If there is a "most beautiful" category for rides in Washington State, surely the North Cascades Loop is a major contender. The loop encompasses Highway 2, Highway Alt. 97 (hwy 97), and Highway 20. If you've been on this ride before, find a great excuse to do it again. If you haven't, off we go!
Take as many days as you wish but to get the full blast out of this incredible ride, try to schedule three or four days. It's a good idea to highlight the route on your tank bag/trip map to make it easier to follow.
After "downtown" Snoqualmie, a short drive (a mile or so) on Highway 202, (at this point) will put you at the Falls, another view that is well worth seeing. If you haven't eaten yet, the restaurant at the falls is exquisite and is known for it's famous cuisine, (breakfasts around $8-$9, same for lunches, and dinners start at $20-up)
Once you're back on the bike, turn left onto 202 and you'll be heading toward Fall City, from there, a winding pat parallels the Snoqualmie River through Carnation and Duvall (great antinquing if you can find room on the bike), and joins with Highway 2, east-bound. You'll be back to freeway speed with a bit more traffic, but the ever-changing mountain scenery slipping smoothly by. Small towns are plenty, such as Sultan and Gold bar, an old mining town turned logging. Finding fuel and other needs shouldn't be a problem. Just keep an eye on the gauges.
By now you've noticed a climb that increases and decreases, but lugs the engine steadily. This is Stevens Pass, and at 4, 061 feet high it proves to be a very popular winter ski haven. Although not an incredible altitude, it's a lot of fun on a motorcycle, except for the occasional deer or elk that may wonder onto the road. Take note that there are numerous campgrounds close by, and the scenery seems to change from low-lands, to sub-alpine, to Easter Washington's farm lands as you go. Near the summit is Stevens Pass Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It includes the remains of construction sites and camps, tunnels, and snowsheds from the early 1900s.
As you descend Stevens Pass, you will eventually arrive at the town of Leavenworth (No-not the penitentiary), a town of color, fun, antiquities, and festivities with a very Bavarian atmosphere. In 1965, the towns folk joined together to "remodel" their town to look like Edelweiss, Germany. Here, all people are "Wilkommen" with great gusto and fare. Annual functions such as the Blue Grass Festival and Oktoberfest, invite you back year after year. Photos taken, foods devoured and gas tanks full, continue east on Highway 2 (watching for numerous fresh fruit and peppers stands). The highway soon blends with Highway 97 (to become 2 and 97), and continues through Cashemere, following the Wenatchee River. It's hard to ignore how drastic the terrain has changed as you travel since only a few miles have gone by. No longer the typical Cascade mountain appearance, but more prehistoric-like carved plateaus leave you wondering if you've just entered the Eastern Rockies, Mmmmmm-diversity at it's best. This road also brings us closer to Wenatchee-apple capitol of the World-wherein almost every variety of apples are grown, along with other fruits and nuts. Wenatchee is a great point in the ride to schedule meeting up with riders coming in from to east, etc, to continue the trip with you.
About 25 miles north of Wenatchee on Highway 97, Highway 2 splits east again. This is a good excuse to take a side trip (approximately 90 miles) to Dry Falls and Sun Lakes State Parks. This is a "must see" if you're in the area because there isn't another sight like it. Many moons ago the great Columbia River ran across this area.
The falls really are dry and span 3.5 miles wide and 400 feet top to bottom. A stop at the interpretive center is far from wasted-time, and offers a good display. The overlook is a bit scary, but it provides the best overall view. A return trip on Highway 2 westbound rejoins Highway 97, so it's hard to get lost unless you want to.
Back at Alt. 97, on the West Side of the Columbia River, turn northbound. It may be a little better to take Alt. 97, because, I've found, the road takes more curves and offers more protection from the winds. Following this route also runs directly into Chelan, a busy lake restore town. Lake Chelan is 52 squares miles in area, a feat for a lake that is 51 miles long.
If you wish to escape further, take some time to visit and stay at one of the several resorts on Lake Chelan. Or take a trip on the passenger ferry "Lady of the Lake". It will carry you north through breath-taking scenery to the end of the line at the unusual town to Stehekin-accessible only by ferry, private aircraft, or possibly dogsled in winter months.
Continuing north on alt 97, you will arrive in Pateros, a small town reminiscent of Arizona or New Mexico, as the Spanish influence is very notable. A northwest turn from Pateros onto Highway 153 will take you through the Methow Valley to Methow (pronounced Met-how), Carlton, and then to Twisp (now Hwy. 20). Onward through Twisp, and you are headed toward Winthrop, on of the first Norwest towns to combine mining and the Wild West frontier theme to increase tourism and bring money back into a dying town. Much of the town was reconstructed in the 1970s to look original "old west". A walk down plank sidewalks will take you back to the old days of yore. You might expect a desperado to pop out of the local saloon for a shoot out.
Once again in the saddle, we head westbound on Hwy. 20. Just four to six miles out of Twisp, watch for a small sign that reads "Mazama". A right turn there takes you to the Mazama General Store/Post Office and a "T" in the road. A left turn at the "T" and the road changes, shortly, from macadam to compact gravel just past the Ballard Campground. So caution is advised. A winding, steady climbing, single lane road is under wheel with few turnouts, fewer (if any) guard rails and a sheer cliff drop off to one side. This is not a place for racing and/or foolishness. As you climb, take note (and lots of pictures), for this type of scenery is rare in Washington, especially into the autumn when the leaves are changing colors. You are now on Hart's Pass-the tallest pass in the entire state at 7440 feet. Nearby Slate Peak offers an incredible view of the North Cascades and Pasayten Alpine Wilderness area.) A trek to the end of the road is beautiful, but you cannot complete the westward trip because Harts Pass was never completed, (mountains too rough). Turn around carefully return the way you came to rejoin Hwy. 20 at Mazama.
A right turn onto Hwy 20 resumes the westward rid, and much fun is head as you climb the East Side of Washington Pass. This is a wonderful, twisty, well-maintained highway that leads you to yet another smorgasbord of different scenery.
Here you might question whether you're still in Washington or possibly somewhere in Europe. At the top of Washington Pass, stop for a short, leg stretching walk to the overlook for a view that's unsurpassable. When you return to your bike refreshed, you're in for an exciting ride down the west side of the pass, where you'll notice the appearance of something that may been lacking on the east side of the pass-----moisture.
Descending, twisting, watching curves, grabbing gears, and mumbling at the four-wheeled tourists is fairly normal. You will pass Diablo Dam, which forms Ross Lake. This beautiful lake stretches from Hwy. 20 into Canada, and surrounding it is Ross Lake National Recreation Area.
Continuing westbound on Hwy. 20 will take you through Marblemount. If you turn south (left) at Rockport, you can pick up Hwy. 530 (Sauk Valley Road), or continue west on Hwy 20 through Cedro Wooley and return to I-5 (Major north/south interstate for those unfamiliar). If you opt to follow Hwy. 530 south to Darrington, this offers a pleasant, winding river following trek. At Arlington, follow Hwy. 9 (south) past Wyatt Park where it intersects with Hwy. 2. You will soon find yourself in Snohomish, a wonderful little town that is chock-full of historical homes, antique stores, great restaurants and a reminder of how small towns used to be. You can spend an entire day browsing through the local stores. If your timing is right, the second weekend of May is the annual Old Snohomish Antique and Classic Motorcycle Show in downtown Snohomish.
The entire trip can be very expensive or as cheap as you want it to be. A simple inquiry to the local Chamber of Commerce and a little map work will proved ample options for hotels, motels, and campgrounds (both private and state run). During peak season, you may need to make reservations, even at campgrounds.
Your necessities, of course, can be carried on the bike with proper side bags, etc. Two or three changes of clothing, camping necessities, snacks, rain gear, leathers, a first aid kit, and a small tool bag/kit should get you through. It's common practice to carry way too many "goodies" while traveling, but as the miles roll by, usually, common sense takes over.
As a native of Tacoma, Washington, I've found that our state abounds with all the diversity of the entire United States with a little investigation. My poor roadmap tattered and ragged at the edges, but provides many great memories of trips past. I'm sure that man of you have covered some of the same tracks that I have over the years, but there are many more to go.
With that I close this ride suggestion. Ride Long and Ride Safe.
Tom J. (and Rattle Can)
