My Spring Road Trips: Part I Cascade Loop

A well planned road trip is a great way to escape from the stress and boredom of routine daily life,
enjoy beautiful scenery and discover new places and people. It’s better to share it with a friend, and an even bigger thrill to do it on motorcycles. It’s also an effective way to hone your riding skills such as pulling off the road safely, exercising caution around gravel and other poor road conditions and slowing for wildlife. And on a road trip, it helps to know where you are going.


We left Burnaby, British Columbia on May 27 and crossed the border at Sumas  to get on Highway #9 south to Highway #20 and then east through the Cascade Mountains to our first resting place at the Mt Gardner Inn  in Winthrop, WA.  Since the well-publicized bridge collapse on the I-5 just days early was farther south, it would not interfere with our Cascade Loop trip on either end. With an elevation of almost 5,000 feet, we made it through Rainy Pass, which was cold and wet and except for the roads, still covered in snow patches. A primary feature of this route are the many small waterfalls that grace the mountain sides.

Upon arriving in Winthrop, we registered at the Inn, parked our bikes out front and walked through the old western styled town to the Carlos 1800 Mexican Grill & Cantina for dinner and some refreshing sangria. 

The next day, after coffee and a berry scone at the Rocking Horse Bakery, we packed up and headed south through the Methow Valley on #153 then #97 to Leavenworth where we stopped briefly for a walk and lunch at King Ludwig’s in this Bavarian-like town. Continuing west through Stevens Pass on #2 all the way to the Best Western in Everett, we settled in and dined next door at the Hunan Palace restaurant. We slept well knowing our bikes were safely parked by the fountain off the main entrance in full view of the all-night reception staff. This was a very clean, bike friendly hotel at an affordable price that I would recommend to anyone.

We enjoyed a full buffet breakfast at the hotel, loaded up and headed west on Pacific to Rucker Avenue, south to 41st and then west along Mukilteo Blvd to get the ferry to Clinton on Whidbey Island. The ferry runs every half-hour and was only about $4.00 each for a one-way 20 minute crossing so if you really want to do the Cascade Loop, you should include this section in your plans.  On the Island, just take #525 north west where it joins #20. Be sure to pull over to your left immediately before the Deception Pass Bridge for a washroom break, stretch and to take in the great scenery. This particular day included mostly rain than not so we dressed appropriately and managed to avoid getting our skins cold and wet.


Continuing on #20 but now east, we took a little detour to Anacortes, first dropping into the Visitors’ Centre and then to Anthony’s for a delicious lunch by the bay. This is a stunning first class restaurant with average lunch prices and great value, ample free parking and beautiful views.

From here, we continued north east over the Swinomish River Bridge and then took the first left to make our way to the famed Chuckanut Drive to Bellingham where we refueled and hopped onto the I-5 north to the Peace Arch Border Crossing and back home to Burnaby.

Like the sign says, "See you next time around."

Note: See more Cascade Loop photos by clicking on View Profile above and then Photos.