The Ahtanum State Forest is a very large area west of Yakima, Washington. US12 is near the north boarder, Rimrock boarders the west and the Yakama Indian Reservation boarders the south. You can ride ATVs and dirt bikes on all the Green Dot trails and roads. In the winter some are close and groomed for snowmobiles.
There are some great views from on top of the ridges. Eagle Nest Vista is a great view overlooking the North Fork. On a clear day from Darland Mountain (6981') you can see Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson. On the Divide Ridge trail 613 you can down on Rimrock Lake and get a great view on Mt. Rainier. Some of the hardest 4x4 trails are long Divide Ridge. Those trails are called Rimrock.
The Grey Rock Trail is a single track trail that begins at the Tree Phones Campground. It ties with a Forest Service trail 613. Some sections have been made for ATVs to use.
Jumpoff Tower (5670') is at the northwest point of the Ahtanum. It has a great view over looking Rimrock and US12.
Blue Lake (6202') is a great place to stop for lunch. It is on a 4x4 trail off the North Fork Ahtanum Creek Road on the way up to Blue Slide Lookout (6785').
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Camp Grounds
All the Ahtanum State Forest camp grounds are free to use. You can get to all the camp grounds with any vehicle when the snow is gone. These are the designated camp grounds:
- Ahtanum Meadows...Out houses, fire pits, picnic tables, trash cans
- Ahtanum................Out houses, fire pits, picnic tables, trash cans
- Sno-park................Out house
- Tree Phones...........Out houses, fire pits, picnic tables, trash cans, shelter
- Clover Flats............Out houses, fire pits, picnic tables, trash cans
- Snow Cabin............Out houses, fire pits, picnic tables, trash cans
You can ride ATVs from all the camp ground except for Ahtanum Meadows.
No riding around the camping areas or Sno-park. Enter and exit only with a 5 MPH speed limit!
Note: Clover Flats is a hard climb with a heavy load.
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The Green Dot system means only roads and trails with Green Dot road markers are open. You can ride on all the Green Dot roads and trails in the Ahtanum unless it is posted closed or is a trail being groomed for snowmobiles.
Green dot roads are a cooperative road management program between public land management agencies and private landowners. In the Green Dot Road Management System all roads in an area are closed unless posted open with a green dot. Roads identified as “green dot roads” on green dot maps and posted with a round green reflector on white markers are open to public motor vehicles. Green dot maps of most areas are free and available at WDFW and DNR offices. Some maps and agreements are being reformatted due to current land exchanges and are out of print right now.
Except for roads open by green dot designation, all roads and trails are closed to all wheeled motor vehicles including ATVs. Violators will be subject to prosecution pursuant to W.A.C. 232.12.187. Closing sensitive areas helps protect fish from sediment running off of roads, migratory routes of big game, wildlife habitat, and timber and road resources while allowing for safe and fun recreation opportunities. The green dot roads are meant to remain at a net amount of miles, so when one section is removed from the management agreement, another may be added of equal length. Roads designated as green dot can change as harvest or sites are identified which may need protection or rehabilitation. We appreciate help from users in maintaining and educating about our green dot system!
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Volunteer Opportunities:
Every year there are clean-ups at the Ahtanum State Forest.
The All Wheelers Off Roads also has some work day on the trails.
Past work parties:
2007 Ahtanum ORV Trails Clean-up - Hosted by the All Wheelers Off Road Club
All Wheelers Off Road Club - Trail repair run * November 4th, 2007
All Wheelers Off Road Club - 4W613 work day * July 12th, 2008
2008 Ahtanum ORV Trails Clean-up - Hosted by the All Wheelers Off Road Club
For more information e-mail: Clay Graham
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ORV Trails, Sites and other area info:
Trail 4W613 / Divide Ridge East
Darland Mountain
Sedge Ridge and Trails
Strobach Mountain
Whites Ridge and Trails
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Pictures and run reports:
http://www.aworc.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=7
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Maps
Map how to get to the Ahtanum State Forest
Map of the Ahtanum State Forest:
The latest DRN map http://cegranch.com/map/ahtanum-2005.pdf
Maps of locations of the Ahtanum State Forest
Windy Point Entrance off Hwy12.
Cowiche Mill Rd Entrance
4W613 & 4W608 - Louie Way Gap
4W613 & Strobach Mt Trail
4W613 & Grey Rock Trail
Ahtanum Meadows
Ahtanum Camp Ground
Ahtanum Sno-park
Tree Phones
Darland Mountain
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For more information on the Ahtanum State Forest or about this site please e-mail: Clay Graham
For official info on the Ahtanum State Forest see: DNR
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