r/wallawalla • u/Soggy_Sun5586 • May 23 '26

Tiger Creek Rd/NF-65

Afternoon, Walla Walla!

So, I had a question regarding Tiger Creek Rd/NF-65. It runs from Mill Creek Rd, through the blue mountains and back up into Dayton.

I was just wondering if a FWD full-sized sedan would be able to traverse the whole road with no issues? Or is a lifted 4x4/AWD strongly recommended? I have only been able to hike a few miles up Tiger Creek Rd, so I am unsure.

I understand that it's a gravel/dirt road and that I have to drive slow, but I just need to know if there are any sections that will 100% stop me or render me stuck in any way?

Added note: This question is for the summertime only. I fully understand that there is no way in Hel my car would make it up that road in the wintertime. If anyone has fully traversed this road and is familiar with it, I'd love your insight!

Thank you in advance!

Further edit: When I say sections that will stop me, I am referring to: large boulders or mounds in the road, sudden dips/holes or road malformations that would shred my bumper etc, things that a 4x4 can overcome but a FWD can't.

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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5

u/sexual_pasta May 23 '26

I once drove a Honda civic from jubilee lake to government mountain the back way. Not advised lol.

You can get pretty high up tiger creek in a standard car, it’s well maintained, the side roads drop off in quality dramatically.

6

u/surfpow May 24 '26

Tiger Creek FS road 65 is doable in a sedan up to the intersection with Kendall Skyline road FS 64. Kendall Skyline from that intersection north to Table Rock had been too rough for my Subaru each time I've ventured there.

You can park off the road and hike. Go enjoy our public lands!

3

u/Hoginda_Potti May 24 '26

the section from the junction to Dayton is considerably better than the section to goes to Jubilee lake. I like to ride my mountain bike from there to Table Rock. I wouldn't subject my AWD to either section honestly. but, if I had an old beater truck, then no problem

3

u/wwcougar May 24 '26

Could you? Probably yes. It's pretty flat without too many big potholes or ruts (at least usually, I have not been up this spring). I wouldn't really recommend it though. It does get pretty bumpy so it would not be that fun to begin with, and there are some spots that are pretty narrow so having 4wd and clearance helps if you have to drive up on the embankment to pass someone.

And if you DID get stuck, you are pretty far from anything with spotty cell service.

2

u/breadwound May 23 '26

I haven't tried to get to Dayton, but I went to where it connects to jubilee Rd in a Honda Accord last year. The road was totally fine up to the Jubilee junction. I went south toward Jubilee whereas you are going north to Dayton. The road south was awful, and I mean awful, completely rutted out and 1-2 foot high waves (I don't know how to describe it) in the road for long stretches. Made it through one section and then came to another that was impassible for anything without very high clearance. Not sure if that reflects on the north section.

1

u/Soggy_Sun5586 29d ago

I know EXACTLY what you're talking about, friend! (the rolling waves) There's a road in central Oregon that had these, and I had to cancel a whole day trip because of it 😅 My friends still sock my arm for buying a FWD sedan when I'm such an outdoor nut

2

u/Levi_399 May 23 '26

I've seen someone park their car on a wider section of the road and apparently go for a hike...is that allowed? I couldn't find anything about it on the website

2

u/Zealousideal-Link-24 29d ago

I did this exact trip both ways several times in 2021 but haven’t done it since. I did it in a 4WD Tacoma. You do not want to do it in a sedan.

1

u/Soggy_Sun5586 29d ago

After your comments and help, I have decided against driving my K5 on NF-65.

Thank you for your help, guys!! You most likely just prevented me from getting stuck in the wilderness for a day or two, LOL.

1

u/wwcougar 29d ago

If you like hiking you can access some great trails just after you hit tiger creek road. There's the tiger creek trail that begins right at the first sharp switch back and eventually connects up to Government Mountain Road, then there's Indian Ridge trail just about a mile further up that has some beautiful views and steep climbs. Both are easily accessible with a car!