Washington State VFR rally

So I was thinking, wouldn't it be cool to have a VFR trip to do the North Cascades/Steven's Pass loop when the weather warms up? Just thought I would throw that out there.

Anyone interested?

 

If I still lived in Seattle...That's a fun ride.

 

There were 2 99's from Vancouver in Winthrop this past Saturday, weather was excellent. The North Cascades highway is such a great road. Watch out for 3 big bumps coming north over the pass. They are past the big hairpin by 5+ miles in mid-corner, on the fast line, about a mile or 2 apart.

 

Thanks for the information. I will keep that in mind when I come that way. The mountain passes are getting good now. Did Chinook pass on Friday and it was beautiful. Cool, low 40's, but beautiful.

Ahhh, to hear a bunch of V4s going over North Cascades....

 

Best to check with pass conditions before starting out. Sometimes the North Cascades Highway (20) isn't open until July. Watch out for hidden LEOS from Concrete until ya hit the boonies. Staters are not all that frequent there but if you get nailed by the state patrol guys you must, on the spot request venue near your place of residence or they will schedule you court appearance as far from your digs as possible and other shit like dating your court appearance in the dead of winter when the pass is closed.. Ahh the joys of parallelism.

 

I live quite close nearby, so doing the North Cascades is a regular occurrence, and checking pass conditions here is a matter of survival. Seemed to me that the passes like Chinook and North Cascades were open a bit earlier than usual this year.

I have not come across to many cops up that far north. However, the point is not to speed, but to slow down and enjoy the view. Maybe I will pick a date and put it on here if anyone wants to do the Cascade Loop (North Cascades to Everett, then back over Stevens Pass to Leavenworth).

 

Winthrop has lightning.........

 

Yeah. I am not too happy. Taking off on a week long tour tomorrow. I have a feeling we will battle rain the whole time. No lightning here for now...

 

The bit about checking pass conditions was for anyone who might be considering riding any of the passes in late

Spring or early Summer. Daily reports on several websites.

As to cops, all it takes is one and there goes what it cost to do the ride in the first place. Speed is relative and not for me or thee to start lecturing. Just pointing out from many trips on 20 what to perhaps expect.

The WSP places LEOs on all the passes in summer save Summer Hires for traffic control (and tickets) in the parks (Rainier).
these citations go to Federal Court in Tacoma.

 

...and really good breakfasts at the Ducks Breath Café served by ski bunnies with great tits. A gas station too.

 

I'm planning on riding the North Cascades on August 4/5...thinking of dropping into the US from Osoyoos. I have only ridden the North Cascades once, and haven't ridden much in Washington. Any must see roads I should know about?

 

It would make sense for you to do the north cascades, loop back via Steven's pass, then back up. I can recommend some good ways to get back north from there.

The must sees in Washington would probably be White Pass (highway 12) or Chinook Pass (highway 410) near Mt. Rainer, if you are going to be that close. Seeing Mt. Rainer from your motorcycle saddle is priceless.

Canyon road from Ellensburg to Yakima bypasses the superslab and gives you a true textbook canyon carver road to get there. Fast sweepers, tight hairpins, beautiful views.

So many more good roads here in Washington. I could keep going...

 

Tumwater Canyon....