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Shooting pits off highway 410

Metalhead47

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2009
Messages
2,800
Location
South Whidbey, Washington, USA
My wife is doing the Heart Walk in downtown Seattle this Saturday, then we're planning on going out for a little shooting. Then I hit on the idea of checking out Surplus Ammo down Tacoma-way (since we'd be halfway there anyway), then heading out on highway 410 over Chinook & Cayuse passes to catch the first snow of the season and looping back on I-90.

I'm not real familiar with the area, been a long time since I made that drive. Does anyone KNOW any decent gravel pits, etc, for shooting out along that way? As in, directions or GPS ##'s? Since the object of the day IS shooting and not snow chasing, I'd feel a little better about exploring if I actually knew where we could find something, as opposed to running random forest roads.
 

EMNofSeattle

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2012
Messages
3,670
Location
S. Kitsap, Washington state
My wife is doing the Heart Walk in downtown Seattle this Saturday, then we're planning on going out for a little shooting. Then I hit on the idea of checking out Surplus Ammo down Tacoma-way (since we'd be halfway there anyway), then heading out on highway 410 over Chinook & Cayuse passes to catch the first snow of the season and looping back on I-90.

I'm not real familiar with the area, been a long time since I made that drive. Does anyone KNOW any decent gravel pits, etc, for shooting out along that way? As in, directions or GPS ##'s? Since the object of the day IS shooting and not snow chasing, I'd feel a little better about exploring if I actually knew where we could find something, as opposed to running random forest roads.

Embark on a full tank of gas, get fueled up in Puyallup or Tacoma once you enter the pass it's about 50 miles to the next gas station and they're extremely expensive.

It should take about 2 hours or so if you can make the speed limit. Most of Chinook pass is within Mount Ranier National Park, shooting off of the majority of the highway would be a no-no About 30 miles west of Yakima the park becomes Snoqualmie National Forest, shooting is OK there, but I'm not sure of specific areas, however there are plenty of forest service roads that leave the highway.

10-15 west of Yakima there's scattered houses and farms along the route, also last year when I did that drive most of 410 west of Yakima was closed and traffic was redirected to a low speed county road on the other side of a river from the highway, definitely no shooting there, little houses everywhere.

I'd PM BigDave, he lives in the area. it's a scenic drive, just make sure you're ready for it, this time last year it was literally a torrential downpour through the pass, I was making about 35mph when the limit was 50 just because I couldn't see that far ahead so be careful. but yes it is a scenic run, you may or may not see snow, October 22 was when I did it last year.
 

Metalhead47

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2009
Messages
2,800
Location
South Whidbey, Washington, USA
Ok I see there's one called Greenwater shooting pit but some googling says "shootability" is kinda sketchy. Was hoping someone would have some more current insight than an interwebz list.

EMN: yes, I tend to travel ridiculously prepared :D. Didn't think there was any gas at all at those passes. Probably been 15 years since I've been out that way.


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Tacitus42

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Joined
Apr 24, 2011
Messages
186
Location
Tacoma,Wa
Metalhead, was there a couple a weeks ago. Brought the kids, fun was had by all. You can stop at the Greenwater Store for your National Forest Pass if you dont already have one. I got a 1 day pass there.
About 1 mile up 70 there a place to shoot off to the right, it is posted , cant miss it. Ranges up to 100 yard. Left after a couple hours after yahoo next to us was pointing his rifle at us while fidgeting with it. I believe there is more places up the road, havent had a reason to look.
 

SpyderTattoo

Regular Member
Joined
May 22, 2008
Messages
1,015
Location
Kent, Washington, USA
Yep, the Greenwater area is where I do all my camping. If you're in Greenwater, go east on 410, when you pass the fire station, which is on your left, go about another 1/2 mile to the first road that you see. This is FS 70. Just follow the pavement a couple miles in and you will see the gravel pit. It's a pretty good place to shoot. Lots of people go there.
 

deanf

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Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
1,789
Location
N47º 12’ x W122º 10’
. . . for your National Forest Pass if you dont already have one.


You don't need a pass!

Those passes are for trailheads and other developed recreation sites with a minimum of 7 amenities, including: toilet, garbage service, picnic table, security patrols, interpretive display, and 2 other requirements I can't remember.

The Forest Service seems to be trying to make people think you need a forest pass to even set tire or foot in the forest. That's not what the law says!

None of the pits off SR-410 have any of the amenities I listed, therefore, they do not require a permit, and no permit is required for general forest access.
 

Tacitus42

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2011
Messages
186
Location
Tacoma,Wa
You don't need a pass!

Those passes are for trailheads and other developed recreation sites with a minimum of 7 amenities, including: toilet, garbage service, picnic table, security patrols, interpretive display, and 2 other requirements I can't remember.

The Forest Service seems to be trying to make people think you need a forest pass to even set tire or foot in the forest. That's not what the law says!

None of the pits off SR-410 have any of the amenities I listed, therefore, they do not require a permit, and no permit is required for general forest access.[/COLOR]

Thanks , Noted
 

massivedesign

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
865
Location
Olympia, Washington, USA
You don't need a pass!

Those passes are for trailheads and other developed recreation sites with a minimum of 7 amenities, including: toilet, garbage service, picnic table, security patrols, interpretive display, and 2 other requirements I can't remember.

The Forest Service seems to be trying to make people think you need a forest pass to even set tire or foot in the forest. That's not what the law says!

None of the pits off SR-410 have any of the amenities I listed, therefore, they do not require a permit, and no permit is required for general forest access.[/COLOR]

Cite? Because ALL of Capitol Forest has signage. Including the shooting pit that doesn't have any of those amenities.
 

deanf

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Feb 25, 2007
Messages
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Location
N47º 12’ x W122º 10’
Objection: irrelevant. Capitol Forest is State Trust timber lands. Everything off
SR-410 is either private and gated, or U.S. Forest Service land (federal). Federal permits or passes and State permits and passes are separate and different.

I will cite the federal Forest Service fee program later from my laptop.
 
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MAC702

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
6,331
Location
Nevada
... heading out on highway 410 over Chinook & Cayuse passes ... Does anyone KNOW any decent gravel pits, etc, for shooting out along that way? ....

You just brought back some of my fondest childhood memories. Corliss Redi-Mix is a gravel pit on Hwy 410 between Enumclaw and Mt. Ranier. I spent my summers living there, as my grandparents were living on the property when they were alive. They were friends with the Corliss family and worked at the pit. My grandfather operated a Cat 980 loader in that pit until he was 86 years old.

Needless to say I practically grew up shooting in that gravel pit. But it wasn't open to the public to do so! Sorry, pal.
 

gogodawgs

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Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
5,669
Location
Federal Way, Washington, USA
Cite? Because ALL of Capitol Forest has signage. Including the shooting pit that doesn't have any of those amenities.

Objection: irrelevant. Capitol Forest is State Trust timber lands. Everything off
SR-410 is either private and gated, or U.S. Forest Service land (federal). Federal permits or passes and State permits and passes are separate and different.

I will cite the federal Forest Service fee program later from my laptop.

Correct, the difference between state and federal land.
 

deanf

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Feb 25, 2007
Messages
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Location
N47º 12’ x W122º 10’
Here is the cite for the federal fee program, commonly called the Northwest Forest Pass in these parts:

From TITLE VIII--FEDERAL LANDS RECREATION ENHANCEMENT ACT AKA: 16 U.S.C. 6802

(f) Standard Amenity Recreation Fee.--Except as limited by subsection (d), the Secretary may charge a standard amenity recreation fee for Federal recreational lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, or the Forest Service, but only at the following: (1) A National Conservation Area.
(2) A National Volcanic Monument.
(3) A destination visitor or interpretive center that provides a broad range of interpretive services, programs, and media.
(4) An area--
(A) that provides significant opportunities for outdoor recreation;
(B) that has substantial Federal investments;
(C) where fees can be efficiently collected; and
(D) that contains all of the following amenities:
(i) Designated developed parking.
(ii) A permanent toilet facility.
(iii) A permanent trash receptacle.
(iv) Interpretive sign, exhibit, or kiosk.
(v) Picnic tables.
(vi) Security services.
 
Last edited:

Metalhead47

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Apr 20, 2009
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Location
South Whidbey, Washington, USA
You just brought back some of my fondest childhood memories. Corliss Redi-Mix is a gravel pit on Hwy 410 between Enumclaw and Mt. Ranier. I spent my summers living there, as my grandparents were living on the property when they were alive. They were friends with the Corliss family and worked at the pit. My grandfather operated a Cat 980 loader in that pit until he was 86 years old.

Needless to say I practically grew up shooting in that gravel pit. But it wasn't open to the public to do so! Sorry, pal.

Is that the pit we're talking about here? If not, is it open? Sounds like at this one you can't actually drive out into the pit, which is a bit inconvenient when you've brought a small arsenal to shoot with.


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MAC702

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Jul 31, 2011
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Location
Nevada
The pit I'm referring to is NOT open; it is private property, leased from Weyerhaeuser. I just had to share...
 

amzbrady

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
3,521
Location
Marysville, Washington, USA
My wife is doing the Heart Walk in downtown Seattle this Saturday, then we're planning on going out for a little shooting. Then I hit on the idea of checking out Surplus Ammo down Tacoma-way (since we'd be halfway there anyway), then heading out on highway 410 over Chinook & Cayuse passes to catch the first snow of the season and looping back on I-90.

I'm not real familiar with the area, been a long time since I made that drive. Does anyone KNOW any decent gravel pits, etc, for shooting out along that way? As in, directions or GPS ##'s? Since the object of the day IS shooting and not snow chasing, I'd feel a little better about exploring if I actually knew where we could find something, as opposed to running random forest roads.



I dont see any gravel pits marked on the map, only private businesses that charge to shoot on their range. I am also looking for any free places around Marysville to go shoot. I did not see anything on the link for this area either. Maybe I am missing something on the page or am not clicking the link correctly. I am not really sure of the Tulalip boundries out here, so I am not sure at times when I am OC if I am on a res or not. I kinda wondered about the Wal-mart because they have Tulalip police there at times and are so close to the casino.

Correction I did see one, that is closed, DNR land. Kind of a handy map for gun stores, there is one on there I didnt know is out here.
 
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SigGuy23

Activist Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2011
Messages
323
Location
Freeland, WA
I dont see any gravel pits marked on the map, only private businesses that charge to shoot on their range. I am also looking for any free places around Marysville to go shoot. I did not see anything on the link for this area either. Maybe I am missing something on the page or am not clicking the link correctly. I am not really sure of the Tulalip boundries out here, so I am not sure at times when I am OC if I am on a res or not. I kinda wondered about the Wal-mart because they have Tulalip police there at times and are so close to the casino.

Correction I did see one, that is closed, DNR land. Kind of a handy map for gun stores, there is one on there I didnt know is out here.

When I lived in Marysville, FMJ 911 and I went shooting at Duvall, Darrington, or Sedro Wolley. That's about as close as they get in that erea. Duvall is usually gated off and hard to get to though. Darrington and Sedro are nice pits and you can drive your vehicle into them. Only downside is all the damn trash from dumpers. We usually burn all the wood and take a few bags of trash with us whenever we go.
 

massivedesign

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
865
Location
Olympia, Washington, USA
I dont see any gravel pits marked on the map, only private businesses that charge to shoot on their range. I am also looking for any free places around Marysville to go shoot. I did not see anything on the link for this area either. Maybe I am missing something on the page or am not clicking the link correctly.


Well it's my map, so who best to answer eh? I gathered all the data on shooting spots by the powers of Google, other Forums as well as word of mouth. "Honey Holes", i.e. cool little forested shooting areas, are not always shared. There are tons located down south because I live down there, so as I find areas while venturing Capitol Forest, I post em up. If people know of a shooting pit, ON PUBLIC LAND, then please send me the GPS Coords and a basic description of the area (backstop, distance, trashy, etc) and I will put it on the map.
 
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