Every year my inlaw's rent a vacation property somewhere for a week for the entire family.  This week is the 3rd year in a row staying in Wapato Point, just north of Chelan (closer to Manson, actually). Father in law brings his boat, it's a good time.  I usually stay for a long weekend and then go back to Bellingham to work while Jen stays the entire week.

The first year staying there, Jen and I took the a route from Bellingham to Winthrop, then south thru the mountains on fs roads ultimately to fs 8200 which dumps out in Manson about 100 miles later.   Very cool.

Last year, my brother in law reintroduced me to riding off road motorcycles after a 35 yr break (I rode from age 7 to age 10).  I had so much fun, I ended up buying one and we ride together almost weekly.

This year we brought the dual sports again.  From the house at Wapato Point, it's about a 5 minute asphalt ride to fs 8200.  We rode Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for about 5-6 hrs a day, ending up in Pateros for lunch and refueling, then back across the mountains on a slightly different route.

On Sunday, my father in law drove up to see some of the vistas we were talking about.  His fullsize Chev 2500 4x4 suffered a side wall puncture on his stock Goodyear Wrangler.  J and I hopped off our bikes and between the three of us, he was back on his way in just over 5 minutes.

During three days of riding, we only saw one group of two quads, and a solo Grand Cherokee.

Bro in law J on his Husaberg 550

You guys do know that  I'm only 4 ft tall, right?

Lunch

Checking return route options

My bike had to stretch it's legs just a bit. http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/ee258/wannahuckmastinky/Gas%20Gas/?action=view¤t=MVI_2071.mp4

It was some good riding, had a great weekend.  Hope you enjoy the pics, even though it's only one wheel drive.

Yeah, we've had good times in Chelan.  My father in law built his own vacation home in Wapato Point in the late '80's.  Had he known they'd command $3-4k  per week these days, he would have hung onto it!  Obviously a pretty swanky place; J and I certainly got the full gammet of looks as we rode our enduros fully adorned in riding armor in and out of the neighborhood every day.

I brought my road bike and went out early in the morning for an hour long pedal up the Manson Loop.  Then eat a big breakfast, go for a 5-6 hour enduro ride, then throw the kayak in the lake for a cooling session of eskimo rolls and a bit of a piddle (not a typo!).  Unique and amazing views, great sunsets, nice evenings on the deck by the water.

Yes, there are numerous spots to camp between Winthrop and Manson, both campsites and back country. http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/ee258/wannahuckmastinky/Winthrop%20To%20Chelan%20July%202008/?start=0

Foggy Dew and Crater Crk campsites are decent as well as a few CGs off Twisp River rd. and there is a lot of informal creekside camping  off roads in that area .

We've done one nite informal creekside, one night w/ vista, and one night nestled in the woods.

Directly across the lake is where I play up in the mountains. My parents live on the south shore directly across from Manson/Wapato Point. The mountains on both sides are amazing and supply spectacular views. It's all Forest Service roads though, no 4W trails that I've found in the area.

Anthony, that side sure makes for some good sunsets and sunrises from Wapato.  Very picturesque.

One year while staying at Wapato Point we lucked out as Jerry Horn planned a trip with PNBA from Entiat to Chealn.  The timing was perfect and we were able to hook up with them and explore that side.

Good stuff over there to be sure.