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