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High Pass Challenge Route
START/FINISH LINE
Homestead Camping Site
Huntington Road
Packwood, WA
Start line open from 7 - 8 AM
Course closes 5 PM. Note that Sunrise is at 7 AM and Sunset is at 6:50 PM.
(You must finish by 5 PM to receive the finisher souvenir and award - NO EXCEPTIONS!)
Driving directions
From I-5 at 12 miles south of Centralia, WA take HWY 12 east for 64 miles to Packwood. Approximate driving time from Seattle is 3 hrs.
Parking
Located at the Start/Finish Line at 1896 Homestead on Huntington Road. The cost is $5. All proceeds will benefit the local community.
2009 Schedule of Events
7 a.m. - Start Line Opens
8 a.m. - Start Line Closes.
1 p.m. - Finish Line Opens
1 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Free post-ride BBQ by Seattle Sausage Company
5 p.m. Finish Line Closes
What to expect on the High Pass Challenge route
The High Pass Challenge follows a spectacular, but very challenging route. Expect incredible views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and of course, of Mt. St. Helens. As opposed to Johnson’s Ridge, Windy Ridge offers close-up views of the blast zone. One gets a real feel for the destruction wrought by the 1980 eruption, especially when peering down at Spirit Lake on the way up to the viewpoint. If you’re planning on riding in this new Cascade event, you’re in for a real treat! Here are some of the highlights.
The ride begins along Highway 12, with the first 17 miles to Randle on a gradually downhill, smoothly paved road with a very wide shoulder. Expect light traffic, but be aware of the occasional logging truck. Randle is the low altitude point of the trip at 880 feet.
Heading south on the smooth blacktop of NF 25, there’s a “warm-up” climb at 19 miles into the ride. It’s only 1.2 miles long with 400 feet of climbing, but the first half mile or so has an average grade of 8.3%, so that should you in the mood for what follows.
At 26.5 miles, look for the first food stop at the Iron Creek Picnic area. It’s in a pretty spot shaded by large trees. As a matter of fact, once you head south from Randle, almost the entire route is in the shade until the Windy Ridge climb. Even with very light traffic, we recommend wearing bright clothing, and using a rear blinker light so you’re more visible in the low light. You should also consider using a lighter sun glass lens.
Fuel up at Iron Creek, because you’ll be climbing for most of the next 26 miles. Right out of the rest stop, a climb ascends 1400’ in the first 6.8 miles. You then get a few moments to relax on a quarter-mile flat section before starting up NF 99 to Windy Ridge. After you turn onto 99, be sure to drop by the mini food stop for water and a banana.
After 2700 feet of additional climbing, you’ll arrive at the next food stop on the usually very windy Windy Ridge. If you’re keeping track, that’s total of 4100 feet of climbing since the Iron Creek Food Stop.
Don’t linger too long at Windy Ridge, though, because your job is not finished. There is actually 1200 feet of climbing required to go back over Independence Pass, and retrace the route back to the Iron Creek Food Stop.
The descent from Windy Ridge is quite technical, and even though 99 has a smooth surface, there are patches of rough road. Please be extremely careful! And, once you’re on NF 25, you’re back into the shade headed downhill, so be extra cautious while descending.
Once the road returns you to Iron Creek, it’s time to fuel up for the last 34 miles of your ride. As you leave Iron Creek, the route meanders along NF 76, a single-lane road with plenty of ups and downs. At 85 miles, the road intersects with Cispus Road. Things level off for a bit, but once you cross the river, you’ll have an excellent descent on a well-paved road as you get closer to civilization.
Approximately two miles before the C-Line Road, a water stop will let you top off for the last 15 miles back to the finish line.
The C-Line Road is a terrific way to finish this outstanding ride. This pleasant country road features short hills that will be a welcome relief compared to the ride up to Windy Ridge. Turn right back onto Highway 12 for the last six miles of your High Pass Challenge adventure.
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The High Pass Challenge is a strenuous mountain ride that climbs over Independence Pass, then winds past scenic Spirit Lake on the way to the Windy Ridge Viewpoint in the Mt. St. Helens National Monument area. The use of this pristine route was made possible by a special arrangement with the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Mount St. Helens National Monument. This is not a ride you want to miss!
