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2/3/09: Tour is SOLD OUT!
Thursday, May 28
We meet the first night on the shore of Lake Chelan and get to know each other over dinner and a briefing meeting.
Friday, May 29 - 85 miles– approximately 5500’
We start off riding along the scenic Columbia River. From there we wind our way gently up the beautiful Methow Valley to the base of Loup Loup Pass. Climbing the western slope through farmland and pine forests, we get up to 4,000’ and enjoy a beautiful descent down to Okanogan and Omak where we will spend the night.
Saturday, May 30 - 70 miles– approximately 4200’
We’ll take it a little easier on the second day, following the Okanogan River up to Tonasket. From Tonasket, we will climb little known Wauconda Pass up to 4300 feet. The climb is gradual, through pines and open meadows. We only descend part way down the pass to the tiny town of Republic, an old mining town, where we’ll stay for the night.
Sunday, May 31 - 70 miles– approximately 3600’
This day starts with a lovely descent down the Sanpoil River Valley, through ranches, forest lands, and the Colville Indian Reservation to the town of Keller and an arm of Roosevelt Lake. Just past Keller, we start one of our steepest but shortest climbs - up Manila Creek Road. This road climbs through pine forests to an elevation of 3300 feet, meanders across a plateau for a few miles, then plunges down to the Columbia River, affording panoramic views of the valley north of the Coulee Dam. The descent brings us shortly into the town of Coulee Dam where we will stay at one of our favorite motels at the foot of the dam.
Monday, June 1 - 88 miles– approximately 3800’
After a steep climb alongside the dam to the top, we leave the Columbia River once again to follow Banks Lake to Coulee City and Dry Falls State Park, the location of one of the most magnificent geologic formations outside of our famous volcanoes. We then climb a little further above the Columbia River Valley to a high plateau where ranchlands can be seen extending for miles in all directions. We drop back down to the Columbia River for the last time on McNeil Canyon Road, cross the Columbia River, and make one final climb up to Chelan. Here we’ll say goodbye and each take home fun memories and the feeling of having left the workaday world behind for a few days.
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