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By: Dave Helgeson
Places to Ride:
Walker Valley near Mt. Vernon, Washington
Staging Area
Nice Dual Track
Through the Forest
Logging Road for
Mom & The Kids
Easy Trail From
Staging Area
4x4 Trails Make
for Easy Riding |
Walker Valley offers something for every ORV
user group. Single track for bikes, dual track
for ATVs and 4x4 trails for those that wish to
play in bigger vehicles. There is also something
for every member of the ATVing family. Some of
the dual track is rated easiest for children and
beginners. The majority of the 4x4 trails are
pretty tame making them suitable routes for
beginner, intermediate riders and larger ATVs.
The forest service roads and 4x4 trails also
provide shorter and faster access to many of the
more remote dual tracks, allowing you to explore
all the area has to offer without having to back
track on the same trail. If you are looking for
a challenge, head up Pat’s Trail and be ready to
gain some elevation on a very rough trail.
Elevation in the riding area is between 500 ft.
and 3,000 ft.
I recommend that you take a compass on your
first visit. While the trails are fairly well
signed, junctions (especially with the roads)
are not. It can become difficult to determine
which end of the trail you are entering/exiting.
On a cloudy day with no visible landmarks or
orientation from the sun, knowing north from
south becomes very important.
Maximum vehicle width on designated ATV trails
is 48”. Wider vehicles, including UTVs, need to
stay on the 4x4 trails. The area is open year
around, weather permitting.
For the most updated trail map showing
designated single track, dual track and 4x4
trails, click on:
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/eng_ ...
2_full.pdf at the bottom right of the trail
map is a local map showing how to reach the
trail system.
Camping:
Self contained RVs are allowed to camp anywhere
along the Walker Valley Mainline. Tent campers
are required to camp in the staging area near
the outhouse.
Getting There:
Walker Valley ORV Area is located 7 miles SE of
Mt. Vernon off highway 9 in the Big Lake
neighborhood. The road to Walker Valley ORV Area
is well marked and easy to find. From I-5, take
exit 221. Go east on SR 534 for 5 miles and turn
left onto SR 9. Drive north for 6 miles
(milepost 46) and turn right onto Walker Valley
Road. Go 2 miles and turn right onto Peter Burns
Rd (a one-lane gravel road). After about 1 mile
you will see the parking area on your right.
Alternately you can take SR 538 (exit 227 from
I-5) from Mount Vernon to Hwy 9 and follow Hwy
9, 4 miles south to the Walker Valley Road.
Services:
Full services are available in the nearby towns
of Mt. Vernon, Burlington and Sedro Woolley,
Washington.
Rules and Regulations:
On DNR Land:
- Fires are only allowed in designated areas
- Pack
out garbage
- Do
not alter or remove vegetation
- Do
not ride in streams, muddy areas, wetlands or on
road
embankments
- ATVs
and motorcycles must be equipped with a USFS
approved
spark arrestor
- No
shooting and/or paint balling in DNR designated
recreation
sites
On DNR Forest Roads:
- Only
licensed drivers, street-legal OR valid ORV
tagged vehicles
are allowed
- Riders under 13 years of age must be under
direct supervision of
a person who has a valid driver’s license and is
at least 18 years
of age
- Helmets required for ATV and motorcycle riders
- Speed limit is 25 miles per hour
- Yield right of way to heavy equipment and
logging trucks
On DNR Trails:
- Ride
from dawn to dusk only
- Ride
only on designated trails
For Additional Information:
Washington Department of Natural Resources
919 N. Township St.
Sedro Woolley, WA 98284 (Regional Office)
Phone: 360-856-3500
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ContactDNR/Pages/Home.aspx
Be safe, enjoy, and I hope to see you on the
trails.
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