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View Full Version : 1st Annual Barlow Pass/Monte Cristo Climb - 6/28/08




mattm
06-26-08, 05:34 PM
(i'm not associated with the ride, but it sounds like fun and i might check it out. anyone been up to monte cristo?

forwarded email pasted below)

Would you like to do an ‘easy’ mountain pass? At your own speed? On new pavement? With cheering spectators?

The Mountain Loop Experience Committee would like as many cyclists as possible to help support its celebration of the reopening of Mountain Loop Hwy. This is a tri-cities effort by Darrington, Arlington and Granite Falls. We will climb from Granite Falls, elevation 452 feet, to the end of the newly paved Mtn. Loop Hwy at Monte Cristo over Barlow Pass at 2,361 feet above sea level. There is a ribbon cutting ceremony at the pass at 12 noon.

Since there is no set pace, you are welcome to join us if you are comfortable doing a fairly long climb up not that steep a road.

Activities and refreshments are planned in the area. Details follow:

First Annual Barlow Pass/Monte Cristo Climb
Start Date/Time: 6/28/08, 09:00AM
Start Location: Granite Falls High School, 1401 Burn Rd/1401 100th St N.E.
Directions to common starting points

URL (for more info): http://www.cascade.org/EandR/Activities_Calendar_RDetail.cfm?eventID=10589


Recurrence: None/NA
Distance: ~70-71
Pace: NA
Unsure what the pace or terrain means? Check here (http://www.cascade.org/EandR/Ride_Classifications.cfm).

Terrain: Hilly
Map Available: Yes
Regroup: None/NA
Weather Cancels: Steady rain cancels
Ride Description:
The Mountain Loop Experience Committee would like as many cyclists as possible to help support its celebration of the reopening of Mountain Loop Hwy. This is a tri-cities effort by Darrington, Arlington and Granite Falls. We will climb from Granite Falls, elevation 452 feet, to the end of the newly paved Mtn. Loop Hwy at Monte Cristo over Barlow Pass at 2,361 feet above sea level. Barlow Pass was named for J.Q. Barlow who surveyed a route up the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River for the Everett & Monte Cristo Ry in 1891-92. This was also the site of the Barlow Pass Ranger Station. If you wish, at your sole option and responsibility, you can hike the trail to the Old Monte Cristo town site, a 4-mile dirt road to Monte Cristo that mountain bikes can traverse. The road follows the old railroad grade so it is an easy family walk. We will begin the ride at the brand new GF High School. Depart SR-9 on SR-92 heading East; turn left (NW) on 84th St NE [Getchell Rd], and then turn right (N) on 163rd Ave NE and right (E) on 100th St NE [also n/a Burn Rd]. We will leave promptly at 9:00 a.m. in order to get to the ribbon cutting ceremony by 12 noon. You will ride at your own level, and there will be no sweep. This will not be a stay together ride, but you will be provided a cue sheet. Be at the start by 8:30 a.m. If you feel you need to start even earlier, I will provide you a cue sheet and sign in at 8:30 a.m. as MLEC and CBC want to encourage you to do this ride. The ride is an “up” and “down” route, with some side roads to/from the High School. Since there is no set pace, you are welcome to join us if you are comfortable doing a fairly long climb up not that steep a road. Be sure to come prepared for weather changes in a mountain environment and bring food. There will be fun activities in the area on the day of the ride. Information about the event will be posted on MLEC’s web site when it is ready. Background about the Mountain Loop Hwy can be found at http://www.visitoldgrowth.com/MtnLoopHiway.htm.

cyclenewbie
06-26-08, 10:46 PM
I'll be there....with my dad!! It should a pretty cool ride. And if all goes well, maybe it will turn into an annual event!!

Bekologist
06-27-08, 06:27 AM
thats a very nice ride. the biggest 'climb' and most tedious stretch of road on that ride is the big hill between Granite Falls and Verlot, once you get to the Forest Service outpost you've done most of the serious grade and the rest of the ride is a gradual ascent up some VERY pretty country.

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9oGF-giOv8&feature=related

or some of my other videos of clips of the mountain loop highway.

pmseattle
06-27-08, 03:08 PM
thats a very nice ride. the biggest 'climb' and most tedious stretch of road on that ride is the big hill between Granite Falls and Verlot, once you get to the Forest Service outpost you've done most of the serious grade and the rest of the ride is a gradual ascent up some VERY pretty country.

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9oGF-giOv8&feature=related

or some of my other videos of clips of the mountain loop highway.

One of the best rides in the PNW. Riding back from Barlow Pass to Verlot in the early afternoon on a sunny day is an ethereal experience.

cohophysh
06-27-08, 10:55 PM
I have been on the route and even had access up to the original mining town of monte cristo. Great place, unfortunately, I was face down in the river counting fish!

mattm
06-30-08, 03:10 PM
i made it out for this - what a ride! 45 miles from seattle to granite falls, then 70 miles on the ride, then 45 back. it was a long day for sure (5 am to 7:30 pm)

some photos:

heading up the pass, i took a break at a 700-year-old tree stump:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2621499412_c16706f91e.jpg


i got a little sunburned, but i'll take that over rain any day. the climb up to the top was pretty easy most of the way, but i couldn't get to monte cristo b/c of the debris from an avalanche:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2621499466_a707d2bd61.jpg

i tried to walk through the newly-plowed path, but it was too slushy, and went on for at least 100 feet - so i turned around. here's a close-up of it though:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/2621527882_263f31b150.jpg


more photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98486054@N00/sets/72157605902296002/

mattm
06-30-08, 03:18 PM
btw here's a map of the route from granite falls to monte cristo, with an elevation profile: http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=15175

the_reign_man
06-30-08, 09:12 PM
Hey Matt - thanks for posting this ride here... I found it and switched my plans for going up and over Snoqualmie via I90 and man was that a good decision. Did Woodinville -> Barlow with a friend - *really* nice ride. I saw you waiting across from the Ranger Station - thought I'd see you and introduce myself up at Barlow but I didn't see you before heading back. Catch you another ride...