North Cascades Hwy

Sunday Linda and I planned to go golfing. Sunday's plans changed about 8:30am on Sunday.  Her arthritis  was acting up and she was not up to golfing leaving my day open.  So I decide to head to the North Cascades Hwy and do a loop ride to eastern Washington and home.

Here is my route:


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Leaving home I stopped  nearby to gas up.  I reset the trip information in the GPS.  It was about 9:30am.  It was the last time I would get off the bike until returning home.  I wasn't in a photo taking mood today.  This was ride mode day; just wanted to go out and enjoy the ride.

An what a ride.  Ah the North Cascades Highway.  Only if all roads could be something like this.  Going West to East the road starts off with a warm up out of Marblemount.  Good tight twisties, the best ones, are right out of Newhalem, then let up a bit near Diablo and start up in earnest again to the Diablo Lake Overlook.  There are a couple more tight turns after the Overlook, especially the decreasing radius turn at John Pierce Falls.  This is the older second of road, pre 1968 and it shows in the tightness of turns and construction standards - yet the pavement is very good.

After the Ross Dam trail head parking lot there is a series of very nice sweeping turns for 10 miles or more.  Just turn after turn after wonderful turn.  As you approach Rainy and Washington Passes the turns give way, just a bit, to wonderful alpine mountain scenery.

North Cascades Hwy coming into Newhalem

North Cascades Hwy in Newhalem.  Do not speed here!

Seattle City Light locomotive along the North Cascades Hwy in Newhalem.  I shot this with  a  Canon  S95 while on the go.  Not bad for 30mph, eh?

Diablo Lake from the Diablo Lake Overlook.  I shot this photo in 2003.

After the Diablo Lake Overlook the road has about 10 miles of sweepers like this one.  Perfect.  I shot this photo in May 2007 and this is west bound.

After the sweepers you approach Rainy Pass.  This is a photo of the west bound view at Rainy Pass.

After Rainy Pass you drive by this stunning formation.  It is always changing with the season.  I shot this in Oct 2012 on the go.

Same mountain peaks, same location.  I shot this in July 2007

This photos is along the way to Washington Pass and the Big Loop

Washington Pass Summit and the descent.

Descending from Washington Pass Summit - photo taken on the go.

Descending from Washington Pass Summit - photo taken on the go October 7, 2012.  You can see the Big Loop

Descending from Washington Pass Summit - photo taken on the go October 7, 2012.  You can see the Big Loop

After the Big Loop, looking east.  The Washington Pass Overlook is on the cliff, just above the road and trees on the left.

Of course the Big Loop looks different with the seasons.  I shot this photo in May 2007.

From the Big Loop the road goes down to Early Winter and on to Winthrop, Washington.  Winthrop is a western themed town where you can enjoy many outdoor activities and concerts.  Fishing, cross country skiing and mountain biking are very popular.  If you get over this way it is fun to have lunch Sun Mountain Lodge.

I stopped in Twisp to get gas with about 230 miles since the last fuel stop.  I did not get off the bike.  I road along Hwy 153 to the Columbia River and headed south to Wenatchee.

The Columbia River with smoky skies from forest fires in the mountains to the east.  Shot this on the go.

The Columbia River with smoky skies from forest fires in the mountains to the east.  Shot this on the go.

On US Highway 2 on the bridge over the Columbia River just north of Wenatchee which is completely obscured by smoke.

I was smoky all along the river and beyond to Blewett Pass where it cleared a bit.  I felt bad for the people who live here as it has been this way for weeks.  The fires will continue to burn until they get a significant rain or snow fall.

I went over Blewett Pass and took I-90 home.  Upon arriving at home I got my GPS stats.

I road 436.2 miles.

My overall average speed was 60.1mph.  My moving average speed was 61.1 mph.
With a max speed of 558 mph the Gen II  FJR is certain faster than the Gen I.

Total ride time was 7 hour 15 min.  Moving time 7 hours 8 min and stop time was 6 min and 58 secs.

The End

4 Volcanoes Day 3

On day two photography of Mt Hood was difficult because I was shooting into the sun.  Morning would be the best time so on day three I went back to roads rode yesterday to get the shots.

Mt. Hood mounting my FJR.  This is a high dynamic range image

Mt Hood

Mt Hood near Parkdale Oregon 

Mt Hood with the FJR near Parkdale Oregon

Mt Hood along the Columbia River, shot from the Washington side.  Hood River is in the background.

Barge along the Columbia River with smoke from the White Salmon fire. Trees in the foreground and the smoke in the background created some interest for this photo.

Barge along the Columbia River with smoke from the White Salmon fire.  Like this photo because the barge is no longer obstructed by the tree but lacks the interest.

There was three choices for the route home.  The freeway, Hwy 97 or the way I came on day one.  Easy choice so back up Wind River Hwy.  After taking the photo above I found the Cook-Underwood Road a road not rode.  Nice diversion from Hwy 14. 

Cook Underwood Map

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After riding the last road not rode on this trip it was back to the Wind River Hwy.  Arriving at the best part of the highway along the Wind River Highway my Ipod decides to play the perfect music, Moaning by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.  Simply awesome - I could not have scripted it better.  On top of it I was riding very well, dropping into the turns at the right time with little adjustment, not early, not late, just perfect along with a nice pace and posture.  

Wind River Highway and Moaning.......

Later arriving at another section of nice turns the Ipod, which is in random play mode, decides to cooperate again and play some Mile Davis.  Nice.

On Windy Ridge road I found a lot of cars.  I stop to shoot this photo in the blow down area.  You can see where the trees were stripped of their limbs in May 1980.  Also there is new growth here and in 10 to 20 years some of these views will be obscured by trees once again.

I decide to give up riding the last few mile along Windy Ridge.  Too much traffic today.
Along the pot holed FS 25 I bounce home, hitting a few more pot holes than I like.  The bright sunny day contributed to a high contrast riding in the shaded areas.  Sometimes I try and stand a bit as I hit these things and on one occasion I hit the pot hole so hard my foot rotates on the foot peg and my heel briefly touches the pavement.  Please fix this road.  The bumpy road ends about 2 mile north of Randle and the smile returns to my face.  It was nice trip on the FJR.

4 Volcanoes Day 2

Day Two.

It was Friday and the goal today was to ride more roads not rode often enough and ride a couple of roads never rode before.  Riding roads not ridden is an accomplishment since I have lived around here all my days and have been riding for more than 40 years.  The GPS got a good workout today.

Here is my route.


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Roads of not rode often today included BZ Corner to Glenwood Highway and the Glenwood to Goldendale road which follows the Klickitat Canyon.  Both roads are terrific.

Roads never rode before include the Dee Highway, Copper Spur Road, Marmot Road, SE Ten Eyek Road and the SE Bull Run Road, all in Oregon, around Mt. Hood.

A fire at White Salmon, Washington along Hwy 141, part of my route, caused a late start.   I made up an alternate route just in case but didn't need it.

With curiosity I was watching the smoke in the sky floating along the Columbia River generally moving to the southwest.  Odd as the wind in the Gorge usually moves from west to east.  The song Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple was on my mind.  You may find the story of Smoke on the Water on Wikipedia more interesting than the song. Soon I was on Hwy 141 heading north to BZ Corner, the sky was thick with smoke the speed limit reduce to 35mph.

Smoke ahead.

After a bit I see the fire had come to the roads edge, the road creating a fire break.  There was an election sign for state Land Commissioner.  This sign was in pristine condition yet the surrounding area was burnt black.  Amusing, no?

A little smoke with the twisties along Hwy 141

Soon the smoke clears I am north of the fire.  Mt. Adams comes into view a in few places on the way to BZ Corner.  Yes BZ Corner is a town in Washington.  Mt. Adams is volcano three.

Mt. Adams along Hwy 141

Perhaps you prefer green pastures with your mountain photo?

Hwy 141 and Mt. Adams

After BZ Corner the road is pleasantly twisty for 3 or 4 miles.  Just nice back and forth sweepers with good pavement.  I continue from from BZ Corner to Goldendale following the Klickitat River Canyon.  This area reminds me of Northern California with dry conditions and oak tress in a rugged setting.  This is a great ride, with peek a boo views of the canyon, then the road carves down to the river and climbs and twists back up for unobstructed view of the river and canyon.

Glenwood to Goldendale Hwy

My route joins with Washington State Highway 142 just south of Goldendale and heads south.  Along the way I shoot these photos.  Not bad for on the go.

Washington State Hwy 142

Washington State Hwy 142

Washington State Hwy 142

Winding down for a few miles the Hwy 142 soon follows the Klickitat River where fishermen in flat bottom boats create scenes from a Norman Rockwell gallery.  At Lyle the Klickitat River ends and I am once again along the Columbia River.  My route take me to Hood River on to the Historic Columbia River Hwy to the Rowena Loops.  This is a great road!  Often you see images on TV commercials or magazine adds with shots taken from the Historic Columbia River Highway.  The scenery and geology here is amazing.  During the last ice age the great Missoula floods scoured the Eastern Washington and the Gorge and created the fertile lands of the Willamette Valley.

Historic Columbia River Hwy on the way up to the Mayer State Park

Historic Columbia River Hwy on the way up to the Mayer State Park

Rowena Loops

View from the Rowena Loops- I took this photo in August 2009. 

View from the Rowena Loops

The Columbia River along the Historic Columbia River Hwy near Mosier, Oregon

Next I ride on to Parkdale, Oregon following roads with great views of Mt. Hood.  I tried to take some photos but facing the sun and Mt. Hood makes for crummy photographs.  It is 1:30, about 85 degrees, hot by Northwest standards, and I am hungry so I stop at Apple Valley BBQ for a pulled pork sandwich.  Yummie!

The ride continues along roads never rode.  I can highly recommend the entire of length of the Cooper Spur road as it winds up toward Mt. Hood.  The Cooper Spur road joins Hwy 35 where I run into a bit of construction while it is 90 degrees.  Argh!  Thankfully the wait was not long.  Views of Mt. Hood are less than ideal.  The southeast side is without snow or ice.  It looks bare and unappealing.  The camera stays in the bag.  

The route joins Hwy 26 where I make good time around the south side of Mt. Hood with views of the ski hill at Timberline.  All summer long Timberline is open for skiing and hosts the US Ski Team and ski camps for training.  The training hill looks like a postage stamp of of snow on the hill.  It is manicured every night and the ice/snow is usually hard as stone in the morning. I used to ski here a lot in the summer.  It was a blast.

I head west on Hwy 26 turning at Brightwood to follow the back roads to Marmot Road, SE Ten Eyek Road and the SE Bull Run Road.  All of these are interesting and heading west the view of Mt. Hood is behind me often obstructed by trees or ridges.  I am tired a leave the camera in the bag.  All of these are very nice road and provide a alternative to the busy and boring Hwy 26.

The plan is to re-join the scenic Columbia River Hwy and visit the Vista House at Crown Point, but a road sign says the route is closed the through traffic. I decide to call it a day and ride into Corbett, pickup the freeway and return to Stevenson Washington.

The End.

4 Volcanoes Day 1

I was considering a ride to South Dakota to see the sites but the moon and stars did not align.  Instead I spend 4 wonderful days with the wife on a get away to Kokanee Spring Golf Resort in BC.  A very low key, unpretentious and casual place.  It is a slice of heaven on earth.  We had a blast.

So with three days of free time I pondered my options and decided to ride to the Columbia River Gorge.  The goal was to ride roads not rode often enough, 250 miles per day, find road never road before and take some photos along the way.

Here is my route for day one.


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I planned on a 9:00am start time or so.  No hurries on this trip, no big mileage days, just a relaxing day on the FJR.  With the bike packed I was donned my helmet and went to get the sunglasses.  No sunglasses. Nuts.  They were in my car and my wife drive the car to work, 30 miles away.  I arrive at the car, open the door and no sunglasses.  This is when I remembered I had already put the sunglasses in my tank bag the night before.  The tank bag was on the motorcycle. Shuckin's and pashaw.

With sunglasses mounted on my nose I get gas in Enumclaw and head to the first road not rode often, Sunrise at Mt. Rainier.  It was a Thursday and the traffic was light and the riding fantastic.  With temps in the mid '60 and clear blue skies this could be a good day for photos.  And it was.

Sunrise Road near Inspiration Point Mt. Rainier.

Sunrise Road near Inspiration Point Mt. Rainier.

Back to Mather Memorial Parkway where clear skies where cooperating today.

Mt. Rainier along Mather Memorial Parkway.  This is the one everybody takes!  Rarely are the skies so clear.

Next up was a road road often, Chinook Pass.  The goal was to take some photos of the wild flowers at Tipsoo Lake.

Wild Flowers at Tipsoo Lake

Wild Flowers at Tipsoo Lake

Wild Flowers at Tipsoo Lake

Wild Flowers at Tipsoo Lake

Wild Flowers at Tipsoo Lake

I walked around the entire lake taking about 100 photos using my Canon XSi, with a Canon 28-135 lens along with graduated neutral density filters to avoid contrast blowout.  Very relaxing.

Next it was off to Windy Ridge on Mt. St. Helens to enjoy some fine twisties on FS 99.  Mission accomplished, except the last 4 miles of the road are closed until October 5, 2012.  Along the way on FS 25 I shot these photos.

Mt. Rainier from Hwy 25 just south of Randle

The photos of Mt. Rainier above was shot here.

FS 99 on the way to Windy Ridge. I shot this photo in August 2006.  There is much more vegetation now.

FS 99.  I shot this photo July 2007 and it my GPS on boot image.  The small sapplings along side of the road are no longer small and are reducing the sight lines, sticking out 2 feet into the road and are 6 feet high in places.  Go there soon to get the best this road has to offer.  

FS 99.  How about a volcano with your twisties?

The next road not rode often enough was Wind River Highway.  Here you will find six miles of sublime twisties.  If this road doesn't leave a silly grin on your face it is time to sell your bike.  The rest of it it is also a great road.

That is new paint on the road and the road surface is very nice.  Turn, turn, turn.

Wind River Hwy - The road goes on like this for six miles!

Wind River Hwy - The road goes on like this for six miles!

I finish the day by riding to Stevenson Washington where there is a Rodeway Inn and decent restaurants.

The End