A Gravel Adventure along the Palouse to Cascades Trail - Thorp to Cle Elum (Steady)

Bring your gravel bike and light and join us for a very scenic section of the Palouse to Cascades Trail (PCT). This part of the trail runs through the upper Yakima River canyon with great views of windmills, mountains, interesting geology, possible wildlife, and of course the river.  We WILL be stopping for photos!

Please be ready to ride at 10 AM. We will start with a required safety briefing, and roll out when that's done.  If you miss the briefing you will not be able to ride with the group.  It's a good idea to arrive early! 

Route:  We start in Thorpe at the PCT Trailhead and ride slightly uphill towards Cle Elum and then get to roll gently downhill on the way back.  There are two tunnels on the route and you WILL need a light for one of them. It's not long but it does have a curve in the middle so that you can't see the light at either end of the tunnel. Recommended minimum tire size is 32mm.

Directions:  Turn left off of exit 101, cross over I-90 and then the trail. Turn left on Thorp Depot Road and when the road angles back and crosses the trail, turn onto the trail. Yes, you have to drive a hundred yards on the trail to reach the trailhead parking lot. Don't believe the elevation gain shown on the route map, the last time I road this route 3 years ago, STRAVA said the elevation gain was only 470 feet.

Food and Water: Bring your own snacks and plenty of water as options are limited until we get to Cle Elum.  Lunch will be at Pioneer Coffee in Cle Elum. This is the same Pioneer as the one in North Bend so if you have a punch card, it will work here.

Pace:  The ride is posted as a "Steady" pace which means 12 - 14 mph on flat paved roads. However, since we will be on gravel and climbing much of the way from Thorp to Cle Elum then descending on our way back, for this ride the designation of "Steady" implies effort, not speed. 

Restrooms: A vault toilet is available at the start. We can also stop along the way for restrooms and water at Ponderosa Campground at mile 11 as well as Pioneer Coffee during lunch.

Carpooling: A Facebook post will be created a week or two before the ride so that people can coordinate ride sharing.

Mechanical:  Be prepared to handle mechanical issues if you have a problem e.g. flat tire.  Bring a spare tube, tools, patch kit, pump and skills to fix flats and have a mobile phone and a plan for rescue in case your bike fails. Other things to bring: phone; ID; cash and/or credit card; water and a small snack. Please have full fenders if the roads are wet, or you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group.

Weather cancellation:  If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed in the Weather Status or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions or other unexpected events, the Ride Leader will cancel the ride and all registered riders will be sent a notification email. If the ride is canceled at least two hours before the start, Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride.