Buck Meadows Trail (4W311)
Buck Meadows Trail (4W311)
Distance: 6.31 miles
Running Time: Approx. 2 hours one way
Difficulty: More Difficult
Pass Needed: NO
The old timers know this as the "Divide trail" however since about 1998 the forest service has called it Buck Meadows on all their lists and maps. Now in preparation for the new Travel Management Plan that is set to go into effect in 2010 the forest service is now listing the trail as the Divide trail again. By what ever name you want to call it this trail is fairly easy and to that end kind of boring. There are a few hill climbs/decents along the route that will earn the trail a More Difficult rating when conditions are wet. The western 1/3 of the trail also has some areas that are really tight in the trees that make it suitable only for short wheelbase vehicles at that point otherwise it would be suitable for larger rigs.
There are a few places along the trail that afford views of the Cascade and Stuart Mt. ranges. Logging in the area has caused the trail to change course a few times and may make it impassable if not for a chainsaw. Route finding can also be a bit confusing as well.
For our money there are lots of trails out there that offer a better challenge and better views.
Thanks to Dan Rheaume for the photographs, as I left my camera at home this day.....
Getting There:
From Ellensburg: Follow Umptanum road west 1.66 miles and turn right onto Manastash Road (there is a school here on the right) Continue west on Manastash Road (which will turn into FS31) for 20.5 miles and watch for the sign (Picture upper right) on the right.
Get directions from your location with Google Maps.
GPS Data File: BuckMeadows.zip (Includes GPS waypoint list, TPO, GPX and map)
Printable Map Frost-Buck.pdf (inludes Frost Mtn. Trail, 3.5mb)
Camping:
