They call them "The Cascades" for a reason!

Memorial Day

Started out from Redmond to Skykomish.  About 10 miles after merging onto US 2 in Monroe, I noticed oncoming traffic was crawling.  A quick look at Google Maps showed that the Memorial Day traffic jam would cause the 28 mile trip to Monroe would take 1.5 hr.   Eastbound traffic was light.

unhappy campers returning from their weekend in the mountains

The Skykomish river runs alongside of US 2.  At times, raging rapids.  Reminiscent of Hwy 50 on the way to Echo Summit.  Skykomish is a nice little railroad crossroads.  The Cascadia lodge is an old hotel I stayed at 5 years ago.   Hadn't changed a bit.

June 1   Cascades of water!

First and longest part of the ride was from Skykomish to Stevens Pass, a 3200 ft climb over 17 miles.  

Elevation profile Skykomish to Leavenworth through Stevens Pass

Since US2 runs along a railroad line, the grades are not terribly steep, but it's a long slog up.

All the way up, and much of the way back down, water from snow melt cascades down the sides of the mountains, ending up in the rivers that run along US 2.  

Here's one from the descent about 6 miles below Stevens Pass.:

About 5 miles on either side of the pass, there was snow still on the sides of the road, making the air cool and pleasant.  By the time I arrived in Leavenworth (the faux Bavarian tourist trap town) around 3PM, it was about 93°.

What would a blog post be without a dinner pic?

Stuffed Cabbage with Purple Cabbage, Sauer Kraut and potatoes
They sure like cabbage!