Download the 2009 RAW Ride Guide (PDF)
Sat Aug 1: Ride bus, Seattle to start line
You can get yourself to the start line or catch the Bus, leaving Seattle's Magnuson Park at 2:00 p.m., arrive La Conner approx 4:00 p.m. Dinner is on your own at one of La Conner's fabulous eateries. Free overnight camping. On Saturday evening, as with each evening during the ride, there will be a mandatory evening riders meeting. Check the welcome board at the information tent for the exact time. Then it’s early to bed to be prepared for Day 1!
Day 1: Sun, Aug. 2
La Conner to Newhalem: 75 miles
RAW 2009’s route opens with a short trip across the Skagit River delta to the city of Mt. Vernon. With the sea behind us and the mountains ahead, this will be a great day to get the feel of the road. Once through town, we’ll wind our way through the evergreen trees along the less travelled south side of the Skagit River. Check out the thick carpet of ferns, moss and other vegetation on the forest floor. We’ll cross the river and join the North Cascades Highway in the town of Concrete. The route remains relatively level as we pass through Rockport and Marblemount. Arriving in Newhalem, will cap of a great first day. Total climbing will be less than 1,500 feet. The town of Newhalem was constructed by Seattle City Light to house the workers at Diablo and Ross dams and the power generating station. You’ll be impressed by the impressive rock formations which appear to jut out of the valley floor.
Day 2: Mon, Aug. 3
Newhalem to Twisp: 84 miles
RAW will begin the day continuing east on Highway 20. Leaving Newhalem will see the climbing begin in earnest. As we enter the Ross Lake National Recreation Area we’ll ride past Gorge, Diablo and Ross Lakes. Once past Ross Lake, we’ll follow Ruby Creek and then Granite Creek to its headwaters at Rainy Pass. At 4,855 feet, Rainy Pass is the first of two mountain passes. Once over Rainy Pass we’ll descend for a distance giving us a rest. Pretty soon though, the climbing resumes as we scale the 5,744 foot Washington Pass. The vegetation will be showing fewer, smaller trees. The ground will be covered with the brush which makes up an alpine meadow. The views of the surrounding mountains and deep valleys is nothing short of spectacular. Once over the pass, we’ll have a joyous 30 mile descent into Winthrop and onto Twisp, our campsite for the next two nights. Be sure to check out the old American western design motif as you pass through Winthrop. The climate will warm and the air will become dryer.
D
ay 3: Tues, Aug. 4
Twisp to Twisp: 0 - 40 miles
You’ll have several options during this layover-day. You can stretch out your climbing legs on a 36-mile out and back ride up to the summit of Loup Loup Pass. A second riding option, back through Winthrop and up the Chewuch River valley, will offer a more relaxed riding day. The 40-mile out and back route will provide great views and gentler slopes. Other options include riding or walking around town, (enjoying the Twisp Brew Pub!), sharing war stories with other riders in camp, getting a massage or getting some additional rest.
Day 4: Wed, Aug. 5
Twisp to Coulee Dam: 93 miles
Cycling east and south out of Twisp along to Methow River toward Pateros and the Columbia River, we’ll enjoy a morning of riding downhill and on the flat. As the climate continues to become more arid, notice the stark differences between the green irrigated orchards and the dry natural vegetation. The native trees have all but disappeared. There will also be a dramatic change in geology. The Cascade mountains, which we just cross were formed by the earth folding and uplifting. The black columnar basalt, you’ll see around you, is a result of layer upon layer of lava flowing out over most of eastern Washington. At Pateros, we’ll make a left onto US 97 and head north to Brewster where we’ll cross the Columbia and continue east through Bridgeport. Here will be our uphill for the day. Averaging at about 2% we’ll climb out of the Columbia valley and over a plateau before we descend back down to the Columbia at Grand Coulee Dam. Our camp will be in the town of Coulee Dam within walking distance of a view point where you can watch a laser light show play on the face of the dam.
Day 5: Thurs, Aug. 6
Coulee Dam to Fort Spokane: 56 miles
Day 5 will start out with climbing back out of the Columbia River to the dry land wheat fields of eastern Washington. As you climb you can see Lake Roosevelt which fills the river gorge from the dam to the Canadian border. Once you reach the top of the hill, you’ll see the road “continue straight” 12 miles into the distance. At US 2 we’ll make a left and go through the town of Wilbur. Past Wilbur we’ll leave the main highway and work our way down the Miles Creston road, past Welch Creek, heading for Fort Spokane at the confluence of the Spokane River and the Columbia. Established in 1882, Fort Spokane was turned over to the Colville Indian Agency in 1898.
Day 6: Fri, Aug. 7
Fort Spokane to Kettle Falls: 64 miles
Alas, all good things must come to an end. The final day of RAW will reinvigorate you with a scenic ride along the Columbia. The road stays near the river for a large majority of the day. We’ll be able stop at beaches and enjoy the sun and warm weather. In Kettle Falls we will find our way to our campsite located in and around the foundations of the old town which was moved up hill when Grand Coulee Dam was built. The name Kettle Falls comes from the kettle like nets which native Americans used to catch fish at the falls which now lie beneath the water.
Day 7: Sat, Aug. 8
Kettle Falls to Seattle
Enjoy a breakfast snack and a hot shower, then choose to either board the bus at 9am (for a fee), or make your own way back to Seattle.
Note - Route is subject to change - please download a copy of the RAW Ride Guide in March for further information, including training tips.
Questions? Send an email.
