We had a chance to take a day ride on Sunday, about ten hours on the bike, my K1200GT Brick, on a beaut, warm day. It approached 29 degrees in Washington state and aside from a steady breeze, a few wisps of cloud, it was a near perfect day for a mountain road ride. First, a quick ride up highway 530 past the former town of Oso, site of the devastating landslide on 22 March, 2014.

This was once a quiet country neighbourhood half a kilometre away.


Trees have been planted in memorial to the lives lost.


One last look back as we ride away. Half a 'mountain' literally slid away as a rumbling mass of trees, mud and boulders swept over dozens of houses, farms, as people were inside their homes or driving cars along the highway.


The Sauk River was at full Spring runoff peak and was blocked by mud and debris and crews had to bulldoze an opening rapidly before a lake formed.


The scenery in this valley is awesome! Here's a glacial peak near the town of Darrington.


The peaks surrounding Diablo Lake lookout.




Late afternoon sun hazes the view above Diablo Lake, a majestically blue water reservoir for the Seattle City Light Company.


It was an easy 300 miler (485 kms) with many stops and a fine dining experience in Marblemount, Washington, along the Skagit River. Here the GT rests at Tacoma's Commencement Bay shoreline at day's end with snow-covered Mt Rainier in the background. I managed an average of 48 mpg (per US gallon) two-up with panniers out of the silky smooth GT BricK.

Sad event last year, but some beautiful scenery. One day I'll get there and check it out in person.

Bill

The layby along Hwy 530 was mobbed with people coming and going, having a gawk, ourselves included. From the road and in the pictures it's difficult to tell the scale of the slide as it swept down the hill, across the river and valley then up the slope on the other side, a distance of at least a mile. There's a house just on the east side of the highway which had mud and debris lapping at the fenceline, but the dwelling was never touched. It's a bit like stepping off the kerb into a busy city street and the fast-moving taxi brushes lightly past your knee; it wasn't your day. What are the odds?!

We left humbled.

Great pic's 

I will be in the Portland , Seattle area the end of July and first week of Aug. (family vac.)
Taking the train from Wi. out. I can.t wait
G.

10-ring wrote:Great pics 
I will be in the Portland, Seattle area the end of July and first week of Aug. (family vac.)
Taking the train from Wi. out. I can't wait
G.

Bring yer helmet! I've got spare bikes.

That sounds  great, I will try to work that in the plans.
Thanks 
   G.

Two weekends ago a couple buddies and I did the Cascade Loop.  We didn't get to Oso but did ride through Winthrop, Omak, Leavenworth and Whidbey Island.  

It's glorious riding territory so if you get the chance you should leap at the opportunity, 10-ring.
Washington Pass
Rainy Pass
Clinton Whidbey Island Ferry

Darrin

sounds spectacular

to all you guys that have the chance .... i'm jealous

ride well

charlie99 wrote:sounds spectacular

to all you guys that have the chance .... i'm jealous

ride well

Come over, mate. You get the aeroplane ticket, food for yourself and 'gas', I'll get the bike (pick one) and accommodation at my house - it's a bloody great big comfy spare bed, tools and a two car garage with no cars! No worries. That goes for the lot of you mob Down Under. I need to hear some pure Aussie. I'm getting too many American sounds in my ears each day. I have to listen to the ABC online just to stay in touch.