Pacific Northwest - Carbonado and HWY 165
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smurf hunter
09-04-08, 01:43 PM
Anyone have experience riding the route up to Carbonado and beyond?
Obviously it's got some climbing, but what's the grade like, how nice is the surface of the road etc?
I like the idea of making a 50-60 route from my place in Auburn, but if this is an epic climb (sustained slope > 10%) then I might not do it often.
Any thoughts or experiences are appreciated.
-Sean
Well worth doing. The grade isn't that bad at all. The steepest hill you hit will be coming up Kersey onto the plateau. Once you get past Buckley the road is smooth asphalt with fair decent shoulder. Steady climb out of Wilkeson but not overwhelming. Keep your eye out for some of the good old boys going out 4wheeling who don't care too much for cyclists who will honk and flip you off. Carbanado has a small city park where you can refill your waterbottles. Enjoy the ride.
poppadaddio
09-12-08, 09:54 PM
Keep going, its a spectacular ride.
Just past the bridge, and you'll know the bridge I'm talking about when you pass it, you'll come to a fork in the road. To the left is the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park in 10 miles +/-, to the right it goes up! But then you can turn around and SCREAM all the way back to Wilkeson.
stringbreaker
09-13-08, 12:16 AM
Keep going, its a spectacular ride.
Just past the bridge, and you'll know the bridge I'm talking about when you pass it, you'll come to a fork in the road. To the left is the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park in 10 miles +/-, to the right it goes up! But then you can turn around and SCREAM all the way back to Wilkeson.
That road to the right leads to Mowich lake but its not paved all the way and gets kind of washboard like. If you are on a mtn bike it would be pretty cool but very dusty this time of year. There is a campground at Mowich Lake and some really spectacular hikes. Spray Park is one of my favorite hikes at MRNP.
smurf hunter
09-13-08, 11:16 PM
That road to the right leads to Mowich lake but its not paved all the way and gets kind of washboard like. If you are on a mtn bike it would be pretty cool but very dusty this time of year. There is a campground at Mowich Lake and some really spectacular hikes. Spray Park is one of my favorite hikes at MRNP.
Hmm - I could take the right fork with my Kona Dew. It could handle it with MTB gearing and 32mm marathon's. I've taken this bike on over night camping trips. I'll look into Mowich for week-ender at some point, maybe next spring.