5
UPDATE 9/8/2023
My advance apologies, but since there are 3 road closures that are impassable for bikes on the Washington Volcanoes route this year and next, I have decided to postpone any attempts in 2023. These are the 3 closers:
However, please stay tuned for 2024, as once they repair Forest Road 25 I have a new and improved out and back route that is currently being reviewed for Super 600k approval, known as the Volcanic Uprising!! This is the proposed route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41623827
Please let me know if you are interested in riding this new route in 2024.
Updated in 2022, the Super Randonnées 600k is now being organized by the Provence Radonneurs, and is no longer organized with ACP for the Randonneur-10000 award. See the new Randonneurs 10,000 award requirements. Stay tuned for a BRM 600K with 8,000 meters of climbing!! The BRM600 8000 is a ACP non-permanent brevet, that is required to be completed in 40 hours. Therefore, the Washington Volcanoes Super 600k will only be acknowledged finishing times with RUSA and the Provence Radonneurs.
ROAD CONDITIONS
All roads may still be unplowed from late winter snow or impassable due to landslide in June and Early July. Check Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Mount Rainier National Park and WSDOT for current snow and other road conditions!
Email me if interested at least 1-2 weeks prior to your start date. It would be good to know your itinerary (start date/time and other travel plans and your address to send you the cards and frame badge). You must be a RUSA member to ride this Super 600k and also must register and e-sign the waiver on RUSA permanent registration and waiver site and send me $10 (via PayPal) before starting.
NOTE: THIS RIDE IS ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30! Check weather and road conditions before starting the ride (see at bottom of this blog post for links).
THIS IS A WILDERNESS-TYPE SUPER 600K!!
Washington Volcanoes SR600k photos control points and services guide
Ride with GPS link (contains tcx and gpx files for GPS)
Openrunner link (Route created with Openrunner)
CUESHEET Download to excel file for formatting and printing. Cue sheet includes 2 additional tabs with the photo control signs and Services (water, stores and lodging).
Video of the Inaugural Washington Volcanoes Super 600k!
Preride report (June 29-July 1, 2016) - SEE BELOW!
ROAD CONDITIONS
All roads may still be unplowed or impassable in June. Check Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Mount Rainier National Park and WSDOT for current snow conditions!
Check WSDOT site for road conditions to determine if the mountain passes are open!
See also road conditions for Mt Rainier National Park, Johnston Ridge Observatory and Windy Ridge.
Congratulations to all Finishers
June 29, 2016
Joe Llona- Seattle International Randonneurs – 47:11
Doug Migden-Seattle International Randonneurs – 48:11
Vincent Muoeneke-Seattle International Randonneurs – 47:29
John Pearch-Seattle International Randonneurs – 48:20
July 19, 2018
Thai Nguyen - Seattle International Ranndonneurs - 46:28
August 23, 2019
Hugh Kimball - Seattle International Ranndonneurs - 56:45
July 31, 2021
Bob Brudvik - SIR - 57:45
Gregory Cox - SIR - 56:36
William Dussler -SIR- 56:36
Mark Thomas - SIR - 57:45
August 13, 2021
Yonnel Gardes - SIR - 54:51
Mitch Ishihara - SIR - 56:49
John Nguyen - SIR- 56:49
October 2, 2021
Thai Nguyen - SIR-50:36
COURSE OVERVIEW
After finishing Michael Wolfe's Six Passes SR600k in September, 2015 I had the urge to create a new SR600 course in Washington State, that includes primarily paved roads in Mt St Helens National Monument and Mount Rainier National Park. Thanks to Mark Thomas, Vinny Muoneke and many other randonneurs for helping develop this course. Jan Heine also has a Super 600k course known as the Volcano High Pass 600 Km Super Randonnee, which covers a few similar passes as the Washington Volcanoes but consists of many miles of gravel roads. I created the Washington Volcanoes Super 600k as a means of staying on paved roads around Mt St Helens and Mt Rainier.
A Super Randonnée 600 km is a special 600 km permanent with a minimum of 10,000 m of climbing (according to Openrunner.com). Compared to the 40 hours that is usually allowed on regular 600 km brevets, extra time is allowed on the Super 600 km, due to the extra climbing where you get a minimum of 50 hours. Each route is approved by ACP in France but is administrated by individuals in each country. There is also an additional hour added to the 50 hour time limit for every 500 meters over 10,000 meters. The rules of the Super Randonnée 600 km is requires to be self-sufficient without the support of any vehicles on the course or at the controls.
When creating the course in openrunner.com, in order to get over 10,000 meters on paved roads in western Washington, I could only come up with a point-to-point route from Silver Lake Resort to Crystal Mtn Resort via Johnston Ridge Observatory, Green Mountain, Elk Pass, Windy Ridge, Paradise, Cayuse Pass and Sunrise Park Roads. This was the only combination of climbs I could find in western Washington with most entirely on pavement, with only about 1 mile of gravel to connect the shortest distance from Skate Creek Road to Longmire. I chose the start at Silver Lake Resort since there is a lodging available and a store. I didn't start it at Castle Rock (6 miles west of Silver Lake Resort) because it wasn't enough climbing in Openrunner (> 10,500 meters) in order to get extra time added. So having it start at Silver Lake was the best option since it has lodging and a store open 8am to 8pm. There are other gas stations open 24 hours, 4 miles and 6 miles west Sliver Lake Resort for anyone starting when Silver Lake Resort store is closed.
Finishing at Crystal Mtn Resort was the best place to finish since it has lodging and restaurants generally open from 7:30am to 10:00 pm during the summer. Crystal Mtn also has a gondola rides available during the summer, which would be a great place for family and friends to hang out while waiting to pick you up.
As a result , the Washington Volcanoes Super 600k is a very remote route that I consider to be wilderness-like, since a lot of small towns or resort stores close down early. There are also many miles of mountainous forest service roads with nothing available. So compared to other Super 600 km's, you should be ready to carry enough food and water through these remote mountainous areas. If you don't mind carrying a little more food and water on such a Super 600k, you will be rewarded with magnificent scenery and mountainous climbs of Mt St Helens and Mt Rainier!
A Super Randonnée 600 km is a special 600 km permanent with a minimum of 10,000 m of climbing (according to Openrunner.com). Compared to the 40 hours that is usually allowed on regular 600 km brevets, extra time is allowed on the Super 600 km, due to the extra climbing where you get a minimum of 50 hours. Each route is approved by ACP in France but is administrated by individuals in each country. There is also an additional hour added to the 50 hour time limit for every 500 meters over 10,000 meters. The rules of the Super Randonnée 600 km is requires to be self-sufficient without the support of any vehicles on the course or at the controls.
When creating the course in openrunner.com, in order to get over 10,000 meters on paved roads in western Washington, I could only come up with a point-to-point route from Silver Lake Resort to Crystal Mtn Resort via Johnston Ridge Observatory, Green Mountain, Elk Pass, Windy Ridge, Paradise, Cayuse Pass and Sunrise Park Roads. This was the only combination of climbs I could find in western Washington with most entirely on pavement, with only about 1 mile of gravel to connect the shortest distance from Skate Creek Road to Longmire. I chose the start at Silver Lake Resort since there is a lodging available and a store. I didn't start it at Castle Rock (6 miles west of Silver Lake Resort) because it wasn't enough climbing in Openrunner (> 10,500 meters) in order to get extra time added. So having it start at Silver Lake was the best option since it has lodging and a store open 8am to 8pm. There are other gas stations open 24 hours, 4 miles and 6 miles west Sliver Lake Resort for anyone starting when Silver Lake Resort store is closed.
Finishing at Crystal Mtn Resort was the best place to finish since it has lodging and restaurants generally open from 7:30am to 10:00 pm during the summer. Crystal Mtn also has a gondola rides available during the summer, which would be a great place for family and friends to hang out while waiting to pick you up.
As a result , the Washington Volcanoes Super 600k is a very remote route that I consider to be wilderness-like, since a lot of small towns or resort stores close down early. There are also many miles of mountainous forest service roads with nothing available. So compared to other Super 600 km's, you should be ready to carry enough food and water through these remote mountainous areas. If you don't mind carrying a little more food and water on such a Super 600k, you will be rewarded with magnificent scenery and mountainous climbs of Mt St Helens and Mt Rainier!
Two important differences between the Super Randonnée rules and those for standard RUSA permanents are:
The SR 600 are intended to offer a hard challenge that should remain open to a large number of riders. That’s why ACP offer 2 riding options. Riders can choose to ride either with, our without time limit : 'Randonneurs' or 'Tourists'.
1) There are no opening or closing times for the intermediate controls. The SR 600 requires a picture of your bike (with the SR600 frame badge visible) with a designated landmark for all of the intermediate and start/finish controls. Photos should have a time stamp to verify completion within the time limit. An example of the control photos can be viewed by selecting the "photo control point".within the cue sheet tab labeled "control signs". Receipts at the start and finish can also be used, if starting or finishing during business hours.
2) There is no vehicular support allowed anywhere on the route, including at the controls.
1) Randonneurs have a 60 hour time limit for a basis of 10,000 m of elevation gain.
ACP increased SR600 time limit to 60 hour (as of 3/20/17).
2) The Tourist mode should not be neglected. It helps checking out a route (and services) carefully in daylight before riding it as a Randonneur. It attracts those who want to get the best of an unknown scenery without the fatigue of sleep deprivation and the stress of the timed schedule.
ACP increased SR600 time limit to 60 hour (as of 3/20/17).
2) The Tourist mode should not be neglected. It helps checking out a route (and services) carefully in daylight before riding it as a Randonneur. It attracts those who want to get the best of an unknown scenery without the fatigue of sleep deprivation and the stress of the timed schedule.
ALL RIDERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR APPROPRIATE REFLECTIVE GEAR AND CARRY APPROPRIATE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS AND HELMET! THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS ARE KNOWN FOR POSSIBLE COLD AND WET DAYS/NIGHTS SO PLAN ON BRINGING APPROPRIATE CLOTHING!!
The Washington Volcanoes Super 600k was approved as a Super Randonnée 600k (i.e. SR600) on October 12, 2015 by Audax Club Parisien in France.
RUSA also approved this route as RUSA Permanent # 2865
Listing of SR 600s Worldwide
Certification: Even though this route was approved and administered by ACP, however this ride does not qualify one for the Super Randonneur award, nor does it serve as an ACP qualifier for longer brevets. See all information including the rules and general information about the ACP Super Randonnee.
This route includes Mt St Helens National Monument and Mount Rainier National Park, with climbs most entirely on paved roads. The route is available to ride whenever the Sunrise Park Road opens, until September 30. This blog site includes additional information about the Washington Volcanoes Super 600k and also include additional suggested rides to get familiar with this course.Ride with GPS link
Profile from Openrunner PROFILE PLOTTED IN EXCEL (using GPS data)
WASHINGTON VOLCANOES SUPER 600K PRE-RIDE REPORT
JUNE 29-JULY 1, 2016
Many thanks to Vinny Muoneke, Doug Migden and Joe Llona for preriding this course with me and making it a memorable inaugural ride. We all finished under the 50 hour time limit, and even got a couple hours of sleep at our overnight in Packwood. This is my preride report based on an 11:00 am start time at Silver Lake Resort, so don’t rely on this schedule if you are on a different start timetable.
Getting to the start and pickup after
the finish
This Point-to-Point
Super 600k route is not the easiest logistically if you prefer to drive to the
start. It is not required to stay at
Silver Lake Resort to get a photo of the Silver Lake Resort sign, but if you
don’t stay at Silver Lake and need a place to park your car, DO NOT try to park
at Silver Lake Resort, even out by the sign!! Silver Lake Resort has a store open 8am to 8pm. If you stay overnight at Silver Lake Resort, they might
allow you to park, but you need to get permission from the Resort. I would contact them when you register for a
room and ask them if you can park your car (and double check when you arrive—this
is a private resort with a small-town feeling).
Silver Lake Resort charged $5 per day to park our car, but is only if you stay at the Resort. We stayed at Sliver Lake Resort for about $164 for a 2 bed cabin with a kitchenette
for cooking a big breakfast before the start.
Motel rooms with 2 beds are about the same price. We were able to park 2 individual cars there
for 3 days; however, due to the upcoming Fourth of July weekend, we had to pick
up the cars before the weekend. If you
decide to park your car at the start, you must figure out transportation from
the finish at Crystal Mtn Resort. If you
are riding with a buddy, you could drop a car off at the finish (but this will
require some extra driving when you are tired!). Amtrack Cascade (with walk-your-bike on option) has a stop in Kelso, if you didn't want to drive back to your car.
If you
decide not to stay at Silver Lake Resort, there are motels in Castle Rock on
I-5 only 6 miles from Silver Lake Resort; you can then ride up to the start. The best option, for anyone that can find a
ride, is to have someone drop you and your bike at Silver Lake Resort and then
pick you up at the finish at Crystal Mtn Resort. Crystal is a great family friendly destination
with a gondola ride your family or friends can enjoy while waiting for you to
finish. There are great restaurants and
a hotel available at Crystal Mtn Resort. However, there is no shuttle service
available in the summer time from Crystal Mtn back to the Seattle metro area! Since start and finish controls have limited hours, no receipt is required and is on the honor system by just taking photo of the control photo signs with your bike and document the time on your control card.
Choosing the start date and time
Since the
route covers a lot of popular roads in Mt Rainier National Park, Mt St Helens
National Monument and Gifford Pinchot National Forest, the best time to ride these
roads is on weekdays when there is not as much traffic or a non-holiday weekdays. We chose our start time to allow us to view
the most scenic parts of the course during daylight hours on a weekday, when
traffic was not as bad as on a weekend.
Our chosen 11:00am start (on Wednesday June 29) allowed us to sleep in and ride the entire
Johnston Ridge Observatory climb in daylight.
It was dark on the less scenic parts of the course on Green Mountain and up
the Lewis River drainage. Stores in were already closed by the time we arrived in Cougar and Northwoods, which required stocking up in either Kelso or Kalama. On the second day, after sunrise, there were
spectacular views going up Elk Pass and Windy Ridge. We arrived in Packwood about 4:00 pm, when
the main grocery and restaurants were open. We also rode off course into Randle
to get food at the Mt Adams Café, then returned to the course on the beautiful and low-traffic Cline Road along the Cowlitz River. We left Packwood at 9:30-10pm, it was dark for views at Paradise, but then we had great views of Mt
Rainier and the southern Cascades on Cayuse Pass and the Sunrise Park Road. We finished during the daytime when Crystal
Mtn Resort restaurants are open, another reason the 11:00am start time benefited. Remember,
the start time is up to you. This is what
worked for us on the preride. We were
lucky to have warm, clear weather, but you should always plan on cold, rainy
weather anytime in the Pacific NW!
Johnston Ridge Out and Back
This route is a Point to Point with total of 604k with 10,100 meter-based climbing on Openrunner. The route starts at Silver Lake Resort at 550' and starts gradually up the first 5570 ft climb up to Johnston Ridge (at 4186')
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| Control Photo point # 1 Silver Lake Resort |
From the Elk Rock lookout, there is a nice descent into Coldwater. Then the final climb up to Johnston Ridge can be quite warm, if you have a tail wind on a sunny day. The engraving of “Johnston Ridge Observatory” near the entrance of the building is the photo control.
 |
| Control Photo point #2 - 45.4 mi (73 km) Johnston Ridge Observatory |
S Silver Lake and Headquarters Control
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| Photo Control Point #3 -97.5 mi (157 km) S. Silver Lake Rd/Headquarters Rd sign |
Kelso and Kalama
We found a local tavern once we arrived into Kelso at about 7:30pm, although there are many other food options in Kelso. There is a Safeway is open from , 3 blocks on Ash St from Grade St, if you need a variety of food to replenish your stock. Kalama is possibly the last opportunity with services until Randle, that is 216 km and a lot of climbing over Elk Pass and Windy Ridge, so be prepared for wilderness-type riding!!
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| Photo Control Point #4 - 125.8 mi (202.4 km) Green Mountain sign at Jct of Green Mtn Rd & Shirly Gordon Rd |
Green Mountain
The route then climbs up Green Mountain (at 1770'), a 1800 ft climb and with grades ranging from 8-12%. The descent off Green Mtn is very steep (about 20%) so be cautious! After the Green Mtn descent, you will start climbing gradually up the Lewis River Valley up to Cougar. It might be best to review the cuesheet in advance on this section as some of the roads are not signed.
A Wilderness-type Super 600k –Kalama
to Randle
Arriving in
Kalama just after sunset forced us to stock up on food/caffeine and other
essentials to get 216 km to Randle, traversing Green Mountain, Elk Pass and Windy
Ridge. The Lakeside Country Store in Cougar is open 6am to
8pm, which were closed for us when we arrived in Cougar about 2:20am. We could get water at the Rest Area in Cougar, located on the right, just before Lakeside Country Store...BONUS Cougar rest area have a hand dryer and heated restrooms--A desperate Randonneur's ditch nap haven :-)
The Eagle Cliff
(Northwoods) store is open 8am to 8 pm and is 1 km off course from the
NF90/NF25 intersection down NF90. There
are restrooms and a water spigot available after hours at the Eagle Cliff campground. There are cabins available to reserve in advance at Eagle Cliff campground, if you feel you need to rest here (at 285k with 4100 m or 13,450 ft total accumulated climbing). Also, if you pass by Pine Creek Visitor Center between 9am-6pm there are restrooms and water (located just before the NF90/NF25 jct).
ELK PASS AND WINDY RIDGE
Having a hydration pack and/or extra water
bottles is essential for stocking up on enough fluids to get over Elk Pass and Windy
Ridge, before reaching Randle. Having a
steripen or iodine tablets is also recommended for treating water from streams,
especially if it is hot. NF 25 road was temporally
gated but we could still walk around the gate just outside of Northwoods and
also just before the NF99 turn off (31 km of no cars access when we rode on
this section). The Forest Service temporarily
gated NF25 road for road repairs but according to the website NF25 is now open
(as of July 1).
 |
| Photo Control Point #5 Windy Ridge |
 |
| Control Photo Point #6 Sign of Distance to Randle 18 and Cougar 46 Junction of NF25 and NF2516 |
After descending back down NF-99 and making a left back onto NF-25, be ready to stop only 2.7 km (1.7 mi) down at the NF2516/NF25 junction for a control. This control is located on top of a small 100 ft hill that you can't miss on NF25. If you are alone, the best thing to do is lay your bike down on the road and take a photos with your framebadge and the control sign in the photo. Don't try and climb down in the deep ditch!
Continuing down NF-25, and use caution as the road is badly cracked in several places on this descent. At the WA-131/Woods Way junction, 1 mile north off-route, on US 12, there is lodging available at the Randle Motel. After we got some long overdue real meal at Mt Adams Cafe, we returned back on the course onto the beautiful Cline Road. The route continues along the south side of the Cowlitz River on Cline Road to avoid the busy Hwy 12 and also a lot of shreaded truck tires on the shoulder where flat tires are sometimes unavoidable.
Overnight of choice
Packwood has multiple lodging and service options. We chose to stay at Hotel Packwood which had a great hostel-like atmosphere.
You can get your own private room for only $30, with shared
restrooms/shower and microwave/social lounge area. Packwood is 435 km into the ride (with about
21,000 ft of climbing); the remaining ride is 169 km with about 12,000 ft of
climbing through Mt Rainier National Park.
Arriving in Packwood just after 4 pm allowed us a chance to eat at the
local restaurant or order pizza to be ready for us after some sleep. We stocked up on food at the 24 hour
convenience store in Packwood (at the corner of Hwy 12 and Skate Creek Road). We left Packwood about 9:30pm-10pm. The next long
push from Packwood is through Mt Rainier National Park and nothing was open for us after hours.
Mt Rainier National Park is also wilderness-type riding!
 |
This is an image from Strava showing the common way
mountain bikers and cyclist access Longmire
from Skate Creek road on
NF5230/NF12/Longmire Access Road (in blue).
|
The route then takes a left on Skate Creek Road (NF52) and follows the beautiful Skate Creek, summits at 2562' and climbs 1640 ft. After reaching the summit of Skate Creek Road
(about 2 km after the summit) there is a sharp right turn onto NF5230 road (the
only gravel section), then in 0.5 km a quick slight left onto NF12 towards Longmire. This gravel section is only about 1 mile total
until you reach the National Park gate. It is essential you have your
Interagency Annual Pass handy as this is not an official entrance as there
is no place to pay at Longmire, without going a long way off course to the nearest park entrance.
From
the National Park gate, NF12 is paved from the gate all the way into Longmire. I am an avid
Garmin user, which I was glad to have, as this area could be tricky if you are
just using a cue sheet in the dark. When
in doubt, just follow the main arterial road without turning into any
campgrounds or Longmire administration buildings. The bridge over the Nisqually River into
Longmire is hard to miss!
Longmire visitor
center/lodge was not open at the time, so we didn’t stop. Longmire -National Park Inn is open 7am to 8pm
and Longmire General Store is open 9am to 8pm.
 |
| Control Photo Point #7 Paradise Ranger Station |
Paradise and Cayuse Pass
After passing through Longmire and taking a right onto Paradise Road, you will climb up to Paradise, at elevation 5400 ft and climbing 2600 ft in 18 km. Water is available at Cougar campground, about 3.4 km past Longmire. Once you arrive at Paradise, there is a cafeteria in the Henry M. Jackson visitor center open 10am to 6:45pm and the Paradise Inn is open 7am to 8pm. Note: If you arrive at Paradise during normal business hours, the visitor center is probably the fastest way to get food.
Climbing up
to Paradise during the preride from Longmire was at night and is
currently under major construction where they have ripped out the road surface. It would be less desirable to ride during
daylight hours, when there is a lot of traffic and delays. According to Mt RainierNational Park, this construction is scheduled through July, 2016, but could continuethrough the summer of 2016. We arrived
at the Paradise Ranger Station control at approximately 1:39am, where there was
water spigot and restrooms. Now we also had to layer our clothing as it was a cold descent
down Stevens Canyon. Remember to be
cautious while descending Stevens Canyon as there are many metal water grates
over the road. After crossing Box Canyon, you will then climb 600 feet up Backbone Ridge, (at 3440'). Once you descend down the Ohanapecosh River valley, the route then takes a left on WA-123 toward Cayuse Pass (sign for Sunrise).
.
After taking
a left onto Hwy 123, the climb up Cayuse Pass is a long, steady 17 km 2400 ft climb,
where we saw a splendid sunrise. Arriving
at the Cayuse Pass summit, I was glad I layered up, as the White River basin
was very cold. Hwy 410 is a steep descent,
so watch out for the left turn toward White River and Sunrise, 5.7 km down from
Cayuse Pass.
Sunrise Park Road
 |
| Control Photo Point #8 Sunrise sign |
Descending down WA-410, the route takes a abrupt left onto White River Rd, toward Sunrise Park. There is a water fountain just beyond the White River entrance. After crossing the White River, you will climb 2300 ft up to Sunrise Park, at 6400', the highest elevation on the route and the highest paved road in Washington State!!
We passed through the park entrance before
they were open but if you enter at another time, remember you will have to show
your pass. Even though we had long
stretches when stores were not open, the 11am start seemed to be good timing,
as we got to view the most scenic part of the course on Sunrise Park Road, with
stellar views of Mt Rainier. Although we
missed some great views at Paradise during nighttime, it was outweighed by
missing the construction on the Paradise climb. After reaching the summit of Sunrise Park
Road, the control sign is about 100-200 meters before the Sunrise Lodge parking
lot and Café. The Sunrise Lodge Café is
open from 10am-7pm and the Sunrise Visitor Center is open 9am to 6pm.
The descent
from Sunrise is mostly downhill with a couple hundred foot climbs back to Hwy 410, and then a 7.5 km descent before
turning right on Crystal Mtn Blvd.
 |
| Control Photo point # 9 Crystal Mtn Resort or see additional Crystal photo in control guide. |
Crystal Mtn Blvd and Resort
The Crystal
Mtn Blvd is a 1650 ft climb in 10 km to the Crystal Mtn Resort ski area. There was minor construction on this road,
with traffic narrowed down to one lane, ripped pavement and a short delay at a motion-detection
traffic light. This road construction project is scheduled along Crystal MtnBlvd through Fall, 2016.
The finish
control is located at the green gondola sign at the base of the stairway, just
below the double cupola entrance to the ski area, just past the gondola. As
mentioned before, Crystal Mountain Resort is a great place to have your family and
friends visit, ride the gondola and pick you up. There are restaurants at Crystal, including the
Fireside Café, open 9am-5pm (weekdays) and 8am-5pm (weekends) or Alpine Inn Restaurant
7:30–10AM, 5–9:30PM. There is also the
Crystal Mtn Gift Shop open Sunday-Friday- 9:30am-6:00pm, Saturday- 9:30am-7:30pm,
or the Snorting Elk Tavern open from 3pm-10pm.
See the top of this blog with the updated Cuesheet,
RidewithGPS file and Openrunner file.
I have created a video (from my GoPro and photos) that
captures the magnificent scenery and photo controls and will give you a sense
of what this Super 600k has to offer.
I
hope you will come and enjoy the fun of the Washington Volcanoes Super Randonnee 600k!
Please email
if you are interested in riding this Super 600k! I can answer any other
questions you have that this preride report doesn’t give.
Start at Silver Lake Resort
45.4 mi (73 km) Johnston Ridge Observatory (1694m accum elev. gain)
97.5 mi (157 km) Silver Lake Rd and Headquarters Road (3205m accum. elev. gain)
125.8 mi (202.4 km) Green Mountain/Shirly Gordon Rd jct (2500 m accum. elev. gain )
218 mi (350.8 km) Windy Ridge Volcanic Monument Viewpoint (5800 m accum. elev. gain)
235.7 mi (379.4 km) Junction NF-25 and 2516 (1.7 miles downhill from NF-99 turn) (6077 m accum. elev. gain)
45.4 mi (73 km) Johnston Ridge Observatory (1694m accum elev. gain)
97.5 mi (157 km) Silver Lake Rd and Headquarters Road (3205m accum. elev. gain)
125.8 mi (202.4 km) Green Mountain/Shirly Gordon Rd jct (2500 m accum. elev. gain )
218 mi (350.8 km) Windy Ridge Volcanic Monument Viewpoint (5800 m accum. elev. gain)
235.7 mi (379.4 km) Junction NF-25 and 2516 (1.7 miles downhill from NF-99 turn) (6077 m accum. elev. gain)
298.7 mi (480.8 km) Paradise Ranger Station (7765 m accum. elev. gain)
350 mi (563 km) Sunrise Park Elevation 6400' sign (9570 m accum. elev. gain
Finish 376.4 mi (605.8 km) Crystal Mtn Resort gondola sign (10106 m accum. elev. gain) (50 hour time limit)
350 mi (563 km) Sunrise Park Elevation 6400' sign (9570 m accum. elev. gain
Finish 376.4 mi (605.8 km) Crystal Mtn Resort gondola sign (10106 m accum. elev. gain) (50 hour time limit)
Cue sheet includes 2 additional tabs with the photo control signs and Services (water, stores and lodging) Download to excel file for formatting and printing.
Lodging
Available on route (271.2 mi or 435 km) at the Hotel Packwood and Packwood Inn or Cowlitz Valley Lodge in Packwood.
Lodging
Available on route (271.2 mi or 435 km) at the Hotel Packwood and Packwood Inn or Cowlitz Valley Lodge in Packwood.
There are 2 off-route lodging options, but just keep in mind this extra distance will not count towards the total distance. These include:
- Mile post 176, about 0.6 mile off course, Eagle Cliff Store and Campground (which has cabins for anyone really need a place to sleep for a couple hours-and don't want to ride up on the Windy Ridge devastated volcanic section in the dark.
- Mile post 252.9, is the turn off to Randle Motel which is about 1 mile one-way off course.
Major Climbs (from base to summit-may not include valleys leading up to climb):
Johnston Ridge (4186' msl) 5570 ft climb in 45.5 miles (includes descent to Coldwater Lake)
Johnston Ridge (4186' msl) 5570 ft climb in 45.5 miles (includes descent to Coldwater Lake)
Elk Rock (3859' msl) 1640 ft climb in 8 miles
Green Mountain (1770' msl) 1800 ft climb in 5.7 miles
Elk Pass (4093' msl) 3500 ft climb in 21 miles
Windy Ridge (4350' msl) 2000 ft climb in 16 miles
Skate Ck Rd (2562' msl) 1640 ft climb in 11.5 miles
Paradise (5424' msl) 2600 ft climb in 11.5 miles
Backbone Ridge (3440' msl) 600 feet climb in 4.8 miles
Cayuse Pass (4715' msl) 2460 ft climbs in 11 miles
Crystal Mtn Resort (4400' msl) 1650 ft climb in 6.3 miles
NOTE: THIS RIDE IS ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30! Check weather and road conditions before starting the ride (see at bottom of this blog post for links).
ROAD CONDITIONS
All roads are open in Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Mount Rainier National Park (as of 7/1/18)!
All roads are open in Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Mount Rainier National Park (as of 7/1/18)!
Check WSDOT site for road conditions to determine if the mountain passes are open!
See also road conditions for Mt Rainier National Park, Johnston Ridge Observatory and Windy Ridge.
Please email me for current conditions, I am checking road conditions frequently.
Please email me for current conditions, I am checking road conditions frequently.
See also WA Snotel site for snowpack info.
SNOTEL SNOW PACK SITES NEAREST WASHINGTON VOLCANOES SR600 COURSE
Elk Pass, Lone Pine SNOTEL
SNOTEL SNOW PACK SITES NEAREST WASHINGTON VOLCANOES SR600 COURSE
Elk Pass, Lone Pine SNOTEL
WEBCAMS ON WASHINGTON VOLCANOES SR600 COURSE
LOGISTICS
Towns route passes through include: Toutle, Kelso, Kalama, Woodland, Cougar, Randle, Packwood, and Longmire Village, Paradise Lodge, Sunrise Lodge and Crystal Mountain Resort.
Towns route passes through include: Toutle, Kelso, Kalama, Woodland, Cougar, Randle, Packwood, and Longmire Village, Paradise Lodge, Sunrise Lodge and Crystal Mountain Resort.
Start is at the Silver Lake Resort, WA, 6 miles east on Hwy 504 (off Interstate-5 exit 49).
If you are transporting by bike on Amtrak Cascade in Kelso (walk on bike option), this is located about 18 miles to Silver Lake Resort.
Finish at Crystal Mtn Ski Resort, 40 miles east of Enumclaw, WA (on Crystal Mtn Road off of Hwy 410).
See Crystal Mountain Resort accomodations for more information.
Also, see bus schedule for Enumclaw on King County's site.
Suggestions: Having a car parked at Cyrstal Mtn Resort or a ride waiting for you at the finish is best. Just remember, there is NO vehicular support at all during a Super Randonnee 600k!
Also, I would strongly encourage riding up Windy Ridge on Forest Road 99 during daylight as there are sections places with rocks on the road and cracked paved surface within the devastated volcanic area. It is also strongly advised to carry a 3rd bottle up to Windy Ridge and/or a means to purify water from creeks (i.e. iodine tablets or steripen).
Carrying a Spot Tracker devise is also strongly recommended.
Carrying a Spot Tracker devise is also strongly recommended.
Suggested permanents that cover Washington Volcanoes Super Randonnée 600k:
534-Winlock-MtStHelens-Winlock 204k (SIR)
Up 'Yer Ash 220k (Susan France)
Elbe-Bear Meadows-Ashford-Elbe 224k (SIR)
RAM'R (Ride around Mt Rainier in One Day) 241k (SIR)
Sunrise-Chinook Climb 200k (SIR)
Crystal Mountain Climb 200k (SIR)
