Mount St. Helens Ride April 2005

[image: Click for full size]

Well, I thought I would post a short ride report from yesterday's ride.

I decided that it would be a nice day to ride up to Mount St. Helens, as I hadn't been up 504 since I had my last bike in 1993. Hooked up with a couple of riders from another board, and off we went.



(IMG:http://landofopus.com/rides/mt_st_helens_april_2005/images/map.jpg)

Here's the route. Portland to Castle Rock, up 504 to Coldwater Visitor Center, back down 504 to 505, up 505 to Toledo, down I-5 to 506 (Vader exit), where we had lunch. Took 506 towards Vader for a bit, then turned south on 411. Took 411 all the way down to Kelso, bypassing a good portion of I-5 in the process, then hopped back on I-5 to Portland.

Total mileage was around 240 miles.

The highlight of the trip was that there was almost no traffic once we got up into the hills, which allowed for 100+ MPH sweepers. That was awesome, and the fastest I've ever taken corners since I got the bike. Top speed for the day was about 125. Nice!

Oh, and I've had the bike for about 7 weeks now, with one week off while I ordered my helmet. I've already got almost 2000 miles on it. Not too shabby. Plus I've got a 1500 mile trip coming up in May, and a 4000 mile trip in June. Can't wait!



(IMG:http://landofopus.com/galleries/mount_st_helens_april_2005/photos/photo2.jpg)

Here's the obligatory "Let's meet at the gas station" pic. I'm on my relatively new VFR, with it's "Hi-Viz" asphalt paint job. Jim is riding his FJR1300, and Jason is on his BMW R1150R.


(IMG:http://landofopus.com/galleries/mount_st_helens_april_2005/photos/photo5.jpg)

This is about halfway up 504. I had to stop to swap out my gloves. Starting out it was about 47 deg., but at this point it was dropping towards a low of 33 deg.


(IMG:http://landofopus.com/galleries/mount_st_helens_april_2005/photos/photo28.jpg)

This is also where we realized there was snow in the hills. :D


(IMG:http://landofopus.com/galleries/mount_st_helens_april_2005/photos/photo8.jpg)

Ok, at this point the temp. had dropped to 33 deg., the road was wet, and we had some significant snow on the sides of the road. I was a little worried about ice, but it turned out ok.


(IMG:http://landofopus.com/galleries/mount_st_helens_april_2005/photos/photo36.jpg)

This was at a viewpoint, right after where we stopped for the last pic. Really beautiful up there!


(IMG:http://landofopus.com/galleries/mount_st_helens_april_2005/photos/photo35.jpg)

Here's my (totally unbiased) favorite pic of the day. ;)


(IMG:http://landofopus.com/galleries/mount_st_helens_april_2005/photos/photo38.jpg)

This was taken up at the visitor center, the end of the road. There is another visitor center closer to the mountain, but it's not open until May.


(IMG:http://landofopus.com/galleries/mount_st_helens_april_2005/photos/photo39.jpg)

Mount St. Helens in the background.


(IMG:http://landofopus.com/galleries/mount_st_helens_april_2005/photos/photo42.jpg)

Mount St. Helens.


(IMG:http://landofopus.com/galleries/mount_st_helens_april_2005/photos/photo16.jpg)

Another one of the mountain.


(IMG:http://landofopus.com/galleries/mount_st_helens_april_2005/photos/photo44.jpg)

Coldwater Lake.


(IMG:http://landofopus.com/galleries/mount_st_helens_april_2005/photos/photo19.jpg)

At the Vader exit, after lunch. We were trying to see what road we could take instead of I-5, which turned out to be 411 down to Kelso. Jason is on the right.


(IMG:http://landofopus.com/galleries/mount_st_helens_april_2005/photos/photo20.jpg)

That's Jim on the left, and me on the right.

That's the end of the pictures, as we busted down 411 and then I-5. We had a great time, with no rain at all. We *did* see some snowflakes at one point, but just for a minute.

Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed the pictures.

Looks like a you guys had a pretty good time. I won't say anything about the weather because I know how dry it has been and how bad things are looking for the summer. A little snow in the mountains and rain in the lower levels would have been nice.

Another good trip, but a little longer, is out to Neah Bay. If you want good directions and a place to stop along the way, drop me a PM.

:beer:

jwahrmund, Apr 3 2005, 05:10 PMLooks like a you guys had a pretty good time.  I won't say anything about the weather because I know how dry it has been and how bad things are looking for the summer.  A little snow in the mountains and rain in the lower levels would have been nice. 

Another good trip, but a little longer, is out to Neah Bay.  If you want good directions and a place to stop along the way, drop me a PM.

:beer:

Well, it's been raining for the last two weeks, and is raining today. I didn't mind that it took a short break so I could enjoy a Saturday. :D

Great ride. Looks like something I would love to do.

Nice pics!! Thanks for the report.

VFRMike.

Looks like fun! :thumbsup:

Thanks! I realized last night I didn't have any action shots. Doh! Of course, I'm new at Ride Reports, so I don't feel so bad.

Still, having a shot of a 100+ MPH sweeper would have been awesome. =D

Thanks for sharing....looks like some beautiful country.

Great pics - love the dedication getting out this early in the season in the mountains.

Gas is a little pricey out there, huh?

Moved to feature, love the Coldwater Lake picture - well named place! If you would please upload the Streets and trips file in the original post, as an attachment so I can check it out on my computer? I would like that Thanks.

HispanicSlammer, Apr 8 2005, 10:18 PMMoved to feature, love the Coldwater Lake picture - well named place!  If you would please upload the Streets and trips file in the original post, as an attachment so I can check it out on my computer? I would like that Thanks.

Here ya go!

Streets And Trips File