Washington BDR

4.July 2024

I left camp a little late and got on the HWY to the starting point of the Washington BDR after filling up the bike. Well, I didn’t make it all the way to that, because this would have been another 12 miles on the pavement. So, I started at the roundabout going north.

Most of the track runs through the woods and you do not often have the opportunity of a view.

Almost all of the roads where fast flowing and a lot of it also was paved. Still fun though, for some time. Unfortunately, I missed the Ice cave as it is marked on the map but no track guides you to it. My fault, as I had sometimes switched my navigation off, to safe battery.

That way I made it all the way into the 2nd section and stopped early just after the White Pass. I met another rider from Canada who also was in the search of a campground and we teamed up for the task.

We got lucky that in one of the first come, first serve campgrounds was an empty spot because a family paid for it, just to be allowed to park an extra car there. We paid our share for the spot and after a lot of beer talk, had a fairly quite night, despite that it was the 4th of July.

5. July 2024

The usual morning routine, small breakfast, pack up and get going. I went further north and the Canadian continued south. First part of the ride was along an artificial lake and than into the woods again. Just now it was a much less dense forest. Soon the road climbed high enough that you had a great view across the landscape.

After a rocky section was the turn off to a viewpoint which meant go over more rocky parts.

But all of it was worth to do..

The track afterwards was following the rim for a while and along the track are several great camping spots located.

Sometimes there have been short rocky sections, or wash outs, but for the most part it was a decent road.

That way you go down into a valley and back up to the next ridge to start the same all over again. Just now the track stays longer in the mountains. Unfortunately, a lot of the area has been burned and the road eroded a lot.

Made it into Ellensburg where it was really hot. Got a late lunch and after refueling headed out for more mountain roads. First stretch is all paved but gets quickly narrow down to a single lane. A lot of fun, just be aware of big potholes.

More mountain trails, shared with horses, Jeeps and ATV’s. Most of the people were very considerate by pulling over and keeping the dust down. Again, another rim ride with fantastic view.

On my way down towards Wenatchee, I met a little group ride. A farther and daughter doing 2 up and another friend going with them on this BDR section. It was already late afternoon and they welcomed me into their camp spot above the Beehive Reservoir.

We had a great evening with nice chats until the mosquitos pushed us to retrieve into our tents.

6. July 2024

The morning was without breakfast as the mosquitos were already up and hungry.

I did the alternate route from Wenatchee to Cashmere. All easy gravel road and in the beginning great views. Later the road follows a deep valley with rocks on both sides.

In Cashmere I fueled up and had breakfast before heading into the mountains. The ride was great and not difficult but it warmed up quickly. Chumstick mountain grants a 360-degree view and is a must see. There I met several other riders which did from a day ride to the BDR and all in between.

I spend far too much time chatting before I headed towards Ardenvoir. As I descended into the valley and the town it got really hot. But before I went to the gas station, I wanted to visit the marked Grotto Corral. That was a disappointment, as people used the site as a dump station and the grotto was an empty small space.

At the gas station and general store, I met on of the other BDR riders from before again. We chatted a bit while I enjoyed a cold soft drink.

Just past the bridge a little side road leads up to a Fire Watch Tower. It is a small one but nicely located and kept in working order. Although it was not occupied when I was there.

From here the route lead again into some mountains before it descends back down to the Lake Chelan.

On this descend is a harder alternate route which is not difficult other than the bushes grow into the road and the jeeps have created often deep ruts. This combination will it make difficult with big bikes and big side-bags.

The closer I got to the lake, the busier it got on the campsites. Most of them were just packed. Sometimes with 10 tents on one spot, insane. Down at the lake it was even crazier, people, cars trailer everywhere. And did I mention that it was hot?

At the store they were sold out of ice, food and some of the drinks. In addition, the other BDR rider asked the fire department about the situation north. Basically, they said the next section is closed. I meanwhile checked on the internet where the fire is reported and decided to skip only the part from Chelan to Carlton with the Cooper Mountain.

That was a good decision as I even didn’t have smoke on the way. Before I stopped at the Loup Loup Summit Campground, I rode through an area which had been burned some time ago mostly on a small but very good paved road.

The Campground would need a little love landscaping wise but the toilets where clean and the temperatures have been great due to the altitude.

07.July 2024

The morning was quiet and allowed a relaxed start into the day. The usual small breakfast and packing routine before heading out the small distance to the route. Looking back, I was very happy with my decision to go off trail for the night and continue the next day.

At one point the road was flooded slightly but for a longer stretch. No problem.

This was just before the points of interest (China Wall, Arlington Mine). Those marked items, were not exiting, as there was nothing to see. The China Wall marker is on a steep climb which I would not recommend on a big bike. From there runs a shortcut to the Arlington Mine Site. This is a very steep hillside so I went around on the ‘normal’ road. That was steep enough but doable also on larger bikes.

The mine site itself is nothing else than a dugout on the hillside. No old mining equipment or shafts to be seen. I would not go there again.

The following ride was nice and easy with views before descending down to the Historical Marker of Ruby townsite.

There is nothing to see other than the sign which informs about the history of this place. And someone had nothing better to do than shooting on the sign so you can’t read all of it.

Apparently, it was a trithing town during the silver high days but now are only some foundations left. Those you cannot see as all is overgrown.

In Conconully I stopped for fuel. It was already hot and the amount of people present in this tiny little town was crazy. Well, there is a lake just next to the town and it seems that’s enough to attract hundreds of people. The State Park, Campground all was packed with people.

However, the Convenience Store / Gas Station was a nice old fashion place.

Outside of the town the road climbs up to more than 6500feet and passing by some nice campgrounds. They were all empty.

Not far after crossing the Lone Frank Pass, I reached the Skull & Crossbones Corral and Cabin. I stopped and looked around and there was a deer hiding below a tree until I walked towards it. Later it wondered across the meadows with not much fear of me.

A tree had smashed the Cabin and I found it a little funny that it sat right in one of the window framings. Overall, not much was left.

The remaining route was easy and picturesque all the way to Palmer Lake. Another busy place and it was very hot that day.

I just rolled onto the border for some pictures before hopping on the WA to ID BDR connector.

In Oroville I met again one of the BDR riders and we chatted for a while. A late lunch and stocking up in supplies, made me ready to hit the road again.

A nice all paved road runs through farms and hills towards Idaho. I stopped at Lake Sherry for the night at a very expensive no thrills campground.