Trip report by: Toy Man
Nine Xterras gathered in the parking lot at the intersection of Salmon Falls highway and WA highway 14 in the entrance to the Columbia Gorge. The parking lot was undergoing a construction revamp and a nice state trooper reminded us that parking in a construction zone was a no-no. So off we go – up the Salmon Falls highway and then a right turn onto the Mabee Mines road. At the end of the pavement we took the left hand side of the road fork and had a nice drive to the beginning of power line 4×4 trail.
The 4×4 section started off in thick fog with a run up a fairly steep deeply rutted dirt track. Everyone did fine. Then thru the mud puddle and on up the dirt section until we crossed over the road we drove in on. A short stop to watch three yahoos and their beater 4×4 rigs show us why 4×4’s get such a bad rep. Then we began climbing the rough rock strewn power line track. When we got to the ‘interesting’ rock, it was lockers only. The gen 2 Xterras did fine and the gen 1’s without lockers took the bypass. Several more long climbing sections thru rutted rough tracks and we stopped for lunch. Mosi played mechanic and tracked down a noise to a loose upper A arm bolt. Still very foggy and cool.
After lunch we drove up another rutted/rough section to the top and then down to the main road. I think it took us 3 hours plus to do the 4×4 stuff.
A short regroup then Mateo led us to Three Corner rock. Neat rock but still so damn foggy/cloudy you could not see anything. Have to go back and check the view out another time. The fog/clouds broke as we started back down and we could begin seeing the surrounding country. Went down the back side of Three Corner rock mountain stopping at a very nice waterfall and then out to Highway 14 at Salisahn Lodge/Stevenson. I split for home at that point.
Great day with a great group. Participants: Toy Man, Mateo, Brian, Datroubl, Shaunb, Scott T, DWilly, Andy and Jo, and Mosi and Mindie.
Scott T
The whole group