July 2016 Pac Northwest Trip: Wheaton with wifey

[Fontanaman]

On the 4th I am thinking of doing a recon ride to Mt. St. Helens for Wheaties just because I can!

 

[wheatonFJR]

On the 4th I am thinking of doing a recon ride to Mt. St. Helens for Wheaties just because I can!

Let me know if it blows up real good!

 

[Fontanaman]

On the 4th I am thinking of doing a recon ride to Mt. St. Helens for Wheaties just because I can!

Let me know if it blows up real good!

The recon run is to check out the road conditions and evaluate the deterioration since last year. Plus it will be a lot of fun.

 

[escapefjrtist]

On the 4th I am thinking of doing a recon ride to Mt. St. Helens for Wheaties just because I can!

If I weren't saddled with being OC this weekend, I'd join you Fontanaman!

--G

 

[RaYzerman19]

On the 4th I am thinking of doing a recon ride to Mt. St. Helens for Wheaties just because I can!

Let me know if it blows up real good!

The recon run is to check out the road conditions and evaluate the deterioration since last year. Plus it will be a lot of fun.

25 south of Randle has some frost heaves that are hard to see if there is strong sun/shadows amongst the trees. Nothing earth shattering but you can take out your suspension if you take the wrong line.... go at a reasonable pace and you'll be just fine. Going down, heaves are less severe if you hug the right side of the pavement. Coming back, the opposite, but of course you'll be in the wrong lane. No matter even if you stay in your own lane, just leave yourself room to find a good line. Definitely worth the trip. 99 is better as you told me....... great ride.

Additional suggestions...... as you go down 410, take a left on 410 for the Chinook Pass and go up there a few miles, turn around come back. Worth it.

Also, the south entrance to Ranier is Stevens Canyon Road..... if you go time, perhaps pay the $20 entrance fee and ride that west to Longmire and Elbe. Go south at Elbe to 12 (Morton), then east again to get to Randle. That will add about 1.5 hours to Randle. We didn't take it as we didn't have time, but looks like a hoot and perhaps more views of Ranier.

 

[1911]

It all starts next Friday, early morning. I will post up the final itinerary soon. It hasnt changed much since earlier....

Looking for a near real time report on this adventure, from the time the TSA agent snaps on the rubber glove at departure, to baggage claim at return.

Jealous (except for the TSA probe)

Good luck.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I would if I could Duane, but I've never been able to do that.

But when we get back, I'll throw a smattering of posts up. Hopefully the camera will work and Louanne gets some good shots of Canadian scenery and wildlife.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Coming up in a few days, we will start this oddysey, the following is the spine of the trip, not including side trips and day trips.
First heading down to St Helens and Rainier...


A few days going through the Cascades up to Oyama, then over to Nelson, then to the outskirts of Lake Louise at Golden...



A nice long day heading up the Icefields Parkway to Jasper for a couple days, then head back down towards Oyama...



Then head over to Pemberton, Whistler, and Vancouver on the way back to Seattle area...

 

[FJRPittsburgh]

I'm jealous. Years ago I was in Banff and Lake Louise on a ski trip. Absolutely beautiful areas. You and your wife are going to have a blast!

 

[Fontanaman]

Three suggestions and you will end up be on more interesting roads:

1) On you way to Oyama take Hwy 33 like this. Hwy 33 is a good mountain road. Going by way of Penticton is boring and slow to the Nth degree.

2) As you summit Cayuse Pass don't forget to take a left to Chinook Pass to Tipso Lake then return to Cayuse Pass on on the planned route. The total detour will cost you a 1/2 hour total and be very well worth it.

3) Rather than go to the west side of Mt. St. Helens, the tourist side, go to the eastside via this route. Yeah 12 miles of Forest Service Road 25 are choppy but the payoff is riding the superbly twisty FS 99, mostly very good pavement and you are IN the blowdown area. It is simply spectacular.

All the best. Good looking route.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Fun couple weeks Mark, you and the Mrs. are going to have a great time!

See you Friday.

--G

 

[AdamK]

Also, when you leave Nakusp and start heading south on Hwy 6 consider turning east at New Denver and riding 31A to Kaslo, then south to your original route. You can always pop into Nelson if you have your heart set on seeing the town.

 

[Hudson]

Sorry to miss your northern ride, Wheatie, but will see you at George's. SportsGuy is visiting next Thursday, and we are likely headed to Oregon to ride some drier roads!

 

[wheatonFJR]

Also, when you leave Nakusp and start heading south on Hwy 6 consider turning east at New Denver and riding 31A to Kaslo, then south to your original route. You can always pop into Nelson if you have your heart set on seeing the town.

Yep, I'm doing a loop to get in the good roads around there. Spending 3 nights in Nelson. Ainsworth Hot Springs day and riding day.

Sorry to miss your northern ride, Wheatie, but will see you at George's. SportsGuy is visiting next Thursday, and we are likely headed to Oregon to ride some drier roads!

Great...looking forward to it.Have fun in Potatoland!

 

[wheatonFJR]

beemerdons said

Just throwing this out there, what about hitting up the Red Lodge gathering, then continuing on your trip..... Gets you into BC first part of July....

BTW, first week of July 2007, WA and BC were baking in a 3 week heat wave, around 100F... I rode up thru WA to BC in 102F. A guy at a gas station said, you shoulda been here last Tuesday it was 106.

Nice to see RaYzerman19 sober for a change, but this Toronto Maple Leafs Lover is right. Don't miss the Red Lodge Rendezvous, it will be a blast eh! JSNS, Beauty!

Sorry I missed it Donnie...but no choice. Gonna miss you more...thanks for following my trip thread...watch over me you crazy Irishman.
Big Sky said

Wheaton, for the Canadian part of your tour I would suggest you ascertain your timing does not coincide with any of the Canadian national holidays or you will find traffic and lines (ferries) at about 200 percent of normal.
Oh: don't forget your passports, eh?

Took your advice Sky. Gonna miss meeting you. Say hi to Donnie for me.
I got some good people looking over my shoulder, so hopefully I'll make all the right choices on this trip.

The spotwalla for this trip should be the following if I don't screw this up...

https://spotwalla.com/embed.php?id=11783577ad83d0fabf&scale=on&zoom=default&refresh=no

Should start pinging towards the SE side of Seattle Friday pm as we make our way to St. Helens...

Well, due to the help of some PNW and Canadian friends, this show is getting off the ground!

July 8, Friday: Fly into Seattle, pick up bike at George's.

July 9,10 Sat/Sun: visit Mt St Helens and Rainier and return to Monroe, WA

July 11, Monday: ride over the Cascades, then up north to Dave's place in Oyama. 320 miles.

July 12, Tues:short loop out of Oyama, less than 100 miles

July 13, Wed: Ride over to Nelson

July 14, Thursday: Ride over to Ainsworth Hot Springs...hiking?

July 15, Friday: fun loop, hike?

July 16, Saturday: Nelson to Golden 281 miles

July 17, Sunday: Golden loop , less than 100 miles, hike?

July 18, Mon: Golden to Jasper

July 19, Tuesday:Jasper - hike? ride?

July 20, Wed:Jasper to Oyama,

July 21, Thursday: Oyama to Pemberton, 250 miles

July 22, Friday: Pemberton loop, hike?

July 23, Sat: Pemberton to Monroe...

July 24, Sunday: Drop off bike at George's...uber to relatives?

July 25, Monday: Fly home to SC

 

[dcarver]

GO WHEATIE!

 

[Uncle Hud]

Safe journey, brother!

 

[Auburn]

Welcome to the wet side of Washington. It is living up to it reputation today. Have a great time!

 

[Niehart]

He was on the bird about 5:30 this morning. I didn't have the heart to tell him that it was poring at my house.

11:30 When his bird lands looks a lot better weather wise.

 

[Fontanaman]

Time to change up things due to weather. Mt. Rainier and St. Helen's will be a sad place to be this weekend.

Go east young man! I suggest Grand Coulee Dam, Okanogan Highlands and Republic Washington setting you up for a push into Canada as planned. Make lemonade out of lemons!

Take Highway 2 to Grand Coulee Dam. Here is the route. Visit the Dry Falls Visitor Center to learn about the Ice Age Floods that sculpted the land from here to the Pacific Ocean. Do the tourist stuff around Grand Cooler and enjoy. Maybe even stay there for the night. This takes care of Saturday. Here is the weather forecast for Grand Coulee Wa.

Sunday there are options. Here are a couple of route suggestions. Idea One a 250 mile day. Idea Two - a little longer - perhaps stay in Republic a quiet town. Monday push on up in to Canada and continue the ride as planned. From Republic this is the route to the border.

All these roads are terrific! Watch for loose gravel as most of them are chip sealed.

Other option is to go to either Winthrop or Leavenworth and stay there on Saturday or Sunday night. Winthrop is a western themed town. George can tell you more about those towns and what to do. There is hiking in Winthrop and a visit to Sun Mountain Lodge for lunch is very nice. Leavenworth is a Bavarian themed town and it more of a tourist trap than Winthrop.