Mt. Rainier Rd Trip "Taste of Mt. Rainier" Official Thread

Yep, there are two listed gas stations in Marblemount, a Shell and a Chevron. Both have telephone numbers.

Having ridden the North Cascades from one end to the other, several times and the route from Concrete to Winthop many times, IMO, that leg is not one to make any assumptions about. Much of area on both sides of an otherwise great stretch or road include wilderness areas and two 5,000+ ft passes.

My advice is to check the WSDOT website for thier up to date "shit happens" page. Can't help ya much on the "staters" other than they will be around on a Saturday.

M'self I would be coming from Arlington and Darrington. Gas in both towns. Just for grins you guys may want to check prices. Typically those "last gas" outfits have the public by the shorthairs.

Can't join you guys. Many thanks for asking. Due in for some rotator cuff whacking and stitching in a week.

 

I just got back form a great ride doing Stevens, Blewett and Snoqualmie Passes. One of the guys I was riding with just tried doing a ride to Mt Rainier and he said that it is closed all around because of snow and that they won't be opening the roads up until August. So I would suggest that you check the route to and around Rainier before going. It looks like even if they do open the roads that I will not be able to make this trip. I will have to join you on the next ride. Heck I might even be willing to ride up North.
Good Luck.
Ken

 

Stevens, Blewitt and Snoqualmie aka "The Three Pass Blast." Where on I-90 at 90 you get passed by semis..

Rainier is funny. It's Federal and the feds are not quite up to fixing roads as the State of Washington. Sunrise does not usually open until late June and as late as mid July.

Again, best bet is to check WSDOT for current conditions. Also prepare ahead for rapid weather and temp changes in the park. Yakima can be 110F and in the park even in July there can be snowpack of ten feet. Nippy..

Also in the park, the Park Rangers who are regulars are so busy with tourists who insist that the bears all talk like Smokey are really cute and friendly, that fill ins are hired for the Summer to hand out tickets. Usually they are students studying forestry and tend to get a little overzealous about things like two miles over the limit. The bust is Federal and the Court is Federal with a whole new set of laws, regs,types of subpoenas and rules of evidence.

Fines are less than state or municipal fines but the big trick if you get nailed is to take it to court. (Tacoma) One of two things will happen. This is Federal Court and the Judges are sitting for things like 87 zillion bucks worth of heroin coming in or counterfeit plates so traffic tix are not on thier list of serious crime. By copping, the fine is reduced usually to half. The other thing is that these replacement summer help Park Rangers are usually at school by trial time. The GubbaMint is not going to fly some grad student who is in school in Groundhog, Wisconsin to Tacoma, WA for a fifty buck ticket. If the dude is a no show, you walk. Can't cross examine a piece of paper. Last but not least if the guy happens to show, unlike State and Municipal Courts, and the case is built on radar and laser "evidence", in Fed Court a subpoena for the actual instrument, calibration records and sometime even a tech guy it's not necessary, it's built in, and ya walk. If the machine is out of whack and is not proven to be calibrated then "proof" just ain't there.

Most of this probably doesn't apply to those guys who have VFRs that peg the speedo. Mine pegs at 175..LOL. No way Jose'.

 

I don't speed.

 

My bike automatically detects the speed limit and auto governs the fuel delivery to keep me at the limit. Was an option that only came with the abs model.

 

either do I... but just in case i hope you guys bail me out if i end up in cell in Omak

 

I'm hiring badbilly to represent me in court...sounds like you have some experience at this, my friend :wink:

 

I'm hiring badbilly to represent me in court...sounds like you have some experience at this, my friend

My wife's the lawyer, not me. These days with all the point systems, insurance requirements (Washington has none) databases ect, if one is not up to snuff in court with some basic stuff they are going to nail you. For self representation, I suggest one one of the books by NOLO Press on how to beat traffic citations. No need to buy the books either. Most large library systems have copies and interlibrary loans are easily arranged by local libraries.

The throttle stuck open BTW is viewed in court as a good a defense as telling your highschool English teacher that the dog ate your homework.

If the citation is serious and you really need a pro lawyer. Do a Google on lawyers-Washington-Mucklestone. This is a brother/sister team. I know the sister and in court she has a win rate of about 98%. She is on retainer with MS and specializes in traffic citations.

I never speed either but sometimes that darn throttle sticks.

:biggrin:

 

I wish I logged in sooner and saw this. I just made plans last night to head to Oregon that weekend. I picked up a 06 pearl white this afternoon and would love to have stretched my legs on this trip.

 

Lots of other places to stay besides Leavenworth.The Washington town that is. Leavenworth, Kansas is free but you can't take your bike.

Leavenworth is an old railroad town that was on it's last legs until somebody had the bright idea to turn it into an Oompah-pah und lederhosen und sausage und kraut sort of faux Disneyland in the mountains sort of place. It's loaded with tourists in Summer so the big motel chains have you at thier mercy pricewise. Not a good place to park a loaded up with stuff bike and lets go get some turkey weinerschitzel either.

My advice: Keep on truckin until you hit another smaller town. Unless y'all are in the market for cuckoo clocks made in China and Churmin Budvieser Licht.

 

Guys, it might be too late. These guys are great and are really great hosts.

Timberline Motel and Motorsports_home page

 

Good Stuff! I think I would have some prearranged and polite decline speech ready just in case some harleydood wants to share a Queen bed or do the wedding vow thing.

 

You guys crack me up.:smile: Thanks for all the advise

Leavenworth sounds pretty cheesy! Excellent, my kind of place.

Like Vegas, I prefer the Imperial Palace and O'Shea's over Bellagio and the Venetian. All that marble (and $10 beers) don't make me feel at home.

 

Beware of harleydoods who want to share racks especially queens. I would also advise reading the marriage vow thing they are offering very carefully. I know it gets lonely out there on the road.

Leavenworth is to Germany like Velveeta is to Limburger.

 

Here's what our weather shows for the date range, should be close to the same for the trip I would think.



:fingerscrossed: emoticon here.

 

Mark I just added you to the list. Hope ya get her soon enough. Will be a great trip.

 

Speaking of which, I was just previewing my pix from San Frasisco. I think this guy likes me:

 

The giveaway on the harleydoods is either a liscenseplate frame or a Tshirt with "Don't ask, don't tell" printed on it.


Familiar with the "Border Riders" MC? A good reason IMO to be extra careful on 20..

Then ya got a MC in Chicago for gay men where you have to show proof you have a HD to join. Sexist Pigs is raised to a whole new level with those guys.

 

Is this still a go?
Does marblemount at 10:30 sound about right for a meeting place?

 

It's a go!! Today was deadline to cancel Hotels. Worst forecast is 30% p.o.p. around Winthrop Sat.

10:30 Sat. Marblemount is the meet up, supposed to be abt. 8 of us at that point.

See ya there phildo!