Accidental pass hunting in the cascades, + Rainier!

[AngryScientist]

As an east coaster, i'm totally enamored with the American west, especially the northwest.

soo sooo many great places to explore. if i have even a short opportunity when i'm out that way for work, i find something new to do.

anyway, flight into Seattle with the travel bike in tow. after getting up at 4something AM and a 6 hour flight, i was headed to my destination in eastern WA, and tired as hell, but passed a sign that spoke to me.

STAMPEDE PASS

ok, change of plans, pulled off the highway, and quickly assembled the bike in a gravel road:

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JlOSnWBI_h8/W0pvBlzZnjI/AAAAAAAADCo/pOMek48EsvsJJzTgU5r2A4msUFijVdrTwCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_0508.JPG

Stampede Pass is a short, gravel climb. Road is groomed smooth enough to be doable on 25s, though the way down was a little hairy, and i couldnt go as fast as i would have like to with some sweet compass stampede pass 32s!

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--n8PsLNl5x4/W0pvButvPrI/AAAAAAAADCs/QiH9Akb7oaILsBC2L74INwA_O4slYDS5QCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_0509.JPG

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzCx4YbSRXA/W0pvBLlNJNI/AAAAAAAADCk/vxgkDJHxACEC528FZt8QF-Dr6LbQug2KACLcBGAs/s900/IMG_0519.JPG




Wasn't expecting to knock that one out, but it was a good warmup for the week ahead in WA.

Managed a few short rides when i was done with work stuff each day in various parts of eastern WA, then drove out to Rainier Nat Park.

Thanks to the suggestions here, i found a great metric century loop starting in Packwood. The route is basically a 24 mile climb to the top of Paradise, followed by 10 miles of descending, a small lump of elevation and then another gradual 20 miles or so of sloping downward back to Packwood.

GREAT ride. I was impressed by the fact that i was on fantastic roads, glorious scenery and saw exactly zero other cyclists during the day.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNhwOvCKKYU/W0pvB7SMPqI/AAAAAAAADCw/rJujDLIUYPEaKB_qVZqdsuYipMsOxXLggCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_0538%2B%25281%2529.JPG



Getting ready to roll from Packwood:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMyjpMwTb2w/W0pvCzSBKsI/AAAAAAAADC0/j2_5Tclk-ywt8jZXRDNaOmojxuyvMtBXQCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_0564.JPG

awesome, quiet roads:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bEZZM74xu4/W0pvDR5qCnI/AAAAAAAADC4/smVTAihJea05R92bWoyJOPxsJ93UVm_EACLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_0565.JPG

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HqUzsJPaJc0/W0pvDfad5jI/AAAAAAAADC8/YkxGrvq4XhERnfFULVKY-Xf8iwCcNZTQQCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_0568.JPG

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pmH5Uqy1Kec/W0pvDmSslJI/AAAAAAAADDA/HCQIPRw2fDsrBlK4Yc8v12LfXh3pN4JCwCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_0570.JPG

[AngryScientist]

coolest part of the whole ride for me was the beginning part is heavily wooded, so you cant really see much beyond the trees. at one point though, i turned a corner and into a clearing of trees, looked left and was greeted with this scene, totally awesome. looks to me like something out of a Disney mock-up set, not real life. but it is real. the magic of mountains. so impressive!


https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pHCqRwsT3v4/W0pvEPjnuoI/AAAAAAAADDE/ihEPWEHWD045yuE5cX3_xLmTr13cXL2lwCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_0573.JPG

onward and upward:

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nynjwT1gT_w/W0pvE75f9jI/AAAAAAAADDI/1yCc4UofTzwVl-vKEg3lgeY6xQKb4Rn9gCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_0574.JPG

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mFHbD-zWYTQ/W0pvFEK2EBI/AAAAAAAADDM/GVb31qKLy38veLXGPCvg8eXC7C2lMOssgCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_0575.JPG

about 5 miles from the peak:

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmRJ6Skwrhk/W0pvHv0sagI/AAAAAAAADDk/994xdIDLboQdVSrxXjD82JS2Vdxle813wCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_0596.JPG

success!!

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Z0JXJy-QiQ/W0pvF8IjqQI/AAAAAAAADDU/DogVxA51bnsUk4F_lWhEU48mBMv3fyZGQCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_0583.JPG

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHmPq3Tlg1U/W0pvGnilXLI/AAAAAAAADDY/IyxpmJzqVzot1ROwE9BIsOuoCwx9UDiAwCLcBGAs/s1200/IMG_0586.JPG


unfortunately it was HOT day. granted, my car had been sitting in the sun all day, but the temps were still very high. i was pretty wiped out by the time i got back to the car and couldnt get to some cold beers fast enough!

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nIDXiwKe5Rg/W0pvGm1AfwI/AAAAAAAADDg/U-XqNn9y6gI2urQYXGjXwpSOQn8mZlThwCLcBGAs/s900/IMG_0595.JPG

[AngryScientist]

I would say, if you're in area, or are travelling to the Seattle area, and you haven't knocked this one out, do it!

i used a modified version of this route and i worked out well:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/4941370

[dave thompson]

Washington abounds in things like you’ve experienced, all over the state.

Here’s a little trip I had, a shakedown cruise for a new bike several years ago, from the western side of the mountains to the eastern side of the state: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=93772&highlight=American

[Birddog]

Angry, you clearly captured an image in a "No Shooting Zone", shame on you.

[one60]

Looks like a great outing. Its surprising how danged hot it can get up in the Cascade Range in the summer. Its not uncommon for temps on the roads up to the passes to get in the 80s. But better hot than cold & wet.

[AngryScientist]

Washington abounds in things like you’ve experienced, all over the state.

Here’s a little trip I had, a shakedown cruise for a new bike several years ago, from the western side of the mountains to the eastern side of the state: https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=93772&highlight=American

hell yea!

i remember seeing that thread some years ago dave.

really great stuff you guys have out there. i count myself fortunate to be able to travel to the west coast so often and have a travel bike to explore. will keep exploring new roads every chance i get!

[AngryScientist]

oh, and public thanks to all the forum members who helped me plan what to do, in particular one60 above who posted the basic route i took.

[gasman]

You should NOT be posting photos of these beautiful places to ride :rolleyes:

We don’t want our roads more crowded. Glad you had a good time. It is amazing how hot it can get even with some elevation.

[Mikej]

Pretty cool, looks like a great pace!

[marciero]

Sounds and looks like some pretty awesome riding. Packwood, Stampede Pass, Paradise... readers of BQ will recognize all these. Pretty sure I've seen photos of that bridge in BQ as well.

[AngryScientist]

Sounds and looks like some pretty awesome riding. Packwood, Stampede Pass, Paradise... readers of BQ will recognize all these. Pretty sure I've seen photos of that bridge in BQ as well.

yes, granted that this was a weekday, i was pretty surprised to be out all day on perfect roads (i was going sloooow) and not see a single other cyclist. despite the heat, these are ideal riding roads. very very low car traffic as well, i felt very safe too.

going to start planning a few day pleasure trip out this way for next year!

[fourspin]

Are you running Schwalbe Pro Ones? I have them (and really like them) on my road bike (running tubeless) and will hit the occasional, short stretch of hardpack dirt, but would have never thought to ride off road with them. Good to know they can take the abuse!

[AngryScientist]

Are you running Schwalbe Pro Ones? I have them (and really like them) on my road bike (running tubeless) and will hit the occasional, short stretch of hardpack dirt, but would have never thought to ride off road with them. Good to know they can take the abuse!

yea man! these tires have proven to take a tremendous amount of abuse and still going strong. i'm pretty damned close to wearing out the rear, and not other cuts, which is a rarity for me. they've seen quite a bit of "accidental" gravel and have taken the worst i could throw at them.

[fourspin]

Are you running them tubeless? I run mine at about 80 PSI and they are just great. I punctured a few weeks ago, but they sealed up and held about 65 PSI all the way home. Have put another 300 miles or so on them since without any issues.

yea man! these tires have proven to take a tremendous amount of abuse and still going strong. i'm pretty damned close to wearing out the rear, and not other cuts, which is a rarity for me. they've seen quite a bit of "accidental" gravel and have taken the worst i could throw at them.

[AngryScientist]

Are you running them tubeless? I run mine at about 80 PSI and they are just great. I punctured a few weeks ago, but they sealed up and held about 65 PSI all the way home. Have put another 300 miles or so on them since without any issues.

not tubeless. this is a travel bike and i have to deflate the tires every time i put the bike back in the case, that would be a hassle with tubeless and sealant. they ride pretty nicely tubed though, i think. not as nice as vittoria or veloflex, but pretty good, and more durable.

[72gmc]

You can’t ride mountain passes with rim brakes!

Thanks for the pics. I’ve hiked in that park all of my life but haven’t ridden it yet. I should probably get on that. Funny how life can make you wait to do something that’s just down the road.

[William]

Nick, thanks for the trip down memory lane. I know all those area intimately, I grew up in the PNW and had family all over the state. My grandparents had an A-frame cabin in the Packwood Hi-valley area.

Looked like a fun ride and a great time, thanks for sharing.







William

[HTupolev]

How was the surface on Stampede? I did a loop of Stampede and Tacoma passes last summer, and Stampede was fairly washboarded.

But yeah, the network of gravel roads in the PNW Cascades is excellent.

https://i.imgur.com/4wCfOgk.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6yCauJE.jpg

And if we're on the subject of riding tires on their namesake passes, here's Rat Trap Pass ELs on Rat Trap Pass:

https://i.imgur.com/HwVfB4j.jpg

[sc53]

Great trip report and pix, Nick! Also loved the Rat Trap Pass tires and pass. I love spontaneous solo adventures, esp on what would otherwise be a WORK day! I highly recommend wearing a Road ID on such adventures, you never know what a washboarded gravel descent might do.