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Great day in the PNW

1K views 13 replies 9 participants last post by  stanstrom 
#1 ·
When the weather does arrive, what great riding is to be had. Didn't leave til 1PM Sunday and still managed to get in 400 miles and 3 mtn passes. Jumped on I-90 at N. Bend and got off in Easton(Only stretch of freeway all day). Then back roads to Cle Elum and Blewett pass. Took the turn off then for the old Blewett pass( a 1+ lane not maintained much for 50 years). A short ways up I found these sheep everywhere. 100's of them.


A view from near the top.

A bit of the old road

From Blewett I went to Levenworth and up Icicle river rd. about 15-20 miles. Returned the same route until 97 leaves Blewett and heads to Ellensburg. This is a shot along 97.

Had a 1/2 pound burger(called the Hungry Mother) at the TAV in Ellensburg. Continued on from dinner into the Yakima canyon(Thank goodness I was minding my speed better than earlier as there were 4 patrollman with radar in 20 miles.) A view in the canyon.

The temperature was in the high 80,s on the E. side and at the top of Chinook pass(5500 ft.) it was high 40,s at 9PM. The mesh jacket wasn't working to well so the liner went back in along with a sweatshirt.The deer and elk became frequent visitors on the road so I slowed down even more. Home by 10:00. Can't ask for a better afternoon than that.
 
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#4 ·
I nominate Don the official Navigator and Keeper of Maps for the PACNW riders. If any of you have talked with him in person about a ride, he can tell you route numbers, highway numbers, street names, turns, mileage, etc., all from memory. There's no "go to the old tractor, then left at the horse with a hat on" with Don. I guess that comes from driving trucks all those years.

And for those that don't know, Don's idea of retiring is to start a new business hanging siding. But from the looks of it, he doesn't work on Sundays! Nice trip and pics.
 
#5 ·
Cops on Blewett

That stretch of 97 over Blewett Pass is great, but be careful. There's a Washington State Trooper that patrols that area pretty regularly. He gave me a ticket for going 70 in a 60 mph zone last year (my speedo had 70 indicated, which meant I was actually only going about 63mph). When I rode through that same stretch just two weeks ago, there he was with his little radar gun in hand. I waved as I rode by (at 65 mph indicated). He waved back.

Last year he mentioned one of the reasons for their aggressive speed enforcement is the high number of deer in that area.
 
#8 ·
That stretch of 97 over Blewett Pass is great, but be careful. There's a Washington State Trooper that patrols that area pretty regularly. He gave me a ticket for going 70 in a 60 mph zone last year (my speedo had 70 indicated, which meant I was actually only going about 63mph). When I rode through that same stretch just two weeks ago, there he was with his little radar gun in hand. I waved as I rode by (at 65 mph indicated). He waved back.

Last year he mentioned one of the reasons for their aggressive speed enforcement is the high number of deer in that area.

Woah! I sure am lucky. 2 weeks ago I never dipped below 70mph over that pass and was fortunate enough to not see any deer or Mr. WA Trooper. That would have been a damper to the end of an anniversary trip.

Nice ride report.
 
#7 ·
Great trip Don!

That looks like some great riding Don. I need to get up on some of those roads myself.
My daughter and I rode from Spokane through Grand Coulee weekend before last and ended up coming in the back way to Ellensburg then down to Yakima.

Some great scenery up there but plenty of wind. I was thinking someone should be catching some of this breeze and topped a small pass to see a huge forest of windmills on top. Made me chuckle.

I would like to try that Colockum pass road some time as well.

http://www.lat-long.com/ShowDetail-5394-Washington-Colockum_Pass.html

Great pics and report!:var_28:
 
#11 ·
When the weather does arrive, what great riding is to be had. Didn't leave til 1PM Sunday and still managed to get in 400 miles and 3 mtn passes. Jumped on I-90 at N. Bend and got off in Easton(Only stretch of freeway all day). Then back roads to Cle Elum and Blewett pass. Took the turn off then for the old Blewett pass( a 1+ lane not maintained much for 50 years). A short ways up I found these sheep everywhere. 100's of them.
Don,

Thanks for your route and pictures. They inspire me. I'm familiar with your route, but I'm not clear about the back roads to Cle Elum from Easton, and exactly which route is the old Blewett Pass.

Back before the Suncadia development was in full swing, I understand you could pick your way from Easton over the ridge and (according to the USGS topo and Google Maps) either end up going down the steep grade to Bullfrog road close to I90, or you could end up going across near the Cle Elum Reservoir dam and ending up in Ronald. Since then, the road down the steep, narrow grade is closed, and I understand there are at a minimum, signs admonishing you and warning you not to proceed on your motorcycle or ATV (at least as of a couple of years ago). What route did you take and what kind of condition was it in?

As for the old Blewett Pass, it looks really cool! On Google maps, it looks as if the route you took is one that basically cuts off the eastward swing of hwy 97 over the pass. Is that the one? Are there signs, or how do you know when you get there? You mention that the road has probably not been maintained for 50 years. Generally, how is its condition, and are there any tricky spots?

Thanks!

Stan.
 
#12 ·
Old Blewett is well marked off 97 in both directions. Still a fairly good road. Some sand, gravel and rocks so a slower pace is best.

At Easton take exit 74 and turn R.(south) . That will take you to South Cle Elum and from there the road goes under the freeway to Cle Elum

Back 15-25 years ago the area N. of Cle Elum was all open with 100,s of miles of trails and old road to ride. Crossing over to Teanaway area could be done in several places. Then Plum Creek(Weyerhaeuser) closed it all except 1 or 2 logging roads.
 
#13 ·
Also out of Cle Elum(East) you can turn N. on Teanaway Rd. Go 7-8 miles to Dicky creek rd.and follow that to Red Top lookout. From the lookout go back down to the E. and come out by Mineral Springs on hwy 97. Just a few of the great roads in that area.
 
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