Seattle Forrest

I took my bike out to explore some of the back roads between the sound and the Cascades this weekend. On Saturday, I went to Monroe and did a loop to Sultan and back; on Sunday I went to the outskirts of Issaquah and did a loop to Black Diamond, going by the Green River Gorge.

Saturday was a great ride. Half the trip had mountain views, or went through woods with steep hill sides near the road; the other half showed farm land. It was very scenic. It was also pretty easy, but I wanted a change of pace, and I got it. Sunday was a bit less scenic, but there were more hills and curves, and it was also a nice ride. Plus, I've never rode a bike in either of these places, so the experience let me draw on my map.

Here are some - a lot of - pictures from the two rides. Some of them are good, and some are kind of lousy.

This was the start of the ride. I crossed the busy road (US 2) but didn't follow it.



I think this was a water treatment plant. With moss growing on the roof.



Farm country.





There was no shoulder, but for the most part, there was no traffic.







Here's a view of the valley leading toward Steven's Pass.

Seattle Forrest

This was right before a fun descent.



And this was the end of the curvy run down the hill.



The little town of Sultan.





All weekend, it looked like it would start to rain and pour any second. But it never did. Apparently I missed out on some actual sunlight in Seattle.



Temperate rain forest - look at all the moss on the trees!





The Skykomish River.

Seattle Forrest

Here are some pics from the trip I took through the Green River Gorge and Black Diamond.

A tree farm.









I did a short ride on a dirt and gravel path to get here.





Even bombing down the hill, the sound of rushing water filled my ears as I came into the gorge area and toward the chasm.





I shot this one trying to get the small waterfall near the top in the frame with the bigger one toward the bottom.

duckbill

It looks like spring is well on its way in your area. Nice photo quality for such a dull day. I ended up indoors on the trainer because the north wind was blowing a chill factor of - 15 C.
Thanks for sharing.

Mayday328

Nice pics. It looks like some beautiful riding.

K. Olsen

love the scenery!

skoobywrx

do you have this route mapped out somewhere?

Rob13

Awesome!!!

Seattle Forrest

Yeah. Are you local? I've got the files from my Garmin, and will be putting them on my personal map tonight. I've also got cue sheets ... if you live close enough to want to check these out, I can dig them up and post the directions. If that's why you ask, I'd recommend the Monroe to Sultan and back ride over the other one, and it was mostly Old Owen Road, and Ben Howard Road.

hendrick81

Great pics. Thanks for sharing.

skoobywrx

yeah, sorry, shouldve mentioned it. I'm in Burien, so just a drive to get to Monroe.

Nice pics btw!