WABDR 2020!

The Washington Backcountry Discovery Route is a 575 mile off-road tour that begins (or ends) in Stevenson, Wa and ends (or begins) in Nighthawk, Wa. The route is divided into six sections and takes the adventurer through multiple geological and climate zones. Our crew left Nighthawk on 12 June 2020.

SECTION 6

Canada to Conconully

66 miles.

Major thunder/lightning and rain...

Early morning start to WABDR. Canada in background.

Up the grade out of Loomis. Looking north to Palmer Lake.

20 minutes into the trip, time to air down the skins.

Pissed rain most of the way through Section 6.

Corralled at the corral.

Corral at Skull and Crossbones.

View from Lone Frank Pass, at 6700’ it is the highest point on the route.

Beer break at LFP.

Conconully. The end of section 6. On to Chelan...

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SECTION 5

Conconully to Chelan

103 miles.

Fueled up in Conconully. Got Ice. No big deal. Be aware, the next place along the route for fuel is in Chelan. Lost steering...

Up Ruby Grade, south of Conconully lies this wall in the woods. China wall.

I lost my steering. Loose nuts on u-bolts. Always bring tools!

Ruins on the way to Loup Loup.

Second night out. Near Loup Loup.

I stay dry.

Headed towards Carlton.

Miles of burn.

Always wait for the last man.

More burns. This was a major disaster a few years ago. Carlton complex fires.

Speaking of Carlton. Don’t plan on purchasing fuel there. The nearest fuel is in Twisp.

Up the hill out of Carlton.

About halfway to Chelan from Carlton.

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SECTION 4

Chelan to Cashmere

104 miles.

We fueled up and hit the road for an extremely steep climb. Hot transmissions, broken windshields and kickdown/throttle issues... Farewell to LaMan, the vagrant and Sirenhead.

If you are concerned about a nice paint job -or- are worried about mirrors stay off this route. The jungle takes. There is an alternate route through this mess.

The 47rh transmission was getting very hot. I am running two B&M plate coolers, each with an 8 inch Mishimoto fan. I did not want to take any chances so we stopped fo a minute to cool down. Pro tip: Shift your transfer case into low and let the steel and 90w take the heat. Instant cooling on transmission. It never went above 175f in low range.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE! I am glad the guy who would have been riding in that seat had to bail last minute.