The Three-Passes Run with Alternate Ending

While working the counter this last Thursday, I got a call about 5:30pm from one of my customers, Rob. He and his boss, Gerry, were wondering if we carried aluminum stock in the store. I told him that we didn't, then asked what they were going to use it for. He said they were wanting to make tie-downs for their motorcycles. I offered them a piece of aluminum round-rod I had at home and told them I'd run it over the next day.

The next morning, I stuffed the aluminum rod into my backpack and headed over to their shop to drop it off. It turned out they didn't need it, because they had found some in a mail order catalogue that would work fine and were really cheap. I asked them if they were getting ready to go on a trip with their bikes and if that was why they needed the tie-downs.

They said they were on one of the last legs of a massive poker run. This leg would take them down into Northeastern Oregon and Idaho. They then invited me to go along. Shocked, I gave it a moment's thought then declined. They offered again, but that was much farther than I had ever ridden on my little XJ650. I told them I'd think about it and would get back to them later in the day.

After completing some projects around the house I decided to give them a call. I had pondered their offer and decided to ride with them, but not all the way. I had been wanting to do a trip that would take me down to Cle Elum, then turn North and head back up Blewitt Pass to Stevens Pass. This would actually work out perfectly. I called Gerry and arranged to meet him at 7:30 the next morning.

Saturday morning came. It was partly cloudy and the air was crisp. I pulled on my riding pants and jacket and decided to leave their liners in to keep out the chill. It was a good thing, too, as I was soon to discover it would be pretty chilly bombing down the road at 60mph that early in the morning.

I arrived right before 7:30 at Gerry's house. He was just coming out his front door with his sleeping bag in hand. He told me all he had to do was grab his jacket and we'd be on the road. Soon enough we would making tracks for the McShell Station in Monroe. There, we would meet up with Rob, and head South on 203 to I-90.

Here's a map of the route I ended up taking:



We stopped for breakfast somewhere off I-90. Unfortunately, I'm not at all familiar with that area. All I can say is that we got on I-90, went to the next exit, then got off. The diner was kind of like a truck stop as there were several tractor trailers in the parking lot. The food was great, and it gave us a chance to warm up, too.

After breakfast, we rode into Cle Elum. From there, we parted ways. They hopped back onto I-90 and head off towards the Tri-Cities area and I continued straight out of town for Blewitt Pass. If you ever get a chance to do this pass, I highly recommend it. I was fortunate not to have anyone in front of me for the majority of the run. There were many sweeping corners and the scenery can't be beat. I'll definitely be making this run again.

There's still a bit of construction going on at the Northern end of Blewitt where it meets up with Highway 2 in Pashastin. Once you clear that, it was pretty easy riding on into Leavenworth. Once I made Leavenworth, it was time to fuel up the bike. I had been told by several riders to take the "back way" around Leavenworth. It takes you by Plain then dumps you off at Hwy 2.



After fueling, I turned right onto the Chumstick Highway. The Northern end of this road is awesome. The whole way out of Leavenworth you're climbing into the hills, but as you come into Plain, you make a rapid, winding decent. It was so much fun that I almost turned around to have another go at it. Put this road on your Must-Ride list.

From there, I rode out to Lake Wenatchee. The road eventually runs out into a tee intersection with Hwy 207. I took a right thinking that the road went through. It does, but I was soon to discover not on my machine. Once I cleared Lake Wenatchee, the road narrowed, then narrowed again. I kept riding and riding and got the distinct impression I had left civilization behind. Finally, a couple in a Subaru came along. I flagged them down and asked if the road went all the way through to Stevens Pass. They said it did, but I wouldn't want to go on my bike as it was a pretty rough forestry service road. They suggested I turn around and head back on 207.

Back tracking, I really kind of hate it. But, this time wasn't going to be too bad. As I was making my way back to the highway, I had caught back up with the couple in the Subaru. As I was putting along behind them, I noticed the women in the passenger seat unhook her seat belt. Then she pulls her shirt off and climbs over the front seat and starts rummaging through a bag in the bag. Wholly cow! Next thing I knew, I was all the way back at the highway. Thank you, Unabashed Subaru Passenger, you made the back track fun.

My little excursion into God's country used up quite a bit of fuel, so I pulled into the Shell station where 207 meets 2. After a quick fill-up, I beat feet for the other side of the pass. My next stop would be the trailhead for the Iron Goat Trail.



The ride up over the hump was probably the most peaceful run, yet. I literally was all alone most of the way. Usually there are cars and trucks racing up on you trying to get around. Being Saturday, I guess all the people were on the other side heading East. Talk about a reverse commute, just on a grand scale!

I pulled into the trailhead parking lot and hopped off just long enough to clean my visor, stretch my legs, and use the facilities. From there, I headed down the Old Cascade Highway that parallels Hwy 2. Does anyone know what the speed limit is on this road? I can't seem to find a sign anywhere. This bit of roadway snakes through the forest and is a total joy to ride. Even if you're in a bad mood, a quick run down this road will lighten your spirits. Do it... often!

One of my objectives on this trip was to try and find another route home along 2. You see, more times than not, Sunday night finds Hwy 2 to be a damned parking lot from Baring on into Sultan and Monroe. I've got far better things to do than walk my bike down the highway. The last time I got caught on the highway, it was pretty hot out. It was then that I decided to find an alternate route.

Here's what I came up with:



Hop off at Index and head into downtown. After you cross the bridge, head to the second stop sign and turn left. Go to the end and turn left again. At the intersection, turn right and don't stop until you get to Goldbar. Yes, the fabled Reiter Road. I've heard of it many times, but had never been on it. This road winds all along the hillsides along Hwy 2. This road makes for an excellent alternative to quick-walking your scooter on 2 when it gets backed up. At the end of Reiter, I decide to hook over to May Creek Road. This road is the one that will take you back into Goldbar.

You then have to hop back onto 2, but just for a little bit:



Your next turn will be onto Kellogg Lake Road, a right-hander. This road will take you out to Sultan Basin Road. Take a left and follow that road back into Sultan. This will get you by the majority of the traffic. Not all of it, but it beats sitting in the hot sun. For those that live South, you can hop off at the stop light in Sultan and catch Ben Howard out to 203. For those that live North, catch Old Owen at the Red Apple (I think) and head North. That's the way I went.

All and all, it was a great ride. I brought my camera to take some pictures, but ended up not shooting any. The day was made for riding, and that's just what I did. Thanks for coming along on my adventure and hope you find the alternates useful.