2002 TOURATECH USA "GPS ride" (self-guided)

You will need to pay attention to the road. GPS can be very dangerous if it takes your attention at the 'wrong' instant of time. Don't screw around, this is your life.

This GPS route has been tested with a loaded R1150GS (big tank, panniers, and full camping gear) to ensure that it is at least, a "GS route". Tire pressure used on the big GS was 25 lbs front and rear which makes for great fun, but you have to watch for (and avoid) big rocks. You MUST be comfortable on gravel, with your camping gear on-board, or you won't make it to the campsite by dark. If you're slow on gravel, leave Seattle early, like 8AM. We're leaving early too, but we're gonna boogie! Hope to see you there!

TEST ROUTE; We created a short, SEATTLE AREA Garmin MapSource route so you can test your "systems. It's just an exercise to get some experience loading and "activating" a route on your GPS. This Garmin MapSource route starts at Big Rock Road (on Hwy 203 near Duvall), ends on Ben Howard Road (Cedar Ponds near Sultan) using some decently rough gravel. Along the route is a spot on Youngs Creek that's a "notable geographic feature" and a neat place to swim on a hot day. If you've NEVER used your GPS to navigate a route, please give this a test. It's only 18 miles and is about 1/3 paved, you can ride it after work on a weekday.
Click here to download the test route. The main route uses this route in the beginning.

Just FYI: The latest MapSource update v4.09 (now 5.3) is available (free download). You will need at least v4 to use the files that we send. The new version includes tha long-awaited "track editing" feature.

We highly advise that you create some "GPS routes" on your own so you know how to interpret the GPSs instructions. You still have to use your head, but the GPS allows a more complicated route with many obscure intersections, and allows riders to space out for dust.

It starts easy, smooth. At the end of the 1st route, stop and look over the bridge. Just outside of Skykomish are side-jaunts to teach you to heed the GPS instructions.

Sadly there is a large avalanche (snow) blocking the gravel route from Stevens pass to Lake Wenatchee, so we had to cut that section out.

The uphill out of Plain is a good test, and you can decide if you want to go home. Then you get more experience across Entiat summit (smooth gravel). On the entiat Summit road there is a "fire lookout" on SUGARLOAF mountain (see waypoint SGRLFP). It's a neat place to go, but don't screw around - someone might be eating a 2nd helping of your chili. Another nice view from "CHMSTC". There are some ruts in dirt roads coming down from Entiat Summit thru Swakane Canyon (Rocky Reach Dam).

Colockum road is rough and rocky but 30 feet wide. From Seattle to 97 (thru Swakane) was tested by an insane person Honda CB900. He was having a great time until Colockum, where we saw no more smiles, only wishes for a GS or at least a few more inches of suspension. In the Umptanum area there are some options for those who want more adventure. More description later.

Note the CAMP waypoint. You can see a picture of the camp area photo. It's a large area with green grass. There's a decent stream running thru it. Campfire rings are of the redneck-type (filled with dirt, glass and beer cans). If you arrive in time there will be a BIG pot of chili made by Lin Hamlin (who will be drinking beer and throwing the cans in the fire).

Leaving from the camp there is an option for a more difficult loop - a washed out road past a log cabin. It has been R1150GS tested by Tom, for whatever that's worth. On this loop there is an "Elk gate". Normally these are held closed with a simple clip (no padlock). Please close the gate after passing thru, it's to protect wildlife.

The route from Cliffdell to Snoqualmie is smooth gravel, (which, by now you will be very comfortable riding on), almost like a rest terrainwise.......except for the sheer cliffs next to the road. Ther's NOTHING out here, just rocks, bears, you know the usual.....