Driving Distance: 143.7 miles Time: 5 hours riding time (est.)

Lush green farmlands turning to rolling hills and then Evergreen forest. Approaching Mt. St. Helens from the West to the superb Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center. Situated within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, the Center paints an amazing picture of how plants and animals survived the blast and the magic of their recovery throughout the blast zone. Enjoy the accessible quarter-mile Winds of Change Interpretive Trail and marvel at how a stone-filled wind slammed into Coldwater Ridge during the May 18, 1980 eruption transforming the forests into what appeared to be a waste land. Then learn how the gentle winds of time, helped plants and animals return. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Mount St. Helens, newly formed lakes, blown down trees, and the debris- filled Toutle River Valley.

Driving Distance: 182.9 miles Time: 6 hours riding time (est.)

Pleasant rural ride through farmland and into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. If you like the twisties, this ride is for you. Well maintained blacktop forest service roads wind, turn, twist along the way to the spectacular Windy Ridge Viewpoint on the Eastern side of the Volcano. Windy Ridge is one of the best places to get an overview of the area devastated by the 1980 eruption. The landscape is littered with sand and gray rocks from that event. Deposits of the debris avalanche are visible to the west. These include the lower parts of The Spillover, where the debris avalanche traveled up over Johnston Ridge and into the South Coldwater area. The blast stripped most of the vegetation and some soil from many of the older bedrock surfaces, revealing to geologists and visitors previously hidden chapters in the geologic history of the area. Rockfalls from the crater walls stir up ash clouds that curl over the edges of the crater rim, especially in late summer. A faint bluish-white volcanic gas plume is often visible rising from the Lava Dome, and sometimes fumaroles or clusters of fumaroles can be seen there.

Driving Distance: 413.0 miles Time: 13 hours riding time (est.)

This is a full day ride you won't regret. The route is essentially Dan Paulsen's annual Volcano ride. The first portion of the ride takes you to spectacular Windy Ridge as described above, then you continue South through the park arriving at the Columbia river in Carson. Following the mighty Columbia, Bingen makes a good place for lunch. After lunch you head East to a more arid part of the State where the views alternate between Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Hood. Stop for a cool drink in Trout Lake and then back on the road returning through the park. This one ride shows almost every type of terrain and climate the North west has to offer. It is a long day, but you'll be glad you did it.

Driving Distance: 268.8 miles Time: 8 hours riding time (est.)

Washington State is crammed with vertical topography, but when locals mention "The Mountain," there's no mistaking which peak they're referring to. Mount Rainier is without peer in this part of the world. The second highest peak in the lower 48 states, it towers 8,000 feet above the surrounding Cascades peaks to an amazing 14,411 feet, and is such a behemoth that it creates its own weather. Ride the Southern and Eastern slopes and be astounded by the beauty "our" Mountain provides. Detour to places such as "Paradise" and "Sunrise" for breathtaking views and world class photographic opportunities.

Driving Distance: 653.6 miles Time: 15 hours riding time (est.)

This is the big one, and really should be done as a two day ride to enjoy all it has to offer. Winthrop makes a wonderful overnight spot and has both hotel and camping available. This is another "See It All" ride. Enjoy the lush Eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula, take a relaxing Ferry ride (motorcycles go to the head of the line) across to Whidbey Island with its unique climate in the rain shadow of the Olympics. Cross the awesome Deception Pass bridge, traverse the North Cascades Highway, take in the enormity of the Skagit River Hydro-Electric project with it's series of dams. Visit the historic Western town of Winthrop then the beautiful Methow valley East of the Cascades. Returning West agin stop in the Bavarian villiage of Leavenworth, over Stevens Pass and then back to Centrailia. If you only get one trip to Washington, this is the "must do ride" that shows you the best of the Evergreen State.

Driving Distance: 418.6 miles Time: 12 hours riding time (est.)

Circumnavigate the Peninsula and be treated to lush Evergreen forests, famous "Hurricane Ridge" atop the Jagged Olympic mountains, seaside views along the Straights of Juan DeFuca, the Hoh rainforest and more. Weather here is never predictable, raingear is recommended just in case an afternoon shower comes through.

Driving Distance: 220.3 miles Time: 7 hours riding time (est.)

Enjoy a scenic ride out to the Washington coast and marvel at the gaping mouth of the Columbia as it spills into the Pacific. Stroll the quaint town of Astoria and take a jaunt down the Oregon Coat to Seaside. While there are certainly some places to see, this trip is more about the leisurely ride on the backroads. Good for a "short" day before or after one of the more lengthy rides.