Another Tour - this time to Lake Chelan
07-02-18, 03:44 AM
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Another Tour - this time to Lake Chelan
I just got home from a week long bike tour to Lake Chelan in the Central Cascade Mtns
Leaving early from home on Sunday Morning, my first 50 miles were on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail (a.k.a. Iron Horse Trail). This wonderful route over Snoqualmie Pass has been described in detail before - all gravel, tunnels, lightly populated with hikers n bikers.
There is something special about being able to ride the first 50 miles of my tour on this rail trail by NBend, on Flickr
I had BBQ for lunch in South Cle Elum at the trailhead
I have a tremendous pulled pork sandwich for lunch trailside in Cle Elum before striking out on Hwy 97 for Bluett Pass by NBend, on Flickr
After eating, I am back on the road, following busy US97 northward. The shoulders are wide and clean though so the riding is fine. I get off the busy highway as soon as the Old Bluett Pass road presents itself. This road is a gem: still open for car traffic, it is in a state of returning back to nature. It is narrow, sometimes only 1 lane wide, many switchbacks, boulders and rocks strewn on the pavement, there’s potholes in places and the shrubs and trees are encroaching onto the road. This discourages most people from driving this route and I only saw two cars the entire time I was on this section of road.
I camped near the summit for the night. A storm front moved in overnight and with it, wind, rain, thunder and lightning. By Monday morning, the sun was back out and the ground was dry so breaking camp was easy and I was soon negotiating the switchbacks down the the pass back to the main Highway.
After camping overnight on top of the Old Bluett Pass, I descend many swithbacks in complete solitude in the Morning by NBend, on Flickr
At the junction with US2 highway, I turn East and follow quiet farm roads to Wenatchee
Riding through orchards on Deadman Hill road by NBend, on Flickr
Then follow US97 along the Columbia River reaching Chelan in the mid afternoon. A campsite is secured in the city park for the night and I go shopping for food supplies to take with me when I take the ferry uplake to the village of Stehekin on Tuesday Morning. This is where the trip gets really interesting.
Leaving early from home on Sunday Morning, my first 50 miles were on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail (a.k.a. Iron Horse Trail). This wonderful route over Snoqualmie Pass has been described in detail before - all gravel, tunnels, lightly populated with hikers n bikers.
There is something special about being able to ride the first 50 miles of my tour on this rail trail by NBend, on FlickrI had BBQ for lunch in South Cle Elum at the trailhead
I have a tremendous pulled pork sandwich for lunch trailside in Cle Elum before striking out on Hwy 97 for Bluett Pass by NBend, on FlickrAfter eating, I am back on the road, following busy US97 northward. The shoulders are wide and clean though so the riding is fine. I get off the busy highway as soon as the Old Bluett Pass road presents itself. This road is a gem: still open for car traffic, it is in a state of returning back to nature. It is narrow, sometimes only 1 lane wide, many switchbacks, boulders and rocks strewn on the pavement, there’s potholes in places and the shrubs and trees are encroaching onto the road. This discourages most people from driving this route and I only saw two cars the entire time I was on this section of road.
I camped near the summit for the night. A storm front moved in overnight and with it, wind, rain, thunder and lightning. By Monday morning, the sun was back out and the ground was dry so breaking camp was easy and I was soon negotiating the switchbacks down the the pass back to the main Highway.
After camping overnight on top of the Old Bluett Pass, I descend many swithbacks in complete solitude in the Morning by NBend, on FlickrAt the junction with US2 highway, I turn East and follow quiet farm roads to Wenatchee
Riding through orchards on Deadman Hill road by NBend, on FlickrThen follow US97 along the Columbia River reaching Chelan in the mid afternoon. A campsite is secured in the city park for the night and I go shopping for food supplies to take with me when I take the ferry uplake to the village of Stehekin on Tuesday Morning. This is where the trip gets really interesting.
07-02-18, 03:46 AM
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Lake Chelan is a narrow and deep lake (1500 ft) that cuts thru the mountains for 55 miles. The Northern half of the lake is very remote - no roads go into this area. The only way to get to Stehekin is by boat, Seaplane, or on foot by multi day hike through the North Cascades National Park.
The bike n I are loaded onto the Lady of the Lake ferry and for the next 4 hours we cruise uplake watching the Mountains rise higher and wilder on each side.
On the ferry up to Stehekin by NBend, on Flickr
P1000084 by NBend, on Flickr
The boat makes a few stops along the way to drop off and pick up freight and passengers.
Few of these stops are at a dock
The waters at Holden Village look like something from the Bahamas by NBend, on Flickr
Views of the North Cascades as we go up lake. by NBend, on Flickr
But sometimes the boat just beaches itself and passengers debark via a ramp off the bow. These folks here were being dropped off at a remote trailhead.
The Boat is designed to be beached, passengers walk a gangplank to the shoreline at a remote trailhead by NBend, on Flickr
We finally reach the upper end of the lake at the village of Stehekin and I set up camp just outside of town.
My campsite at Purple Point by NBend, on Flickr
The bike n I are loaded onto the Lady of the Lake ferry and for the next 4 hours we cruise uplake watching the Mountains rise higher and wilder on each side.
On the ferry up to Stehekin by NBend, on Flickr
P1000084 by NBend, on Flickr
The boat makes a few stops along the way to drop off and pick up freight and passengers.
Few of these stops are at a dock
The waters at Holden Village look like something from the Bahamas by NBend, on Flickr
Views of the North Cascades as we go up lake. by NBend, on Flickr
But sometimes the boat just beaches itself and passengers debark via a ramp off the bow. These folks here were being dropped off at a remote trailhead.
The Boat is designed to be beached, passengers walk a gangplank to the shoreline at a remote trailhead by NBend, on Flickr
We finally reach the upper end of the lake at the village of Stehekin and I set up camp just outside of town.
My campsite at Purple Point by NBend, on Flickr
07-02-18, 03:49 AM
#3
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The views from my camp were amazing and constantly changing given the persistent winds that blow out of the Stehekin Valley
The sun sets low over the the lake by NBend, on Flickr
The sunset from my campsite by NBend, on Flickr
There is one road up here: 13 miles long, it ends inside the North Cascades National Park. A shuttle bus runs back in forth on this road letting people off at popular trailheads and attractions.
Shuttle run up and down the 13 miles on the only road in the Stehekin dropping passengers off at trailheads by NBend, on Flickr
There are bikes for rent up here and many choose to ride to get around. I did the same, on my bike of course.
My bike rests by NBend, on Flickr
My favorite home in Stehekin by NBend, on Flickr
The old schoolhouse by NBend, on Flickr
High Bridge near the end of the road by NBend, on Flickr
But I mostly hiked while I was there. I burned my legs out hiking up the Purple Pass trail on Wednesday but man the views were worth it
Artsy Filter on photo looking South by NBend, on Flickr
The sun sets low over the the lake by NBend, on Flickr
The sunset from my campsite by NBend, on Flickr
There is one road up here: 13 miles long, it ends inside the North Cascades National Park. A shuttle bus runs back in forth on this road letting people off at popular trailheads and attractions.
Shuttle run up and down the 13 miles on the only road in the Stehekin dropping passengers off at trailheads by NBend, on Flickr
There are bikes for rent up here and many choose to ride to get around. I did the same, on my bike of course.
My bike rests by NBend, on Flickr
My favorite home in Stehekin by NBend, on Flickr
The old schoolhouse by NBend, on Flickr
High Bridge near the end of the road by NBend, on Flickr
But I mostly hiked while I was there. I burned my legs out hiking up the Purple Pass trail on Wednesday but man the views were worth it
Artsy Filter on photo looking South by NBend, on Flickr
Last edited by northbend; 07-02-18 at 03:56 AM.
07-02-18, 03:55 AM
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Purple Pass trail looking North by NBend, on Flickr
The next morning, Thursday I woke up very sore, my calves were screaming from all the climbing and descending on Purple Pass. I decided to hike 8 miles along the Lakeside Trail.
Lakeside trail by NBend, on Flickr
Holden Village in the distance by NBend, on Flickr
The huckleberries were everywhere along the trail. My hands and face were purple by the time I got back to camp from all my grazing
Huckleberries are ripe for the pick'n on the lakeside trail by NBend, on Flickr
On Friday, it was time to pack up and head down to the dock for the boat ride back to civilization.
After 3 days of hiking, my legs are trashed and I am happy. But it's time to begin the ride home.. by NBend, on Flickr
Here comes my ride…
My ship has arrived by NBend, on Flickr
Goodbye Stehekin by NBend, on Flickr
I got off the boat at Fields Point, the northernmost point on the lake serviced by roads and from there, made my way to Chelan State Park to camp and rest up for the long ride back in the morning. After several days of quiet, it was quite jarring to hear all the noise at this popular park. I didn’t sleep all that well and I woke up on Saturday with a sore neck. My neck would continue to spasm on me all day on Saturday as I rode on. I couldn’t look down or up without sharp pain. I retraced my route back over to Cle Elum as the weather began to look ominous as I neared town
Sauk Prairie and the weather begins to close in by NBend, on Flickr
I decided to get a room at a BnB located beside the trail I would be taking home for the night thinking a soft bed and pillow after a long soak in the hot tub would help my neck.
After riding all day with neck spasms, I check into this BnB next to the Iron Horse Trail in Cle Elum by NBend, on Flickr
The neck was a little better on Sunday morning, I slept in and got a late start for home. This is my home stretch - a trail I am very familiar with. I watch my posture to avoid hurting my neck.
One last stop, this time for lunch at Snoqualmie Pass
Almost home..I make the detour at Hyak for Lunch at the DRUBRU brewery at the summit by NBend, on Flickr
I got home around 4:30 Sunday, dinner and bed soon afterwards. I’ll unpack in the morning. But what the heck? Why can’t I sleep?
Guess that’s why you’re seeing me post this at 2am
Cheers
Last edited by northbend; 07-02-18 at 04:05 AM.
07-02-18, 04:22 AM
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Nice. Thanks for sharing your trip, makes me want to move back to the PNW. Lived out there for a couple of years between Portland Or and Longview Wa. I spent a lot of time camping and hiking around Mt St Helen and the Pacific coast. Nothing else like it in the US.
07-02-18, 09:44 AM
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Great pics, sent you an email about a guy who is planning to do that ride later this year with some additions.
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07-02-18, 09:52 AM
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I love your pictures, and I love your state. Maybe one day I'll take a bike tour there.
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07-02-18, 06:16 PM
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What a magnificent little tour!
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07-02-18, 06:29 PM
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Saw your pic in the Show Your Mug thread, and my reaction was "that's not a tan you got in June anywhere west of the Cascades".
Glad to know the backstory.
Great trip and even better report.
Too bad about the PM thundershowers and the neck.
Makes me want to go backpacking - for days. Without the bike. When it warms up around here.
Glad to know the backstory.
Great trip and even better report.
Too bad about the PM thundershowers and the neck.
Makes me want to go backpacking - for days. Without the bike. When it warms up around here.
07-03-18, 12:38 AM
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Does that ever look like a fun credit-card tour 
DD
DD
07-03-18, 01:25 AM
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From where I'm sitting; retirement looks pretty damn good. 
Thanks for showing us the way, Matt! I'm going to try to do it without the neck spasms, though.
When I'm having chronic neck and shoulder troubles, I do a dead drop hang from the chin bar I installed in my shop's ceiling. Twenty or thirty seconds, three or four times a day. It straightens me out pretty quick You may have noticed it when you were last at the hotel in May. Might not be the trick for you, but it could be worth a shot.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/WkbEag]
Thanks for showing us the way, Matt! I'm going to try to do it without the neck spasms, though.
When I'm having chronic neck and shoulder troubles, I do a dead drop hang from the chin bar I installed in my shop's ceiling. Twenty or thirty seconds, three or four times a day. It straightens me out pretty quick You may have noticed it when you were last at the hotel in May. Might not be the trick for you, but it could be worth a shot.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/WkbEag]
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 07-03-18 at 11:57 AM.
07-03-18, 08:56 AM
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Thank you so much for allowing us to vicariously share your rides. I enjoy every one of your posts.
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