Gas, North Cascades Highway (20) Washington State

[Badger]

Hello all,

I'm planning a trip through Washington, and I'm coming up short on fuel stops using Microsoft's Streets and Trips.

Does anyone know if there are gas stations on the North Cascades Highway between Pateros and Marblemount?

At 130 miles I can just do that on the Sportster if I am very careful and keep the speed down. I would feel a lot better if I knew there was fuel somewhere between these two points.

Badger/John

Specialists have been called in to evict problem badgers from a military base in Warminster.

[bosozoku]

There's gas in Twisp, about 35 miles west of Pateros

[Badger]

Thanks guys,

This helps a lot, I would have hated to give up this part of the trip due to a small fuel tank.

I thought later about google earth. Interestingly, it shows fuel at Winthrop and Twisp, but not at either Rockport or Marblemount.

Still later, I found a parks service article that mentions fuel at Marblemount and Winthrop.

Badger/John



The reflectors used for badgers have tended to be posts about 30 cm high...

[bftownsend]

yes.. I do not rememebr a 130 mile stretch up there without gas... but you should pack a couple litres of extra if there are forest fires as there cold be road diversions

[kluts]

Originally Posted by bftownsend

yes.. I do not rememebr a 130 mile stretch up there without gas... but you should pack a couple litres of extra if there are forest fires as there cold be road diversions

Many years ago Marblemount had gas but this road is very seasonal and even if there is a pump there it could close down after labor day. Rockport is your best bet. Bring some sigg bottles or a good 1 gallon plastic can with a good lid. Twisp has gas.

[flying_hun]

John, when are you doing this ride? I was e-mailing someone in Cle Elum today, and he said that snow is expected at higher elevations this weekend, but I haven't checked the weather myself.

Cheers,

[bosozoku]

Originally Posted by flying_hun

John, when are you doing this ride? I was e-mailing someone in Cle Elum today, and he said that snow is expected at higher elevations this weekend, but I haven't checked the weather myself.

Cheers,

The forecast is for 1-3" of the white precip down to 4500' Friday night for western Washington and most of western Orygun. The moisture will arrive Thursday pm, and we may get a dry Saturday.

I hope this precedes an Indian Summer.

http://www.katu.com/weather

[Badger]

Hey Kurt and Steve,

This trip will be made in late June or early July. I don't fancy riding in snow.

On my long trips I like to plan way ahead and then keep my eyes open for interesting things to add to the itinerary. My Mammoth Lakes geology trip was generally planned for three years before I firmed up reservations and went. My Yellowstone trip was spur of the moment compared to that one.

This trip I will slab it to Cottage Grove for a short visit with my folks. Then across to Sisters and up to Hood River. Out the Columbia Gorge (Washington side) to the Stonehenge war memorial. Up 97 to hit 20 and across to catch the ferry to Port Townsend. Then 101 around the Olympic peninsula and down the coast to Oregon and my folks place once again. And slabbing it home from there. I'm still considering what side trips to make along the route.

Badger/John

Despite his age, this is a very special badger.

[flying_hun]

Originally Posted by Badger

I'm still considering what side trips to make along the route.

Allow me to suggest a few. First, there's the obligatory side trip to Crater Lake, before you get to your folks' in Cottage Grove. Much has been written about this, and you can roll it into your first day's itinerary without too much difficulty.

Second, after visiting Maryhill, why not head back down river on the Washington side to Carson, and head up to the Windy Ridge overlook of Mt. St. Helens? This may push your range, so follow Kluts' advice re: extra containers. Fill up in Carson, and again in Randle. From here you can reconnect with 97 in Yakima via either Hwy 12 over White Pass or Hwy 410 over Chinook Pass. Both are good. Hwy 97 north of Goldendale is nice, but the ride up to Windy Ridge is a treat.

Once you've come back to the west side over Hwy 20, consider a visit to the San Juan Islands via the wonderful ferry system. This will likely add at least a day to your trip. If you wanted to be more extravagant in your use of time, and maritime in your approach, you could ferry all the way through the San Juans from Anacortes to Victoria BC. Victoria is worth a visit in its own right, and from there you can take another ferry across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Port Angeles, putting you on the northern side of the Olympic Peninsula, and ready for a ride up Hurricane Ridge. Also, if you like beachcombing, Dungeness Spit is a nice stroll. It's also close to Port Angeles.

On the west side of the peninsula, any stops in the rain forest will be a treat. Hiking, etc. in the Hoh River Valley.

There's some stuff for you to consider!

[Badger]

Well Kurt,

I can see you have given this some thought.

I could add Crater Lake on either the first or last day of the trip. I did visit Crater Lake after my Yellowstone trip. It is always worth another look.

I don't think I can work St Helens into the trip without adding another entire day. Looks like I'll have to plan another Washington trip at another time.

Thanks for the ideas though.

Badger/John

He sat up the first night and, sure enough, saw the kitchen area of each chalet light up from the fridge bulb as the badgers came calling.