Los Angeles to Leavenworth Washington

ValleyGS'er · 06-14-2011, 09:34 AM

Hi,
Next week I'll be riding from Los Angeles to Leavenworth, Washington for the North West Rally.
For the quickest track up should I take the 5 FWY and the 97 all the way or the 5 FWY to the 84 FWY and than the 97? Or another route maybe?
In other words, the question is how fast/easy is the 97? It does not appear to be a freeway. As it goes through towns are there stop lights? How is traffic? Etc.
Thanks!

oldmonkeybut · 06-14-2011, 10:08 AM

Of the two routes I would take I-5 to Weed then Hwy 97 all the way up. Much less Traffic than the congested I-5 mess through the valley. Just watch the deer and oncoming traffic on HWY 97. Neither one of these choices are what I would consider the best bike roads but they are the fastest/most direct

Tirespin · 06-14-2011, 11:30 AM

97 does go thru a number of towns with traffic lights and 25 mph sections (which I'd obey). If you're solely looking for the fastest way up, I think I5 - I84 is your best bet.

That said, 97 is a much more enjoyable ride. It's not a "great" biking route, but it does go thru interesting and changing countryside. I'd go 97 if I was making that run.

Google Maps chooses I5-97 first, then I5 - WA hwy 20 second. I don't recommend that. The I5 corridor from Centralia to Everett is horrible if you hit it at the wrong time of day, and it's never clear for the whole length. It does give you a nice ride over Stevens Pass, but still...

ThrottleThrill · 06-14-2011, 12:44 PM

I can only comment on Hwy 97 from Yakima WA north. 1st suggestion if you like windy 2 lane roads would be to take Canyon Road / 821 north of Yakima to Ellensburg. It parallels 97 for that section and is a great road above the river. 97 from Ellensburg to Hwy 2 is a pretty well developed Hwy, good pavement etc. If you are also a fireroad fan, there are some great fireroads off that section of 97 near Blewett Pass - Lion Rock, Haney Meadows, etc.

dhally · 06-14-2011, 04:01 PM

I-5 through Oregon sucks it is busy - you can't go fast even if you want to. 97 through Oregon has a 55 speed limit but everybody goes closer to 65. You could go really fast on a bike if desired. The towns are few and small, except for Bend which has a parkway.

tony the tiger · 06-14-2011, 04:11 PM

The less interstate (around here) the better, think I'd take 97 all the way. (even including Bend

truckers)

What is this "North West Rally?"

edit: NM... "Trollhagen" is it?

DeeG · 06-14-2011, 11:01 PM

Spent many an hour driving to/from SoCal to central WA. Toss up between 5 or 99. 5 is brain dulling and there's way too many semi's, but 99...I don't know...pavement sucks if you're on a bike... and the traffic is just obnoxious. Honestly? I'd stick with 5, even on a bike.

but once you hit Weed, 97 is much better than the 5.

Mind the small towns, last time I was in central OR, the deputies/staties were hiding, just waiting for people to ignore the lower speed limits. A good portion of them little towns have decent fuel/food/motels. If you are planning a stop for the night, Bend is a good place. If you want something clean and cheap, look for the older motels at the south end on the old highway. SE 3rd st. nothing fancy, and the motels were built in the 40's but we got a clean, comfortable room for 45 bucks vs the 75 - 120 that the chains wanted.

There are a lot of side roads to divert onto if you have the time.

Canyon Rd out of Yakima is highly recommended, I even take the time to do that when I'm in the cage.

If you decide on 97, mind the wind when you get towards the OR/WA junction. Coming out of the hills south of Biggs, the wind gets kinda squirrely and is kind of unsettling crossing the tall bridge over the river. It lets up once you are nearing Goldendale. Fueling up in Biggs is a PITA, wait till you are in WA, there is a Shell station about 2 miles up the road, or another few miles gets you to Goldendale.

ValleyGS'er · 06-15-2011, 08:27 AM

Wow! This is great. Thanks for the help guys.
I feel like I've driven this before with all the detailed input.
The NW Rally info can be found here: http://www.rawhyde-offroad.com/pac-nw-rally.html
Thanks again :)

tony the tiger · 06-15-2011, 10:27 AM

mm - stop at the German Bakery on your way into town - the baker rides a GS. Makes good stuff, too

1911fan · 06-15-2011, 08:36 PM

I'm about 12 miles east of Leavenworth- PM me if you need anything.

1911fan

06-14-2011, 09:34 AM	#1
ValleyGS'er ^OP Adventurer Joined: Nov 2004 Oddometer: 77	Los Angeles to Leavenworth Washington Hi, Next week I'll be riding from Los Angeles to Leavenworth, Washington for the North West Rally. For the quickest track up should I take the 5 FWY and the 97 all the way or the 5 FWY to the 84 FWY and than the 97? Or another route maybe? In other words, the question is how fast/easy is the 97? It does not appear to be a freeway. As it goes through towns are there stop lights? How is traffic? Etc. Thanks!

06-14-2011, 11:30 AM	#3
Tirespin Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Where the Muk is Heckilteo? Oddometer: 213	97 does go thru a number of towns with traffic lights and 25 mph sections (which I'd obey). If you're solely looking for the fastest way up, I think I5 - I84 is your best bet. That said, 97 is a much more enjoyable ride. It's not a "great" biking route, but it does go thru interesting and changing countryside. I'd go 97 if I was making that run. Google Maps chooses I5-97 first, then I5 - WA hwy 20 second. I don't recommend that. The I5 corridor from Centralia to Everett is horrible if you hit it at the wrong time of day, and it's never clear for the whole length. It does give you a nice ride over Stevens Pass, but still... __________________ Skip 2010 KTM 990 Adventure R Fuel and Maint Log

06-14-2011, 12:44 PM	#4
ThrottleThrill Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Woodinville, WA Oddometer: 392	I can only comment on Hwy 97 from Yakima WA north. 1st suggestion if you like windy 2 lane roads would be to take Canyon Road / 821 north of Yakima to Ellensburg. It parallels 97 for that section and is a great road above the river. 97 from Ellensburg to Hwy 2 is a pretty well developed Hwy, good pavement etc. If you are also a fireroad fan, there are some great fireroads off that section of 97 near Blewett Pass - Lion Rock, Haney Meadows, etc. __________________ Tom '09 KTM 990R '09 KTM 530 XC W GasGas 300 Trials '11 SkiDoo 800 Rev XP X

06-14-2011, 04:01 PM	#5
dhally Hammerhead Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Dry Shitties, WA Oddometer: 1,706	I-5 through Oregon sucks it is busy - you can't go fast even if you want to. 97 through Oregon has a 55 speed limit but everybody goes closer to 65. You could go really fast on a bike if desired. The towns are few and small, except for Bend which has a parkway. __________________ dhally ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WR250R 2008 Suzuki V-Strom 650

06-14-2011, 11:01 PM	#7
DeeG Huh? Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Central WA Oddometer: 450	Spent many an hour driving to/from SoCal to central WA. Toss up between 5 or 99. 5 is brain dulling and there's way too many semi's, but 99...I don't know...pavement sucks if you're on a bike... and the traffic is just obnoxious. Honestly? I'd stick with 5, even on a bike. but once you hit Weed, 97 is much better than the 5. Mind the small towns, last time I was in central OR, the deputies/staties were hiding, just waiting for people to ignore the lower speed limits. A good portion of them little towns have decent fuel/food/motels. If you are planning a stop for the night, Bend is a good place. If you want something clean and cheap, look for the older motels at the south end on the old highway. SE 3rd st. nothing fancy, and the motels were built in the 40's but we got a clean, comfortable room for 45 bucks vs the 75 - 120 that the chains wanted. There are a lot of side roads to divert onto if you have the time. Canyon Rd out of Yakima is highly recommended, I even take the time to do that when I'm in the cage. If you decide on 97, mind the wind when you get towards the OR/WA junction. Coming out of the hills south of Biggs, the wind gets kinda squirrely and is kind of unsettling crossing the tall bridge over the river. It lets up once you are nearing Goldendale. Fueling up in Biggs is a PITA, wait till you are in WA, there is a Shell station about 2 miles up the road, or another few miles gets you to Goldendale. __________________ 2007 F650GS blue - mine 2007 F650GS black - his 2008 Honda CRF230L 2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa 2009 Suzuki DR200

06-14-2011, 10:08 AM	#2
oldmonkeybut Laredo Sanchez Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Western Rain county, Oregon Oddometer: 1,624	Of the two routes I would take I-5 to Weed then Hwy 97 all the way up. Much less Traffic than the congested I-5 mess through the valley. Just watch the deer and oncoming traffic on HWY 97. Neither one of these choices are what I would consider the best bike roads but they are the fastest/most direct

06-15-2011, 08:27 AM	#8
ValleyGS'er ^OP Adventurer Joined: Nov 2004 Oddometer: 77	Los Angeles to Leavenworth - route advice Wow! This is great. Thanks for the help guys. I feel like I've driven this before with all the detailed input. The NW Rally info can be found here: http://www.rawhyde-offroad.com/pac-nw-rally.html Thanks again :)

06-15-2011, 08:36 PM	#10
1911fan Master of the Obvious Joined: Aug 2007 Location: North Central Washington Oddometer: 1,651	I'm about 12 miles east of Leavenworth- PM me if you need anything. 1911fan __________________ Read The Patriot Post -- It's Right. It's Free. http://patriotpost.us/subscribe/ Sometimes the light to see your way forward is provided by the bridge burning behind you.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode