North Cascades ride report - Barlow Pass

[Nimh]

Moderators - I wasn't sure where the best place to put this was, so move it if you like.

Last night I did the first oil change on my DRZ, and had planned to either meet up with a riding buddy or tag along with some guys from ADVrider, but things for various reasons didn't work out.  The weather looked nice enough, and it was either go exploring on the recently broken-in bike, or work in the yard.  Hmmmm... easy choice.

I headed Northeast of Everett, WA up the Mountain Loop Highway through Granite Falls, and up toward Barlow Pass and Monte Cristo.  It's an old mining settlement established in the late 1880's and there are a number of forest service roads heading off the pavement from the highway. 

The South Fork of the Stilliguamish River - maybe a few days too early for a swim.



Entering the park, across from the ranger station, a slice of log 700 years old.


Parking lot for Big Four Ice Caves - a current high avalanche danger meant the lot was nearly empty.  A month from now you'll have to wait for a spot to park.   



I ran down a few forest service roads, but most were blocked by either fallen trees or washed out. 





I was sweating bullets here.  Off road riding is much more difficult than I remember.  As I was bouncing off rocks ranging from softball to bowling ball size, I was thinking... is this going to be a photo op of making it, or the first drop?  I got really lucky.


The road to Monte Cristo.  I'm not sure what they're trying to say.  Subtle.


This snowbank is still blocking the Mountain Loop to Darrington.


Too bad they piled it here, as just beyond looks totally ridable, and is mostly downhill.  I can hardly wait.


I came home to find the last of the farkles I had ordered waiting for me on the doorstep.  Not a bad way to end a great little ride.  The only hiccup in the entire journey was my new Corbin seat.  I've heard many times these things take some time to break-in, but MAN that thing is a slab.  I hope it loosens up.

[Sport-Touring]

[bizarro]

You have two of my dream bikes. Looks like it was a total blast.

[kurtw]

Looks like a great ride! Well done on the pics and report!  

I was sweating bullets here.  Off road riding is much more difficult than I remember.  As I was bouncing off rocks ranging from softball to bowling ball size, I was thinking... is this going to be a photo op of making it, or the first drop?  I got really lucky.

Haha, glad you stopped for photos. In those situations, I usually just grit my teeth and keep the momentum going, fearing that stopping for a picture of the gnarly trail will throw off my survival riding  

[Albie]

Have to give you props for your self control. I've been known to go around those gates.  

[Nimh]

Haha, glad you stopped for photos. In those situations, I usually just grit my teeth and keep the momentum going, fearing that stopping for a picture of the gnarly trail will throw off my survival riding  

Survival riding - I like that.  Yeah, that fits.  

Have to give you props for your self control. I\'ve been known to go around those gates.  

This is one that would hardly be worth it being only a few miles.  Solid rock walls on either side of the gate and the road is pretty well contaminated with arsenic from all the mining.  There\'s also some pretty unfriendly residents with private property along the route.  

Now the road currently blocked by the snow bank, that will be a good the time.