Creek Loading Area
Typical Road at Shaser Creek |
I have mentioned before, the US Forest
Service in Washington State has been very slow
providing ATV routes, while sales of ATVs soar
in the Northwest. By chance, I happened to find
a legal ATV route in the Wenatchee National
Forest while doing a little gold prospecting.
From information posted on the bulletin board at
the trailhead, I learned “The Shaser Creek road
system is one of only two road systems on the
Wenatchee National Forest where ATV use is
authorized.”
As mentioned, this is a forest
service road system, not a dual track ATV trail.
The road is gated to full-size vehicles--a gate
keeper on the side provides ATV access. The road
accesses numerous mining claims, with valid
claim holders possessing keys to the gate. While
unlikely, be prepared to meet a full-size
vehicle at all times. The road system carries
you up and over the shoulder of Iron Mountain
ending at trailheads to several mines. Scenery
abounds along the road, and the riding is
suitable for novice riders.
Camping:
Camping is allowed on Forest Service land for a
maximum of 14 days. There are nice campsites
along the road to the trailhead with a large
area just to the Southeast of the trailhead that
would hold several RVs.
Getting There:
From Hwy 97 on the north side of Blewett Pass
(Chelan County), take the Old Blewett Pass
Highway (Jct. coordinates 47 24.094N 120
39.307W) and proceed south. In about one mile
you will encounter road (FS 200) to the right
(Jct. coordinates 47 23.539N 120 39.478W) and a
bridge crossing Peshastin Creek. Take this road
for about ½ mile to (coordinates 47 23.401N 120
40.036W) the trailhead on your right.
Note:
There is an area that has been back filled
behind a log on the north side of the trailhead.
This makes an excellent loading ramp for your
ATVs.
Services:
Food, lodging, groceries,
and gas are available in Cle Elum to the south
and Leavenworth is your closest full-service
town to the north.
Rules and Regulations:
- Travel with ATVs is only permitted on designated
roads including North Shaser #7322 and Iron
Mountain #7322-400 (see map). Operating ATVs on
other roads is prohibited.
- ATV use is prohibited off-road, including all
trails in this area or high marking on the road
banks.
- All ATVs must have a U.S. Forest Service
approved spark arrestor and current ORV
registration.
- Follow the rules of the road to prevent
accidents:
- Speed should not
exceed 20 mph on straight stretches.
- On
curves or brushy\sections, maintain a stopping
distance of 1/3 your sight distance at all
times.
- Stay to the right hand
side; do not travel side by side.
- Reckless riders will be cited under (36 CFR
261.13)
- Maximum ATV width is 48”
- ATVs shall not be operated between dusk and dawn
without a lighted taillight and headlight.
- No one under age 13 may operate an ATV on or
across a highway or road except on a road
designated for off-highway vehicle use under
direct supervision of a person at least 18 who
has a driver's license.
Please note:
- Recently the forest service received an $8,900
grant to provide a bike ranger to patrol the
roads. Please stay on the authorized trail and
obey the rules and regulations. These are the
only authorized ATV trails in this area; don’t
spoil it for everyone.
- Some riders have started riding off-road and
building their own trails. Please stay off these
trails and stay on designated trails only. Ask
others you encounter in your visit to do the
same.
For Additional Information:
Wenatchee River Ranger District
600
Sherbourne
Leavenworth, WA 98826
Phone
509-548-6977
Fax 509-548-5817
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/
Note:
Currently there is no mention of this area on
the website.
Be safe, enjoy, and I hope to
see you on the trails.
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