Question about route to Mt. St. Helen - Page 2

Rush66crp · 07-13-2012, 05:22 PM

Will the stairs be obvious? If not, can you provide a more precise location. I'd love to check them out.

andykeck · 07-13-2012, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by Rush66crp

Will the stairs be obvious? If not, can you provide a more precise location. I'd love to check them out.

The only way not to see the stairs is to keep your eyes closed the whole time you're there.

Rush66crp · 07-13-2012, 05:31 PM

Haha, cool thanks.

Lucky Strike · 07-14-2012, 01:49 PM

if you tell me where they are.

TheSumoBear · 07-14-2012, 02:00 PM

Where did you get airborne exactly? Lol

crippy · 07-14-2012, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by TheSumoBear

Where did you get airborne exactly? Lol

Going north on 25 to Randle. It's a bit bumpy past the 99 cut-off

Mrmat25 · 07-14-2012, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by Hoanghai96

One thing that I'm concerned about is gas. From the map it looks like A LOT of ground to cover. I'm planning on taking randle>nf25>nf99>back to nf25 and head south towards cougar. How far are the gas stations better that whole randle to cougar route. Remember I am going forward and back on nf99

I clocked 63 miles (yesterday) from gasing at Cougar to the Top of Windy Ridge if that is helpful. I think I recall a sign at the bottom saying 22 miles to Randle from the 99 cut off. Not sure how long 99 is though. I guess google should be your friend.

Originally Posted by Rush66crp

Will the stairs be obvious? If not, can you provide a more precise location. I'd love to check them out.

They are where the road runs out at Windy Ridge. You will see them. The folks coming down when we were there yesterday said they counted 405 of them.

Quicklimegirl · 07-15-2012, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Mrmat25

I clocked 63 miles (yesterday) from gasing at Cougar to the Top of Windy Ridge if that is helpful. I think I recall a sign at the bottom saying 22 miles to Randle from the 99 cut off. Not sure how long 99 is though.

Windy Ridge road (NF99) is 17 miles from the start where you turn off 25, 'til the end @ the parking lot, so 34 miles R/T.

Hoanghai96 · 07-15-2012, 10:21 AM

I was looking at the map and it looked like there is more roads at the end of nf99 has anyone ever gone beyond?

oldandslow · 07-15-2012, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Hoanghai96

I was looking at the map and it looked like there is more roads at the end of nf99 has anyone ever gone beyond?

The area at the end of 99 is in the restricted "monument zone" where the penalty for rididng is death. The good news is that outside of that zone within the Gifford Pinchot NF there are hundreds of miles of roads and trails of varying terrain and difficulty.

FeralRdr · 07-15-2012, 01:02 PM

Google maps shows NF 99 going farther than it actually does. The pavement ends at the parking lot and the road goes to gravel there, and is gated. The only road coming off of NF-99 is NF-26. It is paved, but goes to single lane and reportedly has a few short sections of gravel on it. NF-26 runs from NF-99 back to NF-25 about a mile or so North of the NF-99/25 junction.

Also, in regards to fuel:

If your bike can go at least a solid 100 miles on a tank of gas, then you should have no problem getting up to Windy Ridge and back, so long as you top off in Randle (if coming from the North), or Cougar (if from the south) before heading up. Additionally, if coming from the south, you will first have to go to Randle to top off, before heading back to Cougar. The Eagle Cliff store (a couple miles NE of the Pine Creek Ranger Station, on NF-90) Sometimes has fuel available, but I haven't noticed the 'Fuel Available' sign the last few times I went by there.

Hoanghai96 · 07-15-2012, 01:07 PM

How do you feel about hitting randle going through nf99 then head back and go down to cougar? Will there be enough gas for just one trip or would I have to head to randle again before I go all the way down?

Mrmat25 · 07-15-2012, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by Hoanghai96

How do you feel about hitting randle going through nf99 then head back and go down to cougar? Will there be enough gas for just one trip or would I have to head to randle again before I go all the way down?

22 miles from Randle to 99.
34 miles on 99 (up and down).
46 miles from the base of 99 to Cougar.
106 miles total it looks like.

vs.

126 miles RT from Cougar up 99 and back 99 to Cougar.

With a CBR 600 RR you should be good either way. 25 down from Randle is pretty beat up though.

Hoanghai96 · 07-15-2012, 02:32 PM

it looks good on paper, just hope it is in trial

Mrmat25 · 07-15-2012, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by FeralRdr

The only road coming off of NF-99 is NF-26. It is paved, but goes to single lane and reportedly has a few short sections of gravel on it.

I think I ran into about 6-8 sections of gravel, ranging from 10 to 30 feet. For the most part I just pulled in the clutch and coasted through them. One was pretty choppy though so I stopped completely and went through it in 1st with my feet down. There was one that popped up right after a turn though so I was glad we were taking it easy. All in all it was an interesting road to explore, but I will have no reason to ever ride it again.

r6jon · 07-15-2012, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by Mrmat25

I think I ran into about 6-8 sections of gravel, ranging from 10 to 30 feet. For the most part I just pulled in the clutch and coasted through them. One was pretty choppy though so I stopped completely and went through it in 1st with my feet down. There was one that popped up right after a turn though so I was glad we were taking it easy. All in all it was an interesting road to explore, but I will have no reason to ever ride it again.

Was that recent? Did that road washout get repaired about 3 miles up from 99?

Mrmat25 · 07-15-2012, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by r6jon

Was that recent? Did that road washout get repaired about 3 miles up from 99?

Just rode it Friday (7/13) and yep the washout was repaired.

FeralRdr · 07-16-2012, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Hoanghai96

How do you feel about hitting randle going through nf99 then head back and go down to cougar? Will there be enough gas for just one trip or would I have to head to randle again before I go all the way down?

First off, you should be able to make it down to Cougar without any problem.

Secondly, how well do you know your bike (CBR600)? According to 'Motorcycle-USA' you have a 4.8 gallon tank, and according to their testing they got 33 mpg. This means that you should be able to go upwards of 158 miles between fuel stops (assuming your bike can access all the fuel). Even if your not getting at least 33 mpg, you should be able to at least get a solid 140 miles on a full tank if at least getting 30 mpg.

The key point here is that you should have no problem making Windy Ridge and beyond. In fact, if you top off in Randle, after hitting Windy Ridge you should have the range to make it to Carson or Trout lake easily. Simply put, your not limited to just going to Cougar because you have to get fuel.

Those coming from the south are a bit more limited.

We typically advise this:

Cougar > WR > Randle: Bike must have a range of 100+ miles.

Cougar > WR > Cougar: Bike must have a range of 120+ miles.

Cougar > WR > Carson: Bike must have a range of at least 140+ miles.

Cougar > WR > Trout Lake: Bike must have a range of 155+ miles.

Hope this helps.

Hoanghai96 · 07-16-2012, 12:01 PM

I should be good then since I average 40 mpg according to my fuelly even when pushing the bike really hard

thrasher · 07-21-2012, 07:15 PM

I have an 07 600RR and can only manage about 150. I have no engine mods but tend to keep it a little wound up.


07-13-2012, 05:22 PM	#21
Rush66crp Permit Joined: Jan 2012 From: Spanaway, Wa I Ride: S1000RR HP4	Will the stairs be obvious? If not, can you provide a more precise location. I'd love to check them out. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-13-2012, 05:31 PM	#23
Rush66crp Permit Joined: Jan 2012 From: Spanaway, Wa I Ride: S1000RR HP4	Haha, cool thanks. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-14-2012, 01:49 PM	#24
Lucky Strike Training Wheels Joined: Jul 2012 From: Graham I Ride: 2007 Gsxr 750	I will climb them if you tell me where they are. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-14-2012, 02:00 PM	#25
TheSumoBear Peg Dragger Joined: Jun 2012 From: wa I Ride: in the supermoto lane.	Where did you get airborne exactly? Lol __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-15-2012, 10:21 AM	#29
Hoanghai96 Permit Joined: Jun 2012 From: Lakewood, WA I Ride: 2011 Honda CBR250R & 2011 Honda CBR600RR	I was looking at the map and it looked like there is more roads at the end of nf99 has anyone ever gone beyond? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-15-2012, 01:02 PM	#31
FeralRdr Shredder Joined: Aug 2009 From: Portland, OR Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: Nap of the Earth	Google maps shows NF 99 going farther than it actually does. The pavement ends at the parking lot and the road goes to gravel there, and is gated. The only road coming off of NF-99 is NF-26. It is paved, but goes to single lane and reportedly has a few short sections of gravel on it. NF-26 runs from NF-99 back to NF-25 about a mile or so North of the NF-99/25 junction. Also, in regards to fuel: If your bike can go at least a solid 100 miles on a tank of gas, then you should have no problem getting up to Windy Ridge and back, so long as you top off in Randle (if coming from the North), or Cougar (if from the south) before heading up. Additionally, if coming from the south, you will first have to go to Randle to top off, before heading back to Cougar. The Eagle Cliff store (a couple miles NE of the Pine Creek Ranger Station, on NF-90) Sometimes has fuel available, but I haven't noticed the 'Fuel Available' sign the last few times I went by there. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-15-2012, 01:07 PM	#32
Hoanghai96 Permit Joined: Jun 2012 From: Lakewood, WA I Ride: 2011 Honda CBR250R & 2011 Honda CBR600RR	How do you feel about hitting randle going through nf99 then head back and go down to cougar? Will there be enough gas for just one trip or would I have to head to randle again before I go all the way down? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-15-2012, 02:32 PM	#34
Hoanghai96 Permit Joined: Jun 2012 From: Lakewood, WA I Ride: 2011 Honda CBR250R & 2011 Honda CBR600RR	it looks good on paper, just hope it is in trial __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-16-2012, 12:01 PM	#39
Hoanghai96 Permit Joined: Jun 2012 From: Lakewood, WA I Ride: 2011 Honda CBR250R & 2011 Honda CBR600RR	I should be good then since I average 40 mpg according to my fuelly even when pushing the bike really hard __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-21-2012, 07:15 PM	#40
thrasher Licensed Joined: May 2009 From: Sl,UT	I have an 07 600RR and can only manage about 150. I have no engine mods but tend to keep it a little wound up. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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