Highway 20 Washington Pass

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > Washington

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 17 visitors

State: Washington
Date Submitted: December 1, 2003
Submitted by: Captain Jeff Martin
Motorcycle Road Length: 87 Miles

Written Directions

Start your route in the small town of Marblemount, WA. If you don't know where Marblemount is, either visit this electronic map showing how to get there (zoom in and out as much as you need) or just look on a Washington map and follow I-5 about 65 miles north of Seattle and then follow state route 20 about 40 miles east.

Start your route in Marblemount and simply follow route 20 east all the way through the incredible North Cascade National Park, taking 20 all the way to Winthrop, WA. Enjoy!

Note: If you continue the ride around the north cascades scenic hwy (you'll go from state route 20 to US route 97 and then to US route 2) you will see the spectacular Lake Chelan and return to I-5 via Stevens Pass near Everett Washington.

Scenery

You'll be amazed by 65 miles of old growth forest thru a national park with alpine vistas climbing from sea level to 8000 ft. and ending up in a great town Winthrop Washington. This is truly one of Washington's hidden secrets!!! Eastern end of Northern Cascades near Winthrop, WA

Road Quality

A VERY twisty road with some rock falling danger and of course plenty of deer to watch out for. Excellent road quality and never boring however this road is only open from April to October.

Photo contributed by visitor in July 09: "Picture taken on top of Diablo Dam. The access road is near the pull-out viewpoint along Highway 20"

Roadside Amenities

No amenities from Marblemount to Winthrop however, the ride has many pull outs with overlooks of some breath taking views of the cascade mountains over 40 waterfalls that can be viewed from the road.The North Cascade National Park is one of the best national parks in the US and has plenty of outdoor activities to offer.

Photo submitted by DeDe in Aug 09.

Photo submitted by DeDe in Aug 09.

Photo submitted by DeDe in Aug 09.

Photo submitted by DeDe in Aug 09.

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather . - Washington State Parks - Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Nickname (optional) Captain Jeff Martin

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Reviewed by ruffjeepster on November 9, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: ruffjeepster
motorcycle_year: 2002
motorcycle_make: HD
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: They call the North Cascades 'The Alps of America', I've been to the Alps and this is pretty darned close. Definitely the best Alpine ride I've been on.
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Reviewed by Rick_TN on November 4, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Rick_TN
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: This road was one one of the highlights of our trip this real. We rode SR 20 from Colville to Burlington. As we ascended up Washington Pass, we traveled into the clouds and when we exited on the other side, the grandeur which was presented took our breath away. This pass closes every year and we where on a email watch list from the Washington State DOT which announced the opening of the road, which was none to soon for our trip. Great Road!!!
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Reviewed by pakratt on October 5, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: pakratt
motorcycle_year: 2011
motorcycle_make: Triumph
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: One of my favorite rides, luckily right in my backyard.
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Reviewed by Guest on July 24, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Sherman
Comment: Im from Canada. I have ridden this rte several times, have found it most enjoyable....never a bad day!!!!
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Reviewed by Guest on July 21, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Melanie
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: I forgot to mention how smooth the road is! The curves are so well designed that while I was riding i realized I was taking the curves without even having to think of the next move, just so fluid and relaxing and natural. I will never forget the feeling!
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Reviewed by Guest on July 21, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Melanie
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: I did this amazing road on a week-end road trip flying from Montreal, QC with a rented Street glide '09 from Seattle. We had the perfect weather, t-shirt riding in June, I will always remember this perfect road trip! Loved the mountains, glacier views and crystal turquoise waters from the river canyons.
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Reviewed by Guest on June 21, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Todd Wauldron
Comment: Took this beautiful ride in 9/09. Breathtaking. Seriously advise you ride in the morning, or take it going east as the winds are pretty stiff out of the west. Especially strong around Ross Lake. But a few miles east of Ross Lake, you go over the pass, and the winds are minimal. Lots of pullouts for some very cool pics.
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Reviewed by Guest on October 26, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Pati
motorcycle_year: 2004
motorcycle_make: Kawasaki
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: I agree! Top 10!!! I grew up in Washington State and rode this road many times! The Dragon and Blue Ridge are the only 2 rides that can come close to this ride! If you ever get a chance to get to WA and ride this area and a lot of the state, do so! You won't regret it! My sport-tourer did great on it!
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Reviewed by Guest on September 16, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: RC
motorcycle_year: 2005
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: This is one of the best rides in Washington state. While I have driven this route several times, last Saturday was the first time that I rode it on my motorcycle. The scenery is gorgeous and the leaves on the trees were just starting to turn to beautiful colors. I plan to make this trip one more time this year before the pass closes for the winter.
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Reviewed by Guest on September 8, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Glenda
motorcycle_year: 2002
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Loved this road! Came back across this road in 2006 after traveling up the coast on 101, heading back to Maryland. Can't stop telling people how beautiful it is, a waterfall at each bend in the road.
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Reviewed by Guest on September 3, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Jim Thompson
motorcycle_year: 2001
motorcycle_make: BMW
motorcycle_type: Other
Comment: This route we do every year. One of the best. We also have some great routes in British Columbia. Comeout and check us out.
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Reviewed by Guest on July 17, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Steve H
motorcycle_year: 2005
motorcycle_make: Kawasaki
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: I began the ride in Maple Valley, WA at 6:00AM. Rode to Burlington and headed west on 20. The ride through Sedro-Wooley was marked by fog and clouds, but that soon cleared as I motored east. The climbing ride past Diablo Lake was fantastic; not a cloud in the sky and the views were fantastic. Riding on a Wednesday definitely gives a rider a chance to be alone on the road! The road is in great shape and the experience unforgettable. This is a definite must on any rider's list!! I was constantly amazed by the tremendous forests and the geology; the vast spaces, which give one perspective, are awe inspiring. My ride took me through Winthrop, Twisp, Chelan, Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Monroe, Duvall, Carnation, Fall City and back to Maple Valley; about 490 miles! This will now be an annual ride for me.
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Reviewed by Guest on July 5, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Sirby
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: One of the best roads anywhere. I would add that you must resist the urge to fly by Diablo Dam just because you are mesmerized by the awesome twisties and are in a hurry to get to Winthrop for an ice cream cone. What you want to do is slow down and make the north( towards the dam) turn onto the DAM road and putt out ONTO the dam itself. Yep, they let you drive across it on a one lane road with cool art deco street lights and the most impressive view over the dam spillway to the gorge below. There is a gate which is open during the daytime only. You can ride up the lake a ways and turn around for some great mountain views and the Dam in the foreground. Well the top of it with the street lights anyway. Oh, and when you get to Winthrop and want to find a place to camp? Shoot straight through the main intersection and climb the hill, turn right and go by the Shafer Museum ( worth a look after you get your tent up) and find the "Pine Near Campground" waiting for you in the shade of big trees, biker friendly and they even have a big moble home they rent out for your tentless friends. You can walk over to the museum, an outdoor display of mining equipment, and drop down the stairway/trail to the main street of Winthrop with lots of great places to eat, drink and be merry. My fav is the "Duck Brand" for oatmeal in the morning. Their other food is good too.
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Reviewed by Guest on June 16, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: DeDe
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Hwy 20 starts in Newport WA running East to West ending at Hwy 101, Discovery Bay; 425 miles. Newport to Winthrop is approx. 230 miles of beautiful scenery and twisting mountain passes (Tiger to Colville/Run Along The Pend Oreille). Winthrop to Marblemount: 89 miles of non-stop twisting fun; world class scenery; frequently changing weather; Wonderful road surface. We rank it as equal to Hwy 12, Lolo Pass, ID. Hwy 20 has made the �must ride every year� list.
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Reviewed by Guest on November 19, 2008 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Gary
motorcycle_year: 2007
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: I road this for the first time this Aug. I went from East to West staying in Winthrop the first night of the trip. Great place to people watch,meet people, and relax. The tip up Washington pass is fantastic. Be sure and stop at the rest area at top and walk out to the lookout. If you are afraid of heights, you might want to CRAWL out to the fence there. Fantastic views. The West side of the pass is nice long slow sweepers.
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Reviewed by Guest on June 11, 2008 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: The Geezy Rider
motorcycle_year: 1986
motorcycle_make: Kawasaki
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: I/we have ridden this route many times. If the traffic is light it is a great ride. And like the Captain, I prefer to spend the night in Winthrop or Twisp. The name escapes at the moment but there is a great Bar/cafe in Twisp just off main street that has great steaks and breakfast meals.Then I/we head south to Wenatchee and take Highway 2 back across Stevens Pass to Everett which is also a very nice scenic ride.
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Reviewed by Guest on January 20, 2008 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Jamie
motorcycle_year: 1993
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Standard
Comment: We ride this highway with our friends every summer and stay for the weekend in Winthrop or neighboring Twisp. It is a fantastic ride, the road itself is probably not for beginners but isn't too difficult to navigate. The road crews do a fairly good job of keeping the highway clear of rocks and debris but the danger is always there. All in all it is an incredibly beautiful and relaxing ride and you will thoroughly enjoy it, just keep an eye out for the deer.
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