Old Blewett Pass +Teanaway Road

This ride is challenging but a beautiful climb over Blewett Pass using a very rural road, Old Blewett Highway. It is for experienced riders only. Riders should be able to maintain a pace of 14-16 mph on a flat road. All riders will climb at their own pace and we will regroup at the top. Due to the road conditions, we will try and stay relatively close together on the way down for safety.

We start the ride going through rural farm country with a very gentle grade (1-3%) and a small section with a gravel road surface. Then we go up the South side of the mountain pass.  The grade up this side is largely between 2-6% with some steep sections 8-9% near the top.  We will regroup at the top and then go down the North side, turn around and go up the North side. 

When we reach mile 50, if the winds are not too bad, we will take Teanaway road west. Teanaway road is a beautiful, really smooth, almost deserted, road with tremendous views of the Stuart range. After riding about 12 miles and climbing about 800', we come to a campground. This is where we turn around and head back to the start. It is easy to cut this 24 mile section of the ride out and just return to the start. That is an option for any rider.

Road Conditions – CAUTION:    Old Blewett is not maintained regularly.  It is easily done by bike but has many rocks and ruts.  The ride up will not be a problem, but on the ride down, you will need to be on your brakes most of the time to avoid the rocks.  This section of the ride is not where you will fly downhill. This ride is only for experienced riders.

Weather Cancellation: Showers/snow/and strong winds will cancel. This ride is not safe to do in the rain or snow. In addition to steady rain, any other hazardous conditions will cancel the ride.  I will be in the area Saturday and will cancel if necessary Saturday evening, by posting in the comments section of the CBC page . 

Preparations: Every rider is expected to have tubes and tools and to be able to fix a flat and other minor mechanicals. If any rider has a mechanical issue, or a flat tire, we will not abandon them. Given the distances involved, and limited access to water, everyone should have two water bottles or a camelback. Remember this is a ride over a mountain pass, so weather can change quickly.  We will be going up to over 4,000', so make sure to bring a windbreaker (and maybe some long underwear) for the downhill sections.  Also keep in mind that cell reception is spotty at best in this area, especially on the mountain.

Directions: Take I-90 East to Exit 85 (to Routes 10 and 970.)  Turn right onto Routes 10/970 toward Liberty/Wenatchee/Ellensburg. About a half a mile down the road on the left is the Twin Pines Drive In, where we can leave our cars (they know we are coming and have said it is OK with them.)  It is a great place for an ice cream or milk shake at the end of our ride. 

Bathrooms + Water Note: There are NO restrooms at the start (Twin Pines is not open), but there is a gas station about a half mile down route 10 toward Cle Elum that has port-a-potties we can use.  About 18.5 miles into the ride we will come to Mineral Springs Campground on the West side of the road with bathrooms that we can use, if necessary. On the way back, at mile 41.5 we will stop at the Mineral Springs Campground (mile 41.5) for water and bathrooms. There are also pot - a potties at the Teanaway Campground (mile 64.5) but no water other than the river.

Food : With an 85 mile route, I anticipate we will be on the road for about 7-9 hours (5-6 hours if you do not ride the Teanaway portion) and there will NOT be anywhere to stop for food, so be sure to pack your own lunch, as well as snacks to eat along the route.

Travel Time - 9:30 am is roll out time, and the drive from Seattle will take you about  1¾ to 2 hours, so be sure to leave enough time to get to the start with water and ready to go 15 minutes early so you can sign a waiver and listen to the safety and route briefing.

Register - Please sign an e-waiver by clicking on the “Register Now” button at the top of this page (right below the ride title) and enter your information. If you cannot make the ride, you do not need to unregister.