Cross State Ride Details

Overview

This is a guide for new participants of the annual John Wayne ride. We hope it answers most of your questions and helps you prepare for your trip. The annual ride is special, both because it is long enough to feel like a wagon train and because it covers many different landscapes. You will ride through wheat fields, cattle ranches, basalt rockeries and forests. You will cross bridges and go through tunnels. You will have time to fall into the rhythm of the trail, meet others and enjoy the landscape “up close and personal.” You will meet many people who come back for this ride year after year, a testament to this unique experience.

The Trail

The Milwaukee railroad built the Chicago to Seattle line between 1906 and 1909. In 1915 it was electrified. The last train ran in 1972 and the route was abandoned in 1980. There was immediate controversy on how to use the right of way. Chic Hollenbeck, founder of the original JWPWR group, spearheaded the effort to convert the right of way to a trail.

Today, the route is administered by two different Washington State agencies. From Rattlesnake Lake (near North Bend) to the Columbia River (near Vantage) the trail is a state park. Some segments are inaccessible or restricted, such as the segment that crosses the Army training grounds near Vantage and the route through the city of Ellensburg.

From the Columbia river to Tekoa on the Washington/Idaho border, the trail is managed by the Department of Natural Resources. You must have permission to use parts of it and gates limit access to those with keys. Some segments are not accessible and local roads are used to bypass these gaps.

Because it is an old railroad bed, the trail is nearly flat. Bridges, fills, cuts, and tunnels maintain the gentle grade. In most places the surface is hard and finished with gravel.

Ride Organization

The popularity of the ride has grown over the years and there will be approximately 150 riders enrolled. Day by day the numbers will vary, as many people will not participate for the entire trip. The route is from west to east, beginning at Stampede Pass,  and ending in Tekoa.

A typical day involves breaking camp in the morning, driving rigs to the new campsite and returning by bus to your horse for the ride. It is organized to go as smoothly and swiftly as possible so that everyone has the longest possible time to ride.

A typical campsite is a grass field just large enough to park vehicles. Water is available for horses from a hose or trough. Generally there are no restaurants so you must do your own cooking. The club provides portable toilets on a trailer (nicknamed the Coyote) that is towed from camp to camp.

Most members travel in a truck mounted camper or a motor home. Some, however, will camp in their truck, sleep in their horse trailer or use a tent. All that is required is that you be able to maintain yourself and your horse.

The ride is organized by a committee of the John Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Riders Association.  All of the work is volunteer.  The only paid positions are the bus driver and the Honey bucket driver.

In Camp

You must be able to tie your horse to your horse trailer. Horses will have to stand tied ten to twelve hours at a time. Some campsites are too crowded to use corrals, electric fences or high lines.

You will need a manure fork and a bag or bucket to clean up manure and spilled hay. At some campsites you can just scatter the manure but at others you will need to pile it or transport it to a collection site.

Water is available at most campsites from a hose, trough, river or truck. At some campsites you may have to carry it.

The Ride provides portable toilets mounted on a trailer. It is parked in the campground and when possible it is parked along the ride route.

There are no shower facilities at any camps. If one is available at a nearby campground, school or fire station, it will be announced in the evening meeting.

On the Trail

As with any group ride, certain rules must be followed. The John Wayne trail is a State Park and State Park rules apply. It is also only twelve feet wide and it is important to stay on the trail, and off adjacent private property.

For both new and experienced riders, wagons cause the most problems with horses. You should introduce your horse to wagons and if in doubt dismount when meeting or being passed by a wagon. If you have a chance, follow a wagon and let your horse become accustomed to the noise.

Bridges, high and low, are common. They are wide and sturdy and the highest ones have side rails.

There are rattlesnakes on the east side of the state. They are shy and will not cause a problem unless provoked. Be alert when turning over rocks or boards or when walking through tall grass.

Preparing Your Horse

Because the trail is a railroad bed, there are no steep hills. While this may be easy riding, twenty miles of anything takes a toll on both horse and rider. The most common problems are saddle sores, hoof bruises and heat.

• Make sure that your equipment is familiar and broken in. This is not the time to try out a new saddle.

• There are no requirements for vaccinations. You may wish to give your horse tetanus and Eastern encephalitis, a condition found in some areas of eastern Washington.

• Footing will vary from sand to sharp stones. Horses must be shod. Most riders also pad their horses on all four feet, just for this trip.

• The combination of stress, exercise and heat will cause some horses to sweat profusely. They face not only dehydration but also salt loss. You should bring electrolytes.

• Since your horse must stand tied, you should bring a blanket to protect him from wet and cold weather.

Why this is a great trip.

You will be surprised at how many people come every year.  If you can do the whole two weeks you will discover that it really is like a wagon train.  You will meet the other "voyagers", share their stories, help each other out and have a chance to fall into a rhythm of the trail.  Ask any old timer why they keep coming back and they will all tell you something different.  Here are a few:

"I love the people, the camaraderie, the way everyone helps each other".

"I like to challenge myself and when I get home my horse is in great condition for the summer".

"I love the little towns on the Eastern side...the potlucks, the 4H dinners, the pie sales".

 "How many places can you ride with someone for 6 hours?  You really get a chance to talk!"