|
Trail Description:
A couple of hundred yards past the gate look to the right for a faint trail leading toward the saddle on the nearby ridge. Climb the saddle and continue up the trail negotiating a steep long challenging climb up to the rim. Take a left on the ridge and continue climbing. Follow the ridge down a steep decline through some "S" turns, across the paved road and up the next steep hill. Pause here to catch your breath and soak in the extraordinary scenery. Continue along the ridge upriver along the Devil's Backbone exercising caution to avoid perilous cliffs and soft areas. There is a large dropoff once you're past the Devil's Backbone. It comes up on you really sudden. The trail to the right will take you around the dropoff. It has been ridden but only attempt it if you're VERY certain of your descending abilities. Maintain a high cadence and attempt riding up the short steep rollers enroute to the turn around point. At about 6 miles out a recent landslide prohibits further travel. Watch out for large soil cracks near the end of the trail. Retrace the trail back and gain a new perspective on the hills that seemed steep going up.
How to get there:
From Pasco, go towards Richland on I-182. Turn right on Road 68. Where the road forks, take the bend to the right - that's Taylor Flats Road. Follow Taylor Flats for about 13 miles until it comes to a T, which is the intersection with Ringold Road. Turn left onto Ringold Road, follow it down a windy grade about 2.5 miles and keep alert as you approach an orchard on the left. You need to head toward the Ringold fish hatchery, which means a sharp left as you near the bottom of a hill. Unfortunately, that turn is somewhat obscured by the orchard. Once you make the turn and are facing the river, you'll come to another T in the road. Take a right onto Ringold River Road and you're nearly there. Stay on Ringold River Rd. (gravel) for about 9 miles to parking at the Public Fishing Access on the Columbia River (turn left just before the gate across the road).
Additional Notes:
Land Ownership: Recently, management of the area has been turned over to the US Fish & Wildlife Services.
| Posted by: Skierdude28 on 7/14/2011 |
|
 |
noticed that no one has posted anything on this in a long while so here goes. Started out on the rough paved road because I couldn't find the trail head. After riding quite a ways up I found the trail where it crosses the road so I gladly hopped off the road. I road it in early spring this year so the wet spots on the trail clogged up my tires. There were tons of tumble weeds in the trail and at times hard to follow since it obviously hadn't been ridden in a while. I didn't make it to where previous posters had mentioned the wash out, but on the way back I found the part of the trail I missed earlier and a lot more tumble weeds. The steep parts (really steep) of the trail were muddy so needless to say I did my fair share of hiking the bike. All in all I had a great time and saw some amazing views. Gave it a "3" due to the condition of the trail...
|
| Posted by: Tri-City Cyclist on 4/4/2007 |
|
|
I rode this trail last weekend and I've road this trail every spring and fall for the last 3 years, it's not too bad. Lot's of hike a bike but the views of the reach are unbelievable. There are no signs mentioning that access is restricted. Not many people use this trail. I fully reccomend this trail, just not in the summer and bring at least 2 liters of water or a purifier.
|
| Posted by: Scott Horn on 11/11/2001 |
|
|
This is a really fun ride with lotsa options, given it's an out and back. The views of the Columbia River and Hanford Site are great. The fact that there's no other traffic around makes it all the better. Don't ride in the summer, unless you've great heat endurance, beause there's no shade. There's a great downhill track off a ridge that'll challenge your grit. I've rode this trail about 10 times and had a great trip every time. But since our beloved President Clinton made the area a National Monument, they've locked out the mountain bikes. A sad day.
|
| Posted by: Mark jones on 5/16/2000 |
|
|
Just a heads up. The White Bluffs Ride may become off limits for recreational use in the near future because the U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE MANAGEMENT OF WAHLUKE SLOPE. If you want to get involved, send an email to paula_call@fws.govand request to be added to the mailing list for the Wahluke Comprehensive Conservation Plan. Remember to include your home address. Here is some information I dug up for your edification. Hanford Comprehensive Land-Use PlanEnvironmental Impact StatementsSeptember 1999 U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE MANAGEMENT OF WAHLUKE SLOPE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE WELCOMES PROPOSAL TO MANAGE WAHLUKE SLOPE Here is the address for the Wahluke CCP:Wahluke Project Leader 3250 Port of Benton Blvd. Richland, WA 99352
|
| Posted by: mark jones on 5/16/2000 |
|
|
Links for the Wahluke Comprehensive Conservation Plan:www.hanford.gov/eis/hraeis/maintoc.htmpacific.fws.gov/news/9979.htmpacific.fws.gov/news/9920.htmRemember to send an email to Paula_Call@FWS.GOV and request to be added to the mailing list.
|
| Posted by: Kevin Axt on 12/6/1999 |
|
|
I rode this trail for the first time for my birthday this year. The trail runs along the White Bluffs of eastern Washington above the Columbia River. You start off by making some steepish climbs up to a saddle then make a left turn up the ridge. Once you top out on the ridge you're riding the "knife edge" until you drop off steeply back to the flatter area. WOOHOO!You've got the White Bluffs of the Wahluke Slope on your right side and the Columbia on the left side. Ridge running along the Devil's Backbone (legend has it that money from a bank robbery was hidden here), swooping downhill into ravines and popping up the other side. The area and trail remind me of the pictures that I've seen of the trails around Fruita, CO. While this may not be the "best" singletrack in the Tri-Cities, WA area it IS the best "adventure singletrack", in my humble opinion.
|
| 
