Manastash ???

[Angus]

Looking for a little help in the Manastash unit. I grew up hunting it, basically from Joe Watt up to Tamarack Springs as well as up around Quartz/Frost Mtn. I haven't hunted the unit since a family member died there back in the early 90's but after a 25 year hiatus, I want to go back.

My question is, I've only entered the unit from the I-90 side, Elk Heights area, now that I'll be coming from Kelso, I want to know what the shortest route into the unit would be, I've looked at mapquest and see roads off of Chinook pass but then I hear about washed out roads so I guess I'm trying to avoid wasting a lot of gas figuring out which road(s) will get me there. I plan on making a couple scouting trips this summer, maybe more if I draw anything. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Btw, driving a Dakota 4x4 and I'm not afraid to use it.

[Skyvalhunter]

Is that the blue Dakota?

[Angus]

 

[bobcat]

If you go over White Pass, you can take Bald Mountain Road (I think 1701) and get into the Manastash unit that way. It's not the best road, and there's only one way that I know of. The rough part is going over the top of Manastash Ridge. I did it in my Chevy Silverado so it's not really that bad, just rocky and rough.

[TriggerMike]

I wouldn't bother going over 1701 or even going in from the Naches side at all. I've done it multiple times and the roads get crazy and it takes forever. I would just drive I-90 to Thorp and follow Taneum Creek up. That would be faster IMO.

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[elkaholic123]

 

[bobcat]

I'm not sure I-90 would be any faster with the possible slow traffic you could get caught up in. Even with no traffic issues it wouldn't take much longer to go White Pass, and instead of taking 1701 over the ridge, take I-82, or the Canyon road, up to Ellensburg, and then into the Manastash. I would definitely avoid going through Olympia/Tacoma/Puyallup if possible.

[Angus]

I'm not sure I-90 would be any faster with the possible slow traffic you could get caught up in. Even with no traffic issues it wouldn't take much longer to go White Pass, and instead of taking 1701 over the ridge, take I-82, or the Canyon road, up to Ellensburg, and then into the Manastash. I would definitely avoid going through Olympia/Tacoma/Puyallup if possible.

Thought about this too, just thought there might be a shorter, back door way in there.

[bobcat]

The 1701 route is shorter but it ends up taking just as long as driving all the way around, staying on the pavement. Just depends on what you're in the mood for, a nice smooth ride, or a rough ride where you might see some animals.

[TriggerMike]

I read Kelso and for some reason thought Kennewick. But which is the fastest route depends on where your end destination is in the unit. With that being said, I would just take 1701 and maximize time spent in the woods. Just enjoy the drive until Barber Springs then suck it up until you get through that and you'll be good to go.

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[TriggerMike]

Just for future reference, if you take 1701 from Hwy 410 all the way to I-90 at Cle Elum, you're probably looking at 5 or 6 hours. If you take pavement all the way around through Yakima then Ellensburg, then you're looking at 2 hours. I've done both routes many times.

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[PlateauNDN]

From the end of pavement at 1701 & 410 to I-90 & E-burg....I'd say plan for at least 3 hours. Definitely saving on gas because of the snail pace but the sights and sounds make it worth it just a long, bumpy drive.

[BNAElkhntr]

I Believe there is a Gate on Top that prevents the crossover of the Taneum to Chinook Pass During Hunting season
Some one correct me if Wrong

[hunterofelk]

I also took a break from this area, but not because of the same sad reason. I had a cow permit two seasons ago and returned.  Once you decide your route, you will find most of the areas that were clear cut have grown in and the roads have trees and brush growing in the shoulder.  There is also more ATV use and abuse.  The big change for you will be the spike only.  For camping with guns, it is fun.

[yakimanoob]

The 1701 route is shorter but it ends up taking just as long as driving all the way around, staying on the pavement. Just depends on what you're in the mood for, a nice smooth ride, or a rough ride where you might see some animals.

[cryder]

That is my area for the last 20 years , if you havent been there in 25 years you have a lot of new things to woory about than roads , to say the least !  Ill try not to get to stuborn here but if things like tbe Omack stampead seems to be your setting. You will fit right in , if i was you i would stay east if i was you , your not the only one who sees the succes rateings up there and on opening weekend you will understand , if thats hunting i need to find some newraindeer and a new sled that flies !!  If your bow hunting up there then wate till the 5th day of the season , then your hunting in the woods , not anational recreation area , where you have to dodge jeeps , dirt bikes , road hunters with open headers , jacked up on goof juice , crooks creeps n criminals robbing camps , and oh ya ! that fashionable dude in tbe corderoy camoes running through the woods like hes chaseing a winning lottery ticket !  All that being said , i will be there,,,,,,,, on the 5th day !!  I deffinately come in on the I90 side some of those roads are are very slow moveing, i had to make things passable in alot of spots chainsaw n shovel and a buddy to help move stuff , and I90 will have fish n feathers guideing your evry move so you can feel all washington and stuff inside !!

[92xj]

Cryder, for all the bitching you do about rimrock I find it humourous you saying manastash is and has been your area for the past 20 years. Which one is it?

[cryder]

Grandpa and grandma took us to bumping , manatash , and rimrock when i was to young to care , now that we are talkiny about my own journeys into the the might mountains it seems i still dont care where i was last , but i can tell you that if i say its there , its there cuz so am i , in the next ten years r so i will b there forever if you catch my drift ,,,,of dust in the wind cuz i absomutely love that country regardless of the negitives heck the whole world is full of anarcby , but up there they still let you arm yourself so maybe were all better off liveing in the mountains until the buerocrats take that too !!  Well certainly dont want to offend anybody that lives up there but it is what it has become , ive witnessed it and its slipping away quickly ,   SO GET OUT THERE WHILE WE STILL CAN