eric

National Forest Road 25 - Mt. Saint Helen's
by Eric Anderson


The Road

National Forest Road 25 makes up most of the 64 mile stretch between Randle and Cougar and is likely the longest stretch of almost uninterrupted stretch of twisties in the state. NF 25 is the heart of some of the best riding you'll find anywhere and days could be spent exploring the nearby roads. Although a little bumpy on the North half of the road, it's still a blast and the bottom half is as good as it gets.



Make sure to gas up in Randle and top it off before you head out! Follow the signs to St. Helen's/Windy Ridge and head over the bridge across from the gas station. You'll have some straights to get through as you pass through some farms but it's only a few miles to the entrance to the park, as you head South on 25, there will be a sign on your right which will alert you if the road is closed or washed out.

As soon as you enter the park, the road leaves farmland and enters the forest and it doesn't take long to get fun. You'll hit a few sweepers and a couple tighter corners as the road winds past an info station and some camping sites. 8 miles after entering the National Forest and the road gets very tight and the corners don't stop till you get to Cougar. As you fly by Iron Creek Picnic area get ready for a sharp right hand corner followed by a few switchbacks. These corners set the tone for the road for the next 10 miles as you head toward Windy Ridge.




As you negotiate the tight corners and often bumpy pavement you'll climb higher and closer to the crater of St. Helen's. Soon you'll come to the turnoff for National Forest Road 99 which takes you up Windy Ridge to very near the crater. This road usually opens in Mid-May at the earliest but is a blast when it's open. The road is open and has great pavement and the views at the end are spectacular. Even on weekends traffic doesn't get to heavy here or anywhere on NF25 for that matter unlike SR 504 across the valley.

Continuing on past Windy Ridge, the road gets better as it smooths out. The Southern half of 25 is in a rockier area and there are fewer trees with big roots that mess up the road. Smoother corners invite higher speeds but be careful; the flip side of fewer trees is that there is often rocks in the road. Thankfully most of the corners are open enough to spot trouble ahead. 11 miles after passing Windy Ridge and you get a break from the tight corners with a few gentle sweepers and some straights. It's tempting to make a high-speed run here but visibility isn't great, there are hidden driveways (this is the only development on the road) and the Rangers can give you tickets... so don't do it.



After the straights you are nearing the end of NF 25. The last section has the best hairpins on the ride, very smooth and because it's a young growth forest you can see through the corners to look for traffic or other dangers. This is good because there is a huge elk population in the area. I've yet to hit this road on a weekday without seeing at least one on the road here. Be on the lookout because hitting one of these large animals at speed will destroy any bike.

Soon you'll come up to the Pine Creek Information Station and the end of NF25 where you have a choice, Take a right on National Forest Road 90 towards Cougar or take a left to Curly Creek Road and Wind River Road. I'd at least make a side trip up Curly Creek Rd. Just follow the bumpy NF90 for a few miles and hang a right up the hill. Curly Creek is an absolute blast, 5 miles of high-speed uphill sweepers. Moving on past Pine Creek on NF90, you hit a long stretch of hairpins and s-curves as you twist along the Swift Reservoir. NF 90 is awesome on weekdays but the weekends will bring in boater traffic.


You'll head into Cougar where you have a chance to grab some premium (unless they're out) and take a break. From here you can turn around and head home or continue past Cougar on to 503 which has some great corners of its own, although you do pass a State Patrol office so LEO presence is heavy.


For more on this road, including more photos, maps and downloads, please click here.


Getting Here

From the Portland/Vancouver area you can either catch SR 503 from I-5 in Woodland or take SR 500 from Vancouver West where it turns into 503 and just stay on that. From the Seattle area you can either catch I-5 all the way down to hwy 12 and head East to Randle, or take hwy 7 South till it meets with 12 and head East from there. From Yakima and the east side, just take hwy 12 West all the way into Randle.


Alternate Routes

There are tons of great roads in the area. Windy Ridge is a must if it's open. Hwy 7 is a fun way to get to NF25 from the North end. On the south side of 25 there are a handful of roads that you have to hit. As mentioned above, the detour to hit Curly Creek Road is worth the extra 25 miles. Curly Creek is uphill, fast, smooth corners and I usually go up and down twice if I have enough gas (Click here for a picture). SR 503 is a fun and very well maintained road. If you came to 25 from Vancouver you already hit it, but those coming from the North may want to extend their ride a little further so they can experience this road (click here for a picture).

Distances

Randle to Cougar
64 miles

Vancouver to Randle
107 miles

Seattle to Cougar via hwy 7
170 miles


More Photos































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yama

Another nice road review. Good job, Eric !

Djoplin

Nice eric..
We need to do that one this year when I have 2 good tires on..

anyexcuse2ride

very nice, PS got the new pipe installed and the power commander

JW

Curly creek , and wind river are a hoot to ride on ,fun stuff

CpjMech

Great write up Eric. Deff a must do!! Yeah, watch out for the elk

pewcky

I've only heard great things about this ride. After reading your write up its a must this summer. Thanks for posting it.

RVFR

Not to bad my friend...

Bat Bike

Yes! This is one of my all time favorite rides and maybe the best stretch of road in the state. It is best enjoyed mid-week when the camper traffic is gone. Nice description Eric, but let's not tell TOO many people about this one!

andreyseven

When I lived in Portland, this was the only road I went on, it's beautiful, twisty, and clear of traffic.

RVFR

Just a couple side notes to add in..

1. At around mile marker 21 thats like two miles past the 99 cut off to windy ridge. there's a huge frost heave that will launch you. you'll see the first one make an adjustment but there's second one in less than 100' feet that's a killer.

2. The area now is seeing logging in the north section of the road. So it's a bit dirty and they do mark it, sorta, best be on the look out. That and there's a couple new sections of gravel that is not marked. again this road demands your total attention! Ride smart and you'll have a blast.

marklprice

stupid question from a transplanted Canadian...

when is the road open for riding? how early in the year? On a sportbike...

Cheers!

eric

Road opens in late May or early June typically, it is open now. By mid-June it is usually pretty clear and dry.

TGAS-TT

Thanks for the Info Bro..

RVFR

Still think this should be a "J" road

eric

Road update as of 6/25/08:

From the North end you can ride it until NF 99 (Windy Ridge.) From the South end it's gated at about the junction of NF 93, so you still can't go over the entire thing. As much snow as there is right now on Elk pass they don't expect it to open until Mid-July and Windy Ridge may not open until the end of July.... the latest openings in years.

Motophotog

Yeah. Didnt help that they got that random 2 feet of snow a few weeks back.

Nicegy525

UPDATE

The road up to Windy Ridge is Closed until further notice due to an entire section has been washed out. Windy Ridge is still open to hikers or bicycles since those trails are unharmed, but vehicle access is blocked.

The roads from Randle to Cougar are still open and in good shape.

dcjens

I made this ride twice this summer! great write up! This ride and N Cascade hwy are the best.

Y2K

Nice review of my back yard.