North Cascades Leavenworth Bike Tour

Head out for a ride up the Icicle River valley and back today. The road follows the tumbling river deep into the wilderness beneath the Stuart Range and the “Enchantments” – a series of high lakes that have become the most coveted backcountry destination in the Cascades. On June tours we will return to town for an afternoon raft trip (included) through a whitewater canyon on the Wenatchee River flanked by cliffs famous for nesting raptors. In September, when the river is too low for rafting, we will remain in the valley for a hike on a nature trail in Icicle Gorge before returning to town. Spend another night in Leavenworth and have dinner on your own.

This morning we say “auf wiedersehen” to Leavenworth as we cycle through the lower Wenatchee River valley to the banks of the mighty Columbia River. Farms and ranches are the lifeblood of the people here. Deer graze in the fields, coyotes hunt in the grasses, and raptors ride thermal currents in the skies above. After crossing the massive river and having lunch, we hop in the van for a brief shuttle to Campbell’s Resort in the tiny water-front town of Chelan where we will spend the next two nights. Here you can just relax, stretch your legs on a walk along the lake or the river, or head out for ride along the southern shore before dinner.

Leave your luggage in your room again today! Pedal through a region of orchards, vineyards and small lakes along the eastern shore of fjord-like Lake Chelan. Derived from the native word ““Tsill-ane,” meaning “deep water,” this 50-plus mile long serpentine blue wonder is the deepest lake in Washington State, and the third-deepest in the United States (only Crater Lake and Lake Tahoe are deeper). Prospectors once used the lake to provide easier access to gold, silver and other mines deep in the heart of the mountains. Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit. Lake Chelan’s pristine water quality consistently ranks as the highest in the country – swimmers will surely want to dive right in! Return to town via the lakeshore and spend another night in Chelan.

After breakfast, shuttle (~1 hr) up the Columbia River to the small town of Twisp to begin riding into the Methow River Valley – another of Washington’s most popular recreation destinations. Pedal up and back on both sides of the Chewuch River tributary before we reach the historic “Old West” town of Winthrop (did you bring your 10-gallon hat?). Lunch is on your own here, so tie up your trusty steed to one of the hitching posts and explore this fun little town for a while!  If you are champing at the bit for a new pair of cowboy boots or just about anything made from tanned leather, this is definitely the place. Or, you can sit on a real Western saddle while you savor a scrumptious ice cream cone. After a leisurely lunch and visit we will mount up for the last part of the ride up the valley to the Inn at Mazama, our last night’s lodging.

Welcome to North Cascades National Park! This morning you have the option of setting out early to tackle the climb from Mazama to Washington Pass (18 mi. / 3500 ft. gain) or hanging out for an extra cup of our famous NW coffee and shuttling to the summit. Beyond Washington Pass, we will begin with a few miles of descending before the much shorter climb to Rainy Pass (2 mi. / 350 ft. gain). Yes, it actually takes two passes to conquer the rugged North Cascades, and you are on the only road through these remote mountains. Watch the scenery turn greener by the mile as we leave the pines behind and cross back over to the moss-clad rainforests of western Washington. Pedal by more jagged alpine peaks and cascading waterfalls that anyone can name until you reach the Diablo Lake Overlook – a dizzying vista point where we will have a celebratory lunch as we admire the surrounding mountains before shuttling back to Seattle.

*Bicycle Adventures operates under special use permits while on Federal Lands managed by the National Forest Service (USDA), National Parks and Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.