Written by and Photos by Bret Tkacs. Posted in Rides
If you are looking for a world-class adventure ride in the lower 48… look no further. This IS the ride to do!
The WABDR (Washington Backcountry Discovery Route) is approximately 650 miles of forest service roads, fire roads, and jeep trails connecting Oregon State to Canada. This incredible route will take you along the high mountain ridges along the Washington cascade, past the rich soils of Eastern Washington.
PSSOR guide/instructor, Bret Tkacs, kneeling in front Mt. Rainier and six new adventure riders on their first true off-pavement adventure.
Living in Washington, and being too late in the season for another trip to Alaska or Mexico, I took a trip on the WABDR running south to north the first week of October. The first leg of the route is a great warm-up beginning at the “Bridge of the Gods” near Stevenson, where you will be led north through the heavy forest canopies of Western Washington.
This first leg ends near the small logging town of Packwood, where you’ll begin the longest stretch of pavement along the WABDR. This isn’t a bad thing as it will take you along Highway 12, one of the scenic highway passes, towards the east side of the state where you will rejoin the dirt for your northern treks.
The second leg is my favorite, being the most technically challenging (there are less challenging alternates for lesser skilled riders and bigger bikes). It was impossible to stop smiling as I shot along the backroads ranging from well-maintained forest service roads to forgotten jeep trails.
Like a mountain goat trail, the roads move back and forth as they climb the steep mountain walls providing breathtaking vistas all the way, every turn in the road calling for you to pause and take in the majestic snowcapped mountain peaks surrounding you.
As the WABDR transitions from the dense evergreen forest of the west to the sparse pines of the drier climate, the ground becomes looser and more challenging. Beastly bikes like the BMW R1200GS can wrestle and push their way through this second leg, like a bull pushing through a crowd of people.
It’s more work than pleasure, though, as this section is an absolute dream ride for bikes like the KLR650, BMW G650GS, or even my travel companion the BMW F800GS; the remaining four legs are easy to traverse even on a V-Strom, or other more street-biased adventure machines.
Of course there are less challenging alternatives for larger bikes or less experienced adventurers. The end of the second leg lands in the city of Ellensburg, where there are ample stores to resupply if needed (one of the best street rides in Washington leaves south from Ellensburg south along the Yakima river… worth the detour if you have the time).
The next four legs lead you to the Chopaka border crossing and continue to take you up and down the mountains, across valley floors, along the shores of Lake Chelan, through forest ravaged by fire, and along high mountain ridges where you will understand how Zeus felt as he looked down on the world below.
Camping is abundant along the way and there are even some state campgrounds if you prefer facilities. Each of the six legs lands near civilization for those preferring the comforts of a hotel and hot meal. Most of my adventure riding is closer to dirt than street, and I was expecting this to be a real bore… I was happily disappointed.
This ride rocks and was vastly more entertaining than even my recent trip to Alaska! Now I understand why adventure riders are flying to Washington State from all over the world to take advantage of these incredible roads and scenic vistas.
Maps and video of the WABDR: Touratech-USA.com
Free GPS downloads: RideBDR.com
WABDR notes:
- Most riders will take four to six days to complete the WABDR.
- Much of the route is without cell service so a SPOT, PLB, or sat phone is recommended.
- This is a great ride for riders with some experience but not good if it is your first time off pavement.
- Free camping is available along most of the route, pay sites are available as well.
- Route was selected for larger adventure bikes in the 650cc range and above.
- Route can easily be traveled as a complete route or in sections.
- There are a plethora of twisty scenic paved roads surrounding the WABDR.
- Pack a first aid kit and know what you are doing… these are remote areas.
- Strongly recommend wearing off-road boots or heavy-duty adventure boots.