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Hover Park/A Bend in the River (Part 1)

02 Nov

I am splitting this up into 2 parts because while this is all the same area, there are 2 distinct areas in question.  This part deals with Hover park.

Hover park is a public park located to the east of Finley.  There are several ways to get there, but the best way is to get on Meals road and follow it out until Toothaker road. You can either take Toothaker until it turns into hover road to access a good offroading trail, or you can cross the tracks into the main part of the park at Cushman Road.  This will lead you to a railroad crossing next to the river.  This is an unmarked crossing.  So BE CAREFUL WHEN CROSSING.  That is the main line for BNSF and there are trains that go through there all the time.  Do not attempt to out run a train because you will not make it.  Also do not hang around the tracks because that is railroad property and if you are caught that is a federal offense.  And yes that area has been heavily patrolled by not only local police, but BNSF police also.  And don’t let the BNSF police car fool you.  This is a federal police officer for the FRA, and yes they are armed.  Not only that, they are commissioned state patrol and local police.  These are real police with real jurisdiction. So stay off and away from the rail.

That said, once you get on the other side, you will be on property owned by Kennewick General Hospital.  There is no dumping, and as far as I know, no shooting allowed on the property.  The property stops just on the other side of the rail.  The other side of the fence is owned by a farmer. This farm is privately owned, and they do not allow trespassers to my knowledge.  Although in part 2 I will be showing you a farm that does allow public access.

Hover is a park that used to be the town of Hover that suffered the same fate as Aisnworth.  (See “Ainsoworth”). In fact, if you look straight across the river, you wil be looking at the Ainsowrth townsite. There is not much left of the city though, just a few small foundations.  The park is a field of cheat grass, and wild wheat and rye.  The roads are also unmaintained, and dip and dive.  So bring the truck.  It’s nothing 4 wheel drive can’t handle though. There are places to explore, and trails to walk in a beautiful riverside landscape.  Also bring a fishing pole, because there are all sorts of good spots to fish.

All of the roads are open to public access out there, but there are some that have trees covering them, so be careful.  Also over on the southeast side of the park on the other side of the tracks are several roads that kind of wind around and don’t really go anywhere.  Bring the Jeep for this one.  And be ready to lock it in 4 wheel drive.  Some of the roads are pretty hairy.  But they make for good off-roading.  There are some that lead to the other side of a fence.  Do not go beyond the fence, it’s private property.

When you’re out there, you will see where people have come and dumped things in holes and everywhere else.  Don’t sink to their level and add to the the garbage.  Go to the dump and get rid of your garbage there.

If you wanna place to go to see some amazing views of the river, and see something new, Hover is the place to go.  It’s great if you wanna go fishing and hiking.  You may find though that the park is a popular place to be.  But for good reason.  It’s beautiful there.

Geocache’s Near


 
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Posted in 4WD, Geocache, Kennewick, Townsite

 

Ainsworth Townsite

02 Nov

The Columbia River holds many stories of the past.  If it could talk it would have a lot to say.  This particular story is about the demise of an entire city.  Ainsworth is it’s name, and it’s located outside of Burbank along the river edge.  The abandoned townsite lay hidden to the highway by over-grown trees.  The site sits in the fish and wildlife reserve off of Highway 12.  You can get to it by taking the road that heads toward the river at the intersection just before the Boise Cascade paper plant.

You will have to cross an unmarked train crossing.  BE CAREFUL! This is still in use.  If you see a train on the track do not try to beat it to the crossing because it’s moving faster than you think and it’s not going to stop for you.  Trains can take up to a mile to completely stop and can weigh thousands of tons.  It’s just best to wait for the train to go by rather than risking getting hit because you don’t know just how fast it’s moving.

Once you’re across the tracks you will come to an intersection.  Take that left and you will end up at the beginning of the townsite.  Once there you will find a few foundations and an abandoned building.  Most of the roads you will be on are the original roads from the town.   If you look closely you can see the pavement and even the curb of the old street.

Be careful where you drive because the river is right there and without knowing it, you could walk right into the river.  Also there is a spot that looks like you could drive out into the river in a truck a little ways.  Don’t try it.  You will only get stuck.  That is very thick mud.

Ainsworth sits forgotten by changing times in a picturesque landscape along the river and offers some incredible views of the river.  Sunsets happen to make this place look even more beautiful.  Various forms of wildlife can be found there.  Everything ranging from deer to geese, to all of the other river-side creatures that roam the columbia.  Of course with wildlife comes a danger of having an unpleasant encounter with an unfriendly animal, so be aware.  Being next to the river there will be beavers, otters, skunks, porcupines, and other critters.

But the wildlife isn’t the only thing to see there.  Once you get to the townsite you are taken back to a time when this was a thriving city.  The foundations belong to the former post office and stores that were there.  The abandoned building is the old school house.  It was originally 2 stories, but all that remains is the basement.  The rest of the school was taken down.  What’s left are the walls that were there at one point without any form of roof other than the trees growing above it.

Read the rest of this entry »


 
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Posted in Geocache, Pasco, Townsite

 

Columbia River Rd. W/Old Ringold Rd.

25 Oct

Most of you may be familiar with Taylor Flats Rd. in north Pasco. About 11 miles out of Pasco take a left off of Taylor Flats and onto Fir Rd. Continue west on Fir until you reach a winery, its confusing once you reach the winery however Fir actually follows around it on the left. Once you have passed the winery the road will continue west towards the river. At the bottom of the hill on the right is a small dirt road the follows west parallel to the Columbia, this is Columbia River Rd. W. Continue north just a short distance and the road becomes very narrow, on your right will be a very sharp basalt rock wall and on the left the road is eroding into the river. The road is deep river rock and I would not suggest driving here without 4WD or in the rain. Try to keep a bit of motion and stay as close to the wall as you can due to the lack of space on the river side. When exploring this trail I stopped about a mile along because the road started to tilt very sharply towards the river and I was nervous about sliding in, so please be careful. I advise you take this drive during the day. Anything east of this road is all private property and is posted as such, once again we do not condone trespassing without permission. This road can be dangerous to those who don’t have much experience so please don’t be stupid, if you feel that you cannot continue safely then turn around.


 
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Posted in 4WD, Eltopia

 

Trail off 397

16 Oct

On the north side of highway 397, also known as the Finley Highway, is a very short trail that eventually links back up to 397. Its a fun, short and mild trail but I wouldn’t suggest any vehicles close to the ground as the trail isn’t paved with gravel and is mostly very soft dirt or sand, in some places it may help to have 4WD. Because the trail isn’t a registered road and is probably on private property you’ll have to look at the map below. Once you get onto the trail follow to the right. If you follow to the left side of the Y then read the map below very closely because there are farm homes you may run into. We do not condone trespassing and most farmers do not fire warning shots. So if you do end up trespassing don’t be surprised if your shot at.
Geocache in this area.


 
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Posted in 4WD, Geocache, Kennewick/395

 

S. Clodfelter Rd.

16 Oct

For those who live in Kennewick you should be familiar with Clodfelter Rd. Starting at 10th in Kennewick, it runs parallel to Badger Rd. then eventually connects with Plymouth Rd. It also serves as a quick route to Baby Graves. Just take Clodfelter SW then take a right on Plymouth where Clodfelter ends, then turn right onto travis. That aside, the south end of Clodfelter is a nice country drive and has a great view once you get to the top of the ridge. Also the entire road is paved, so bring the Corvette. The map marks the best viewpoint.
Geocache in this area.


 
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Posted in Geocache, Kennewick, Nice View, Paved Roads

 

Baby Graves

15 Oct

If your from the Tri-City area then you have either heard of or been to Baby Graves. Baby Graves is a very small and very old cemetery just outside of Kiona. The graves were made in the early 20th century when the influenza virus plagued the farmlands of the Benton County region. It’s main targets were children under the age of 5 and thats very apparent when you read the dates on the few stones. There are many rumors that the place is haunted, I’ve been out there many times and never had any haunted experiences. What I do know is that the land owner, a local wheat farmer that lives on the property, isn’t too keen on visitors. Thats why he recently made some very elegant improvements to the cemetery. The cemetery used to be quite run down and was surrounded by an old wooden fence, it had a very creepy and scary feel. However now its surrounded by a very classy chain and iron fence, probably to make it feel less creepy and end the reason the high school students go out in the first place. The farmer is rumored to come out and chase down unwanted trespassers with a shotgun, once again I’ve never had that happen to me. If you do go, be respectful, its not your property.


 
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Posted in Haunted, Kiona/Benton City

 

Windmills via 9 Canyon Rd.

15 Oct

Just off 397 theres a road called 9 Canyon that gets pretty close to the windmills. At the ridge of the hill the road keeps going and turns into a gravel farm road. Remember that you may run into private property, tread lightly especially at night.


 
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Posted in Kennewick/395, Nice View, Paved Roads

 

Windmills/Jump off Joe via Owens Rd.

15 Oct

Also know as Jump off Joe, if you live in the Tri-Cities and you haven’t been to the windmills this is a must see. Accessing the windmills is very easy, access to them is on all public roads so you wont get in any trouble. Just don’t get too close to them because they are on private property. Also its a very beautiful view point day or night once you get to the top. Also Jump off Joe Rd. eventually connects with 9 Canyon Rd. and is a very nice trek over the mountain. If your looking for a good place for target practice or just to sight in a new scope, Owens road serves as a good bullet catcher, but tread lightly and make sure to leave with all the garbage you came in with. Remember that if you are not on the county road then you may be on private property.


 
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Posted in Hunting/Target Practice, Kennewick/395, Nice View