First open week-end for the cascades highway. (May 08)

[Slug87]

As mentioned in this thread (http://www.bcsportbikes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99237), the Cascade highway was open for business this past Thursday at 0800 am.

I will start by saying that it is a must do experience at this time of the year. However it can be extremely risky. As always what is beautiful is generally also dangerous. Read on to find out why.



Since the forecast was officially good for Sunday, I decided that it was time to go check out the scenery early on the season. I have done this road a couple of times before, but always late in the summer.
2 buddies accepted my invitation and tagged along, despite some skepticism up to the last hours.

Let me tell you a few facts:
- Little to no traffic (Only 4 cars were overtaken between Marblemount and Winthrop. That is 160Km approximately.)
- No cops whatsoever except within Winthrop city limit. The usual marshal and a buddy in the 25MPH zone
- Perfect pavement with very little snow water running across the lanes.
- Not a single pothole
- A bit of salt especially near the summit.
- 40F aka 4 deg C the lowest temperature recorded, and not even at the summit.
- Summer like condition in Winthrop.


We met at the Port Mann Scale at 0830 am.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/01_scale.jpg
Quick wheelie after scaling the bike.

I waited there for about 10 mins, and I easily saw 20 bikes of all sizes and shape zooming past. This was sure sign for a great riding day I thought.

We decided to head down to Sumas and travel to Sedro Woolley. We could not see Mt baker at that time, nor any kind of peaks anywhere during that section. In fact it was pretty cold and gloomy. But no rain. I was getting nervous that it was a bad call. But somehow we ended up in Sedro, and looking East down the Skagit valley, some bright clouds were visible.
I thought of turning away, and give up, but not before riding the south side of the river as recommended by many on this site.
Half way to concrete/rockport, the skies opened up. Temperature rose sensibly through the visor opening.
Form then on it was just a perfect sky and a perfect road.
A quick stop for gas in Marblemount made me realize that we were not alone. Bike where appearing from everywhere. Obviously somebody else is checking on the news.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/02_diablolakesummits.jpg
First classic stop at Diablo lake to enjoy those snow cap summit.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/03_diablolake.jpg
The colors are so different at this time of the year. I think that some organism strive in summer in this water turning the lake green.
Now it is really dark.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/04_diablopanosmall.jpg
A panoramic view from the viewpoint.

The road up to Washington pass was done at a reasonable pace. I wanted to get up there fast enough to get the best light on the east side slopes.
So no more stopping until the summit.

I was kind of hoping that the visitor center road would have been cleared too. Last time I was up there I squeezed the bike around the gate. Not this time apparently ;-)

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/05_blower.jpg
Thanks to this snowblower six week efforts, we are now able to enjoy this road.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/06_downtoswitchback.jpg
Finally we reached the prize of the day... Washington pass East side awesome vistas.
Here coming down to the switch back.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/07_rockfaces.jpg
Some of the rock face near the pass itself.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/10_bradswitchback.jpg
Riding the switch back under perfect conditions.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/11_skitraces.jpg
You might have to move your head around your LCD screen a little bit. But you should be able to see the tracks left by skiers on that great slope.
There was not too many of them. But it sure look like a ton of fun.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/11c_sunswicthback.jpg
The sun was cooperating fully at that point above the switch back.
This resulted in a 50F aka 10 Deg C temperature. Totally acceptable.

[Slug87]

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/11b_winthropvalley.jpg
The view down the valley toward Winthrop. Strangely this is were we experienced the lowest temperature. Right when we went through the most dense section of the forest. A couple of clouds overhead probably did not help. But nothing unbearable.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/12_burrito.jpg
A quick burrito in Winthrop was just the ticket to recharge our batteries before heading back the same way.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/13_winthroplocal.jpg
This guy standing in front of the tourist info was not super helpful.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/14_winthropmaindrag.jpg
I had a chat with the lady running the gas station in town. I wanted to know how much of difference it made to have the pass open again. Well try to imagine the same view but with no car whatsoever. And this only a week ago. Pretty striking I thought.
I must say that I was a bit surprise to see a fair bit of RVs on the road too.


http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/15_jeep.jpg
Winthrop is a bit like Robson or White Rock to me. There is always something attracting attention rolling by.


http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/16_climbingback.jpg
Here we are climbing back towards the pass heading west this time.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/17_andrewb4slide.jpg
No for the adrenaline rush of the day.
You can see my bike parked on the left with a snowplow parked behind it.
Notice how the snow bank is fairly high on the right in the background between my bike and my buddy riding up towards me.

Now imagine the time it takes for me to:
Walk back to my bike.
Turn around and open my tank bag to put my camera away. As I am about to zip the bag close I can hear a huge thunder like noise despite having my helmet on.
I turn around just in time to see the end of a slide coming down at the exact spot I described earlier.
The snowplow get into action immediately. And there is a bit of confusion.
Well the road is now closed again as the avalanche has crossed the road and trapped one car while damaging another one. The driver of that one somehow managed to drive through it.


http://gstouring.com/BCSB/SlideCar/CarBustedB.jpg
Here is the front of the car. Hood busted, windshield collapse.

http://gstouring.com/BCSB/SlideCar/CarBustedA.jpg
And here is the back of the car. All the windows are gone. A block of ice is in the back getting a free ride I guess.


Now this is were you realize fate, murphy's law etc... all play a role in life.
I originally wanted to stop to take my buddies pictures at about the same spot. But somehow I caught up to a car who was maneuvering on the side.
So I rode higher up to get out of a shade area.
We were all pretty disturb by what happened.

So if you read this and decide to ride up there soon, you might want to double check where you pull up. You might want to also look up as you ride and be ready to hit that gas throttle.
Like an attractive woman, beautiful mountain can mean lots of trouble.

[Slug87]

Anyway, back on the ride.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/18_passadvsalute.jpg
Classic ADV salute at the pass sign.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/19_westsidescene.jpg
The west side of the pass also offer a few nice vistas.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/20_coolingdrink.jpg
At that spot the snowbank was about 8 feet high. And somebody has found a way to keep his drink cool.

http://gstouring.com/adventures/wp-content/gallery/2008_05_winthropwinter/21_roadscenery.jpg
Final picture. Just to show how good the pavement is on the cascades highway.

I also want to mention that for some reasons sport bikes riders were not seen anywhere for most of the day. The roads were clogged with Harley's Goldwing and the regular amount of beemers. Then shortly after the slide well into the afternoon by that time, we met a all bunch of groups exclusively made of sport bikes. That was cool to see.

Finally, I can only encourage you to go up there and enjoy thoses sweepers and scenery before the popo like the bears wakes up from their winter nap.

[silverD]

Nice report on a great road.

Now is the time to do it like you say, summer gets damm hot and RVs are slow.

[Libby]

That's awesome
Can you post up a google map or something to show us your route

[Slug87]

Here is a google map of the exact route from Sumas to winthrop as we did it, including the South Skagit road option known as DH56.

Click here (http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=sumas,+bc&daddr=48.486576,-122.179127+to:Winthrop,+Okanogan,+Washington,+Unit ed+States&mra=pe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=13&via=1&sll=48.502844,-122.233372&sspn=0.066197,0.154667&ie=UTF8&z=9).

[elevation]

what a great report! I did this ride last year on May 22nd. Many of the pictures are the same as yours. Maybe not quite as much snow. It is an amazing ride at that time of year (well anytime its open!)

Wish I could have done the ride with you. It would have been worth bundling up for.

[heisenberg9]

Nice report Slug. Glad you didn't get caught in the avalanche. Hoping I can pull a trip through there and maybe do an overnight in the next few weeks.

I appreciate your time documenting "the look" through there when the highway first opens.

[liketoride]

Thanks for taking the time to stop and take some really excellent photos.
All too often we end up just riding, and forgetting to stop and take in the scenery.
As was the case in your trip with the near miss avalanche. It seems that Mr. Murphy and the passion for motorcycling have a 'law' of attraction that is sometimes too close for comfort!!

[J_Scott]

That avalanche is scary... makes me feel a bit better I didn't go that way.

Nice pics Bruno

[smokinjoe]

Thanks for the report and pics!:thumbup

[Triplepete]

Very nice Ride report Bruno! I can appreciate the time it takes to set up for a nice picture... Remember Trout Lake at the Windsor Hotel? I don't think I seen those pics yet.

(BTW, it's me Peter, used to be Fury)

[Slug87]

Very nice Ride report Bruno! I can appreciate the time it takes to set up for a nice picture... Remember Trout Lake at the Windsor Hotel? I don't think I seen those pics yet.

(BTW, it's me Peter, used to be Fury)


I know it's you Peter.
I thought that you downloaded all the pictures of BCBT1 when they were on line.
I should burn a CD for you then.

I need to sync up with you this Month as I may be going away for a while.

[Slug87]

That avalanche is scary... makes me feel a bit better I didn't go that way.

Nice pics Bruno

Yes pretty scary.

In canada we have clear signs for not stopping in Slides area.

On Washington pass sunday I can't believe they had no sign up. And I know that the WSDOT was expecting one to come down because they had a huge snowplow truck park there looking at it all day. It went into motion as soon as the avalanche came down.

You would have loved it down there.
Do an overnight Leavenworth loop next Week-end if you can.

[Triplepete]

I need to sync up with you this Month as I may be going away for a while.

Gene (Over 40) and I are leaving for a week long trip to NorCal the night of May 9... tonight I guess. I think he contacted you, can you make it?

[Slug87]

Gene (Over 40) and I are leaving for a week long trip to NorCal the night of May 9... tonight I guess. I think he contacted you, can you make it?

What a small world.
No sorry, I can't make it.
My first big ride is for June 8th
Gene booked his holidays 2 days before I told him about our annual ride.
Too bad.
Let' sync up when you get back.

[mooove_over]

beautiful pics.....that is such a nice ride....that avalanche is a bit of a head scratcher though huh?