Description for Fish Hook Flats
Meander along a river bottom, climb Taneum ridge, then drop down into Fishhook flats on delicious singletrack. From there you can opt to either cross the river and hook into the North Fork Taneum trail, or scoot back out to the road and up the drainage to gain another 4 miles or so of smooth buttah North Fork moto singletrack on the return. Either way, be prepared to wade across the creek multiple times.
No epic views from this route, but the forest and creek are beautiful in their own right. Wildlife sightings of grouse, deer, and elk aren't uncommon and there's always the possibility of spotting the more elusive black bear or cougar.
This ride isn't particularly technical and most of the elevation gain is on fire road. The longer route is around 20 miles. Guidebooks suggest 5 hours to complete- I suspect strong riders could whip it out in much less.
Eastern Washington standard. No go in Winter. You need to find out when it has melted. Good in early summer and early fall. Can get dusty in mid-summer. Is frequented by moto crowds but very few hikers & horses.
- From the campground head back toward the paved road.
- Turn left onto the fire road above the campground (rd 3300).
- Ride approx. 1 mile until there is a fork to the left. Go Left.
- Follow this doubletrack/jeep trail keeping right (large berm at beginning of trail- if you hit the river, you've got too far). It gets mighty steep at the end but pops you back out on to a road.
- Go left on the road (rd 3300).
- Take the road up past a couple trail intersections and a couple road intersections. Milepost 'lucky' 13 means you're about 1/2 mile from the top.
- After 5 miles you are looking for a trail titled "FISH HOOK FLATS" on your right- take it.
- When it intersects with the North Fork Taneum Trail #1377 - go right. *unless you want to do more- see Monster Ride link below for more details on longer route.
- When this pops out on a road in 7 miles - cross it. *or turn to the right on the road to bomb back to the Taneum junction
- Follow this trail until you hit the double track. After two miles, there will be a singletrack on the right. Take this.
- at the bottom, you can see the campground.