Washington State Hwy 20

[S10Pilot]

My WA Friends,
Anyone ridden Hwy 20 from Burlington to the ID State line? Looks like it might be a good ride. There's some secondary roads all along the path that beg to be explored also.

 

[tomatocity]

Here is a route that can be cleaned up and other stops included.

http://goo.gl/maps/sALk8

 

[markjenn]

This is a major E-W route for the N part of the state. The W end (Burlington to Twisp) is the N Cascades Highway - a very scenic, but heavily used (and patrolled) mountain road accessing North Cascades National Park. It is closed in winter (about Nov-Memorial Day), but because of the major mud slide that occurred a week ago near Oso (very tragic - death toll now expected to be around a hundred) they may try an open it early to improve access to Darrington which is a bit cut off right now.

East of Twisp, it remains a very nice road, although it becomes more rolling and prairie rather than mountainnous. There is another major pass near Republic (Shermann Pass). All the side-roads are typically good....some of my favorite riding is in the back roads in the Colville Indian Reservation E of Omak. There is a very funky cable-ferry which crosses the Lake Roosevelt near Inchelum and the roads in this area are stupendous. Another very well-regarded road is Flowery Trail Road E out of Chewelah.

I'm very familiar with the entire area, so ask specific questions if you want more information.

- Mark

 

[escapefjrtist]

Frequent it often over the summer. Great road to ride once it opens for the year although weekends are busy with RV's.

Take it easy and enjoy the spectacular scenery. You won't be disappointed!

--G

 

[S10Pilot]

Thanks to all for the info. I'll put WA State on my bucket list.
Horrible thing in Oso. My prayers to the victims and their families.

 

[markjenn]

Thanks to all for the info. I'll put WA State on my bucket list.
Horrible thing in Oso. My prayers to the victims and their families.

Yes, the situation in Oso is very very tough on all those involved. Closure is going to take months.

Back to riding, the stuff in the northern half of E. WA is really good, but if you're coming from afar, I'd put NE Oregon on your bucket list before WA. The area around John Day in almost all directions is, IMHO, some of the best overall riding in the world. And there are very few people so many of the roads, you can ride literally for hours without seeing another car.

- Mark