Dirt Toys

44 DIRT TOYS MAY 2014 was visible. Off to the southwest is the Loup Loup Ski Bowl and to the north and a bit west the effects of the Tripod Complex fire that swept through the area in 2006 burning nearly 180,000 acres are still quite noticeable. e views alone make Buck Moun- tain a must-stop on any ride in this part of Okanogan Country. e ride there and back to the main trail make it all the more fun. Once down off the mountain and back on the main trail, we headed north to Forest Road 42 and followed it for a ways before jumping off onto a side trail heading west. From there we crossed a feeder creek that goes into Cabin Creek. At the feeder creek is a big log jam created a couple of years ago from a heavy spring runoff that washed trees and rocks (more like boul- ders) downstream, creating all sorts of fun obstacles. e bigger logs have been cut to allow a vehicle to get through, but just seeing the massive downed trees and boulders in the area shows the power of Mother Nature. From there it was on to the Mother's Day Trail, so named by the locals, which was actually wiped out when bulldozers were called in to help fight a forest fire. e trail used to have lots of switchbacks but now it is practi- cally straight up and down with some remaining stumps, logs and roots. It's a little steep in spots but not too steep. e ATVs and side-by-sides in our group easily navigated down the hill. destination Ride in the Okanogan was more than OK TIMING IT JUST RIGHT Depending on the elevation we were riding during the day (between about 800 and 6,000 feet), the leaves were at different stages of changing colors as fall was in full swing during our October ride.

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