3-pass fall trip research

[JamesW]

After getting the wife off to work this am it was out the door. Fall prep included heated vest, bit heavier gloves, small coffee thermos to stash in tank bag after filling with decaf at Mickey Ds, stayed with the lightweight summer boots cause I like the more sensitive feel and control, feet got a little cool but still comfortable. 405 S. from Bothell to I-90, thank the gods for the carpool lane, everything else Southbound was choked up. East over Snoq. pass, approaching the summit was getting scenic and going down the east side was same, the (now) usual construction areas are still there along with the road signs warning of stops/ rolling slow downs. Only slowdowns were the usual semis playing musical lanes, price you pay for slabbing part of the ride. Did not notice much colorful scenery at this time. Gassed in Cle Elum and then over blewett, little traffic and I was not in a hurry, pretty ride with some changing colors, maybe a little early yet for the full display. Thru Leavenworth ( which was swelling up for Octoberfest which will be every Fri. and Sat. from now till the end of Oct.), saw many classic cars/rods and motorhomes. The genius of the trip was coming home west on 2, while the masses were building heading east. Starting in the Tumwater canyon scenery was outstanding, sometimes stark in the burn areas but the foliage is really starting to turn in Stevens pass. Beware, right at the summit area there is a variable speed zone, and today the " Variable" was 40mph, why I do not know. Nary a peep from the escort the whole trip. Snacked at the Lk. Wenatchee rest area and chatted for an hour with a late 1960s B-52 pilot, as a nineteen year old I was an assistant crew chief on the old Buffs. Back then there was no "thanks for your service" my how things have changed. Nice day.

 

[FJRay]

After getting the wife off to work this am it was out the door. Fall prep included heated vest, bit heavier gloves, small coffee thermos to stash in tank bag after filling with decaf at Mickey Ds, stayed with the lightweight summer boots cause I like the more sensitive feel and control, feet got a little cool but still comfortable. 405 N. from Bothell to I-90, thank the gods for the carpool lane, everything else Southbound was choked up. East over Snoq. pass, approaching the summit was getting scenic and going down the east side was same, the (now) usual construction areas are still there along with the road signs warning of stops/ rolling slow downs. Only slowdowns were the usual semis playing musical lanes, price you pay for slabbing part of the ride. Did not notice much colorful scenery at this time. Gassed in Cle Elum and then over blewett, little traffic and I was not in a hurry, pretty ride with some changing colors, maybe a little early yet for the full display. Thru Leavenworth ( which was swelling up for Octoberfest which will be every Thurs. and Fri. from now till the end of Oct.), saw many classic cars/rods and motorhomes. The genius of the trip was coming home west on 2, while the masses were building heading east. Starting in the Tumwater canyon scenery was outstanding, sometimes stark in the burn areas but the foliage is really starting to turn in Stevens pass. Beware, right at the summit area there is a variable speed zone, and today the " Variable" was 40mph, why I do not know. Nary a peep from the escort the whole trip. Snacked at the Lk. Wenatchee rest area and chatted for an hour with a late 1960s B-52 pilot, as a nineteen year old I was an assistant crew chief on the old Buffs. Back then there was no "thanks for your service" my how things have changed. Nice day.

Gotta enjoy the weather while you can. I plan on riding all weekend in 80 degree weather here in central Or.

In the late sixty's I built and loaded a **** load of bombs on good old BUFF.

 

[Fontanaman]

I hope to get out on Sunday for my own 3 pass blast on Cuyuse, Chinook and White Passes. Thank for the report. I was thinking of Steven's Pass on Sunday until I read your report to learn about Oktoberfest in Leavenworth. I will pass on riding through the trinkets trash tourist trap town aka Leavenworth.

 

[Oso]

If you want to change this trip up a bit there are a couple options. I love Blewett Pass especially the downhill run to Peshastin. An alternative and much slower route is to take the Old Blewett highway. NO traffic, very tight twisties but marginal pavement. This will dump you back onto 97 at Scott's Creek. Once in Leavenworth head out towards Plain and the Chiwawa river. This is a very nice ride with beautiful fields and forests. You turn towards Lake Wenatchee eventually and can come out on route 2.

 

[SeattleTy]

Excellent ride report James Going to try and do the same route Oso route, should be lots of fun. Anyone done these routes? Whats your thoughts?

 

[Fontanaman]

Yep I have been on these roads. The road to Plain is very nice - there are a couple of ways to get there from Hwy 2 - take the longer route - it is more twisty. The Chumstick Hwy is great. Also a fun but short diversion is the Old Cascade Hwy. I am not too keen on the Old Blewett Hwy due to the marginal pavement.

 

[DennisJ]

I am planning the same trip in reverse for Saturday morning. MI up to Monroe, over Stevens and then the Chumstick into the east side of Leavenworth, over to Country Boys in Cashmere for lunch and then back over Blewett. Hope the Octoberfest traffic isn't to bad. I had forgotten all about it.

 

[escapefjrtist]

As Ray says, enjoy it while we can, nice weather will be gone too soon!

Good info Jim, catching three passes is always a good day.

--G

 

[Niehart]

Yep I have been on these roads. The road to Plain is very nice - there are a couple of ways to get there from Hwy 2 - take the longer route - it is more twisty. The Chumstick Hwy is great. Also a fun but short diversion is the Old Cascade Hwy. I am not too keen on the Old Blewett Hwy due to the marginal pavement.

If you go through Plain and take the North Road, just before you get to Leavenworth to Peshastin, you can completely avoid the Oct. fest.

 

[Fontanaman]

Yep I have been on these roads. The road to Plain is very nice - there are a couple of ways to get there from Hwy 2 - take the longer route - it is more twisty. The Chumstick Hwy is great. Also a fun but short diversion is the Old Cascade Hwy. I am not too keen on the Old Blewett Hwy due to the marginal pavement.

If you go through Plain and take the North Road, just before you get to Leavenworth to Peshastin, you can completely avoid the Oct. fest.

Travelling on Hwy 2 east in the morning you may have to deal with traffic in the little townlets of Startup, Slowdown and GetTheHellOuttaMy way aka Sultan, Startup and Gold Bar. Leaving early helps - oops too late - don't come home that way on Sunday. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[Panman]

Just do a CanAm instead and stay the heck off of 2 all together. I feel one coming on soon, OM style!

 

[escapefjrtist]

Just do a CanAm instead and stay the heck off of 2 all together. I feel one coming on soon, OM style!

--G

 

[Niehart]

Just do a CanAm instead and stay the heck off of 2 all together. I feel one coming on soon, OM style!

--G

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