Ohanepecosh 2 passes loop

There are two long climbs on this route and almost no flat. The ride pace and duration listed envisions climbing at about 2000'/hour rather than at any particular speed.

This ride will start at Ohanapecosh Campground on Hwy. 123, climb up Cayuse Pass, on to Chinook Pass, descend into eastern Washington until we meet Hwy 12, then back over White Pass and back to Ohanapecosh on Hwy. 123. Distance is 115 miles, with 8000' of climbing. This is a long ride into sometimes lonely country. Bring large water bottles or a Camelbak and food to eat on the bike. Also tubes, pump, and all the self-sufficiency necessaries.

Steady rain in Eastern Washington cancels. If the weather only looks iffy west of the passes, but reasonable in Eastern Washington, we will ride. Cooler is better, anyway.

We may be riding in clouds as we climb toward Chinook Pass. You must have both a good tail light and a forward blinkie or headlight. The Park Service may turn you back if it's cloudy and you do not have both lights.

Food and rest stops: There are only two stops for food and water, one at Whistlin’ Jacks (mile 43) and the other at Trout Lodge restaurant (mile 76). Here we will take some time to rest a bit and re-fuel. The only other services on the route are at the top of White Pass. Have adequate on-bike resources to fuel and hydrate yourself in between. There is little cell phone service on this route.

Regroups will be at the two rest stops and at the tops of the passes. There are restrooms just past the top of Chinook Pass. We will wait a reasonable amount of time but in the interest of the group we will not wait an extended period of time, so be prepared to ride solo. This ride is both challenging and rewarding. Riders should have successfully completed at least a century ride, before attempting this. There are no bailout options after Chinook Pass. Expect this to be an all day adventure.

We will meet to carpool at the South Bellevue P&R, 2700 Bellevue Way SE, at 6:30, leaving at 7:00, or be at the parking lot at Ohanapecosh around 9:00, start riding at 9:30. Park and meet in the equipment yard parking lot. Turn right off the highway into the Ohanapecosh campground area, then turn left immediately toward the equipment yard, rather than going into the campground proper. There are flush toilets on the way to the campground (right turn instead of left). This is a beautiful ride. Car-to-car time will be 9+ hours. Fast riders may finish in less time. Driving time from Seattle to Ohanapecosh is 2-1/2 hrs. or a bit less.