The American Alps

Meet your guides in Seattle Sunday morning. Shuttle to the entrance of the North Cascades National Park (the “Gateway to the American Alps”) and start the week with a nice warm-up ride along the banks of Diablo Lake. Contemplate Desolation Peak, where famed beat-generation author Jack Kerouac scanned the surrounding mountains for forest fires during the summer before On the Road was published. Pedal past cascading waterfalls on your way to Ross Lake and hop in the van for a boost to the top of Washington Pass. Enjoy jaw-dropping views of high alpine peaks while dining on a gourmet lunch spread. Nothing aids digestion like a freewheeling descent on a bicycle. Coast down the eastern slopes of the Cascades to the lovely Freestone Inn for a 3-night stay. It’s easy to see why it received a “Top 25 Lodges in America” – award from Travel and Leisure magazine and attracts guests from all over the world.

Ride from the tiny settlement of Mazama through the beautiful Methow Valley – one of Washington’s most popular recreation destinations. Here in the remote Okanagan region, golden eagles ply the skies and nest high in the cliffs above the rivers, white-tailed deer and elk, along with the occasional moose, graze in the forests and meadows. Stop for lunch at Pearrygin Lake State Park before heading to the historic “Old West” town of Winthrop (did you bring your 10-gallon hat?). From here, hop on a saddle at the ice cream shop, or hop on your bike and pedal back up the valley to Freestone.

Today we will leave the skinny tires to rest and hop on some mountain bikes. We ride right from our Inn, taking a tour of some of the easy trails in the area on our way to the Mazama Store – a local favorite – for a delicious lunch. After lunch, hand over the fat tires and lace up your hiking boots, we are going on a hike in the North Cascades to catch some amazing mountain views!

This morning we leave the Methow Valley and shuttle to fjordlike Lake Chelan, the deepest lake in Washington State! Ride along the shores of this deep blue gem before heading into the surrounding open forests and meadows and then along the mighty Columbia River. After checking in at the Bavarian Lodge, there is plenty of time for you to enjoy the afternoon exploring the charming Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth, or to do some more riding. Tonight’s dinner is on your own (lederhosen are optional). Your challenge will be picking from the long list of recommended restaurants!

Take a drive through a whitewater canyon whose surrounding cliffs are famous for nesting raptors to a beautiful state park on the shores of Lake Wenatchee to begin cycling today. Cruise from scented pine forests to vineyards and orchards. Enjoy some time in town or head out on another ride before we gather for a celebratory dinner.

Ride through the world’s longest bike/pedestrian tunnel: a 2.3-mile long historic train tunnel on the Palouse to Cascades Trail. We’ll provide the lights! Cycle downhill through evergreen forests all the way to Rattlesnake Lake for lunch. You’ll be relieved to know there are no rattlesnakes here; the lake got its name from late-summer seed pods rattling in the wind. More downhill after lunch: pedal all the way to gorgeous Snoqualmie Falls, which you may recognize from the popular TV series, Twin Peaks. For the native Snoqualmie people, the falls are the place “where prayers were carried up to the Creator by the great mists that rise from the powerful flow.” After more photos, hugs and a few rituals that are part of every Bicycle Adventures tour, your guides will drop you off at your hotel in Seattle or near the airport.

*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.