After Three Years, a Road Re-Opens

The Mountain Loop Highway. I have seen signs for this stretch of road for years but I never ventured forth. Then, when I finally decided to check it out, it was closed. It had been devastated by landslides and flooding in 2003 and would remain closed for four years. This weekend was its debut back into the limelight of Washington State Scenic Drives.

Octover 27, 2007
Total Miles: 254 miles, 1 day
Seattle, WA to Darrington, WA
Tickets: 0
Mishaps: 0
Puckers: 0

A group from ADV was planning and exploratory ride to see the newly-opened Mountain Loop Highway. I had never been on it before and didn't know what to expect. I assumed that it would be wide, hard-packed gravel roads but was pleasantly surprised to see that I was wrong. For 14 miles, this was a narrow, sometimes one-lane dirt road that ran with mud and potholes and gravel. It was great!

The end of the pavement past Granite Falls	Mr. Cob's passenger on his Ural sidecar

The road to Monte Cristo, a mining ghost town	An view from early in the ride

Stopping for no apparent reason	There were always cars somewhere along the way

Waiting for the brushcutter to pass	View while waiting for the brushcutter

Bike and cars, creating our own backcountry parade	What the road should look like: no cars

Fall foliage, Pacific Northwest-style	Another random stop to regroup

We stopped for lunch in Darrington. I decided to return down the highway instead of completing the "loop". The dirt (mud) was too much fun and I expected to have less traffic to pass while heading south. I was right!

Lunch in Darrington	Bikes in the parking lot; how exciting

Mt Index from Darrington	The sunshine was fading but the views were still great

Tony says "Hi!"	Taking it easy heading back down the dirt section

A recently re-built portion of road	Same road, but with a view

Mud, mud, everywhere I go!	Same view as earlier; this time on the way home

I took my time coming back from lunch as the rest of the crew had taken off on their own. I blazed down the dirt roads but stopped frequently for photos. The pavement returned and once I got passed Granite Falls it was a tedious ride back to Seattle.

Big Four Ice Caves are nearby	I still get a kick out of the paint scheme

Heading back towards Granite Falls	The Barbie Box is a nice touch

Mountain Loop Highway	??? River