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Rainier Rambler |
Dates: (9 days, 8 nights; Sun-Mon) |
Assembly Point: |
Tour Cost: $2,595 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, support van, ferry toll, park entrance fee, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives) |
We believe that our Rainier Rambler, more than any other cycletour offered in this region, captures the essence of the excitement and fascination of cycling in the Pacific Northwest. The allure of the area is its incomparable, varied terrain and we’ll experience these dramatic contrasts visually and physically in the context of this 9-day adventure.
The awesome beauty of Mt. Rainier National Park, the towering spires of the North Cascades, the apple-growing empire of the Yakima and Columbia River Valleys, the maritime magic of Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands, the extraordinary beauty of Deception Pass—this is the continuum of experiences that is the Rainier Rambler.
The tour assembles in Enumclaw, just east of Seattle, and we’ll ride to the western entrance of Rainier Park on Day 1. We’ll overnight at the Nisqually Lodge just outside the Park and spend most of the following day exploring the park. We’ll climb to the Paradise Lodge, where we’ll spend the night on the slopes of Rainier, and arrive early enough to enjoy the outstanding hiking opportunities in the Paradise area.
The influence of the Cascades on the climate of the region to the east is apparent as we descend into the arid Yakima Valley on Day 3. Fresh fruit stands are everywhere as we approach Yakima, where we’ll spend the evening. We’ll return to the high country of the Wenatchee National Forest the following day as we climb scenic Swauk Pass (4,071') enroute to Leavenworth where we’ll spend the evening.
Day 5, we’ll ride into the heart of Washington’s apple-growing empire. We’ll follow the Wenatchee River to it’s confluence with the Columbia and trace the Columbia northward for an evening at the Caravel Resort on the shores of Lake Chelan.
We’re headed for the North Cascades on Day 6 on roads that constitute a cyclist’s fantasy. An overnight in Winthrop precedes our encounter with Washington Pass (5,477') in the heart of North Cascades National Park. Cycling North Cascades Highway is a dream—sparse traffic, great shoulder, spectacular alpine scenery.
We’ll spend the evening in Marblemount on the Skagit River at Clark’s Skagit River Resort and then we’re off to the ocean. We’ll spend our final overnight at Ship Harbor Inn on Fidalgo Island and cross magnificent Deception Pass to Whidbey Island. We’ll cycle the full length of Whidby to Clinton before concluding our tour with a ferry ride across the Sound to Everett.
Total Mileage – 559
E-Mail: timber@earthnet.net
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