On the Trail Naches Sportsman’s Days

Special points of interest:

Naches Parade

Editorial

Ride Reports

Cascade Q uad Squad New sl e t t e r

September/October 2015

Volume 3, Issue 19

Club members strategize prior to the beginning of the parade and then get lined up

for the official start.

On September 12th, a number of Cascade Quad Squad

members participated in the Naches Sportsman’s Days Pa-

rade. With their machines all shined up, and some treats to

pass out to the younger spectators, the crowd seemed to en-

joy the ATVs and Side-by-Sides of the Cascade Quad Squad.

On the Trail Page 2

Naches Sportsman’s Days Cont’d

The beautiful weather brought out a large crowd to view the big parade.

Scott and Loraye brought a number of their machines to display in the parade.

Watch your Washington State Fish and Wildlife Offi-

cers in action on the Animal Planet Network. This real-

ity series follows the Wardens on their daily patrols

and captures some very exciting and dangerous situa-

tions that these men and women face on a day to day

basis. The show airs on Sundays at 10:00 pm.

Page 3 On the Trail

Editorial - Problems with Discover Pass

I have a problem with the Discover Pass. Don’t get me

wrong, I do not have a problem with paying my fair share

to enjoy our state’s natural resources. I pay plenty of

money for my hunting and fishing licenses and I don’t

complain if I don’t get an elk or fail to land a trout. I un-

derstand that I am paying for the privilege of pursuing

game - not for a guarantee that I will actually get any-

thing.

So, what do we get for the money we spend on the Dis-

cover Pass? We get to park a vehicle on lands belonging to

the State for a period of one year. On the surface, that

sounds fairly reasonable. So what’s my beef?

Well, let me start with this: The Discover Pass is valid for

two vehicles, but you can only use it for one vehicle at a

time. First, how is this fair to the many individuals that

only have one vehicle that they would ever use on State

lands? Why should they pay for a pass this is good for two

vehicles? Would it not make more sense to make the Dis-

cover Pass valid for one vehicle and cut the price in

half? Oh, but then someone might buy two passes and use two vehicles on State lands

at the same time! So what? Do State officials actually believe that this will lead to too

many vehicles on State land at one time? What are the chances that very many people

would ever use two vehicles at the same time? I am confident that we would never see

overcrowding from this issue.

The other problem that I have with this concept is that this sets users up to inadver-

tently violate the Discover Pass Law. With one pass that is good for two vehicles, how

many times does a person head for State land and, when they arrive, realize that they

left their pass in the other vehicle? I would say that this is a fairly frequent occurrence.

I know that I have done this on a number of occasions and it aggravates me to no end.

It’s not my fault! The system is flawed and I have a problem with that.

And, let me ask you this: Do you need a Discover Pass just to drive through State

lands? Well, here is the answer to that question - it depends.

Here is what the law (RCW 79A.80.080) says:

Cont’d on Page 4

On the Trail Page 4

Editorial Cont’d

(1) A discover pass, vehicle access pass, or day-use permit must be visibly displayed in the front windshield, or otherwise in a prominent location for motor vehicles without a windshield, of any motor vehicle: (a) Operating on any recreation site or lands; or (b) Parking at any recreation site or lands. (2) The discover pass, the vehicle access pass, or the day-use permit is not required:

... (d) When operating on a road managed by the department of natural resources or the

department of fish and wildlife, including a forest or land management road, that is not blocked

by a gate.

So, the law says that you need a Discover Pass to operate on or park at any recreation site

or lands unless you are operating on a road ...that is not blocked by a gate. What?

I interpret this to mean that you don’t need a Discover Pass to operate on State lands, and

here is my reasoning: this section of law makes no sense at all. First, it says you need the

pass to operate, but then the exception is that you don’t need it if you are on a road not

blocked by a gate. So, if you are able to travel on a road on State land, you don’t need the

pass, because if the road was blocked by a gate, you would not be able to be there in the

first place.

And then there is this - Washington State’s Official Discover Pass website specifically

states: If you just want to drive through state recreation lands managed by DNR and

WDFW and you do not leave your vehicle, you do not need a pass. So, If anyone insists

that you need a pass to operate your motor vehicle on State land, politely advise them that

the official website says that you do not need the pass and, besides, you are not traveling

on a road that is blocked by a gate.

Another problem that I have is that some government representatives still think that the

Discover Pass applies to ATVs and UTVs when they are registered for on-road use. They

are wrong. I remind all members that the Discover Pass law applies to “motor vehicle”, and

that ATVs and UTVs are exempt because the same law excludes them from the definition

of “motor vehicle”.

I recently discussed my frustrations with this law with our State Senator Curtis King. He

was sympathetic to my views and did agree that there were significant problems with the

Discover Pass. If enough of us complain to our State representatives, perhaps positive

change can be accomplished.

The opinions expressed in this editorial are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the posi-

tion of the Cascade Quad Squad. Ken Didion,

Page 5 On the Trail

Ride Report - The Wenas

On Saturday, October 3rd, 10 riders hit the greendot roads from BBQ Flats and

headed up onto Cleman Mountain and on down to Mud Lake and back. The ride, led

by Trail Captain Tim Dunn, took in 43 miles of fine scenery and great company.

Tim Dunn and Ron and Linda Harris pause on the top of Cleman Mountain before

heading down to Mud Lake.

Neely Moore on the trail on Cleman Mtn.

On the Trail Page 6

Ride Report - The Wenas Cont’d

Lunch break at Mud Lake

Norm and Tim relax and

visit before resuming the

trail after lunch.

On the Trail Page 7

Ride Report - Nasty Creek

Six riders took a mid-week ride out of Nasty Creek on Wednesday, November 5. The

group rode up over Buck Ridge and headed for Foundation. About 45 minutes into the

ride the guys had a rock break in one tire that brought the ride to a halt. After a 30 min-

ute repair job the ride was able to continue. The "fix it along the trail" session was a

good reminder of the importance of a tire repair kit and an air compressor. The guys

used a small sling rope and a winch line to tip the side by side just enough to remove the

tire for easier repair.

The ride continued to Foundation where the group ran into 4-5 inches of snow on the

way to Blue Slide Lookout. The riders then dropped off the ridge and down to Blue Lake

for lunch. The lake was beautiful with a skim of fresh ice and the only tracks in the snow

were deer and elk.

The guys then rode out to the North Fork and rolled down the 13 miles to the pavement.

They then shot up over Jackass and took the 5000 Tr exit and headed back to their

trucks. The total ride was 47 miles and the group was out for five hours.

Riders were Neely Moore, Bob Schafer, David Ramynke, Norm Alderson, Chuck Hamp-

ton and Tim Dunn.

On the Trail Page 8

Ride Report - Nasty Creek Cont’d

Founded in September of 2007, the Cascade Quad Squad

has grown to over 100 individual members and more

than 20 corporate members. We are dedicated to enjoy-

ing, promoting and protecting the sport of ATVing. We

hold scheduled ride events year-round as well as im-

promptu rides to enjoy our public lands. We work

with various agencies to ensure that adequate riding op-

portunities exist for the general public. We volunteer our

time and effort toward maintaining and accessing our

riding opportunities. Our main purpose: to have lots of

FUN! Come and join us! We meet the second Tuesday of

each month at 7:00PM at Round Table Pizza near Fred

Meyers on 40th.

Our club has performed several service projects. We

worked cooperatively with the DNR and supplied the

workforce to remove two damaged wooden bridges and

replace them with rock crossings on the Gray Rock trail.

The club also has an ongoing highway litter control pro-

ject between Gleed and Naches.

The Cascade Quad Squad encourages and welcomes new

members. Feel free to attend on of our monthly meetings

or drop us an email on the Contact Us tab on our website.

Cascade Quad Squad

2900 South 42nd Ave.

Yakima, WA 98903

We’re on the Web!

Cascadequadsquad.com

Corporate members are all welcome to advertise in our newsletter at no charge to them. If you have an

event or a sale that you would like to include in the next issue, just email the details to the editor at kjdid-

ion@gmail.com

Les Schwab Tire Sales, Yakima

and Union Gap

Invisible Ink, Yakima

Lonestar Ranch House Restaurant,

Yakima

Vanamburg Enterprises, Yakima

Canopy Country RV, Union Gap

Rad’s Auto Repair, Yakima

ToppCreek Farms, Toppinish

Our club website contains a full listing

of our Corporate Members and includes

addresses, phone numbers and website

links.

Whenever you can, try to support those

who support us. Our corporate members

show their support for our club’s goals

by paying for their corporate member-

ship. Our corporate members are listed

on our website, but we will also provide

a list of them here. When you are doing

business with them, let them know that

you are a member of the Cascade Quad

Squad and that you appreciate their

support.

Our Corporate Members are:

Valley Marine, Yakima

Owen’s Cycle, Inc., Yakima

The Woodshed Restaurant and

Lounge, Naches

Premier Power Sports, Yakima

Selah Trailer Camper Sales, Inc.,

Selah

ITEC: Independent Trailer &

Equipment Co., Inc., Yakima

Greg Stevenson Construction,

Cowiche

Round Table Pizza, Yakima

Poulin’s Motorcycle, Yakima

AlphaTronics, Tukwila

Hurst Brumback & Brusic, Union

Gap

Yukon’s Trucking

Ellensburg Powersports

Support Our Corporate Members

“Tread Lightly, Obey the Law, and

Respect Our Natural Resourses”