GAWR Segment 1 (Columbia)

When to go

• Summer to early fall – some of the passes in Montana and Idaho can still have snow in late May or early June.

Logistics

• Primary information about the Grand Depart and race can be found at The Unsupported Cycling.
• Palouse to Cascade Trail requires a fee. Once paid, you receive a code to unlock boundary gates along the trail.

Dangers and Annoyances

• Dogs – dogs may be encountered anywhere along the route, especially in rural areas where owners don’t properly contain them. Many riders have encountered multiple loose dogs in Beverly, Washington.
• Wind can be very strong and dangerous, particularly on the eastern slopes of the Cascades all the way across the Columbia River. Very high winds have blown riders over as they descend into the Columbia River valley heading into Beverly.
• Ensure to stay on the route through the Yakima Proving Ground. It is an active military base with live fire munitions.
• Ad-hoc route deviations – the ability and skill to reroute due to flooding, fires, weather, construction, etc., will enhance your ride and improve your odds of completing the adventure.

Travel basics

• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport airport in Seattle
• Spokane Airport, Spokane, Washington
• U.S. Visa requirements – U.S. Tourism & Visit Visa

What bike?

• Any comfortable endurance, gravel, adventure, touring type bike that can carry your gear and is durable. You will most likely experience mechanicals due to the route’s length and gravel conditions. Know basic skills and be able to find a bike shop when necessary. You may have to rig a solution until you get to the shop.
• Tire size – 40mm to 2.2 inches with durable compounds and less aggressive tread patterns are recommended.
• Gearing – at least a 1:1 gear ratio between the crank and cassette for the lowest gear. Lower is better.
• Suspension – many riders have completed the route without any suspension components. Stem and seat suspensions may provide additional comfort depending on riders’ preferences. Knowing when and how to adjust your tire pressure for different riding conditions is probably more important than having suspension.

• There are campgrounds and established campsites along the route, especially after entering the Cascade Mountain Range and east of the range to the Idaho border. Many prominent options are noted in the downloadable GPX file and the available services spreadsheet, but there are more.
• There aren’t any sections where wild camping is absolutely necessary as long as you can keep a good pace. The most significant stretch without camping is between Cle Elum and Beverly, making sure you do not wild camp in the U.S. Army’s Yakima Training Center. If wild camping is a must, we recommend setting up after dusk and leaving at dawn. Churches, parks, and other public places are usually safe options, but use your own judgment, and leave no trace. Many small towns allow camping in their parks, but ask the locals before setting up.
• Especially out west, there are ample opportunities to camp on public lands that include National Forest, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and National Grass Lands. You will also legally ride through private land areas on public accessible roads and paths. Understanding whether you are on public or private lands is imperative while camping. Private land ownership is taken very seriously in the United States, so it is of utmost importance that you understand when you will or won’t trespass on private land along the entire route.
• There are hotels/motels/lodging in North Bend, Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Othello, and Ritzville.

• Filterable water is available on most of the western part of the route through Ellensburg. Water becomes more scarce in the high arid eastern section of the route.
• Water is available in most towns along the route. Riders have also asked local residents for water, and most are more than happy to accommodate. Ask before using private water sources.
• Churches are a good source of drinking water as there are usually spigots available. Make sure to ask whether someone is on site.
• There are a fair number of resupply options on this route, as noted in the POIs of the downloadable GPX file and the available services spreadsheet. The longest stretch without resupply is between Ellensburg and Othello (miles 135 to 209). There is potable water around mile 165 at New Doris on the Yakima Training Center, but it is easily missed. Other stretches to consider are between Ritzville and Malden (miles 275-329).
• The main resupply points with significant options are Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Othello, Ritzville, Rosalia, Tekoa, and Plummer.
• There are a few recommended places for food and drink. Listed west to east, they include Mountain High Hamburgers in Cle Elum; Winegards Coffee and Creamery in Ellensburg; The Cow Path Bakery in Othello; Jakes Cafe in Ritzville; and the Gateway in Plummer, ID.

Here’s an example itinerary based on 60- to 80-mile days. Some riders might prefer shorter days, and others may average longer distances, but this provides a solid baseline for a reasonable through-ride itinerary. This assumes you’re a fairly seasoned rider carrying a medium load.

location Seattle, WA, to Alice Creek Campground, WA

Day 1 (69 mi +3,676 ft)

Leaving the Space Needle in Seattle, the route heads due east through the urban cityscape as it skirts Lake Union. Expansive water views follow as the route crosses Lake Washington, a well-known landmark in the Seattle area.

Much of the first day is spent on dedicated bike paths through the eastern suburbs before transitioning to quieter, more remote riding en route to the charming town of Snoqualmie. At Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area, the route joins the Palouse to Cascades Trail and begins its gradual climb into the Cascade Mountains, which it follows for the next 289 miles to the Washington–Idaho border.

Several hiker/biker campsites sit directly on the trail, with Alice Creek Campground being the first.

location Alice Creek Campground, WA, to Ellensburg, WA

Day 2 (72 mi +1,300 ft)

From Alice Creek Campground, the Palouse to Cascades Trail continues climbing the western slopes of the Cascades, offering expansive views that, depending on the season, may include snowcapped peaks. After 10 miles, the Snoqualmie Tunnel appears, delivering a dark and damp 2.2-mile passage through the mountains—lights required.

The remainder of the day trends downhill as the route descends the eastern slopes of the Cascades, parallels the Yakima River, and enters the arid plains of eastern Washington. Temperatures can rise quickly here, and winds are often strong, though they sometimes provide a welcome tailwind.

The trail gradually flattens as it passes near several potential resupply towns before rolling directly through Central Washington University’s campus in Ellensburg. Camping is available at the KOA, and multiple lodging options are available in this city of roughly 20,000.

location Ellensburg, WA, to Othello, WA

Day 3 (75 mi +2,500 ft)

Leaving Ellensburg, the route climbs steadily before crossing the impressive Renslow Trestle, which towers 118 feet above I90. Beyond the trestle lies some of the most challenging riding of the entire route over the next 20 miles.

Trail conditions turn sandy for approximately five miles, potentially requiring hike-a-bike depending on surface conditions. Riders must remain on the trail while passing through the U.S. Army’s Yakima Training Center, where the sound of live-fire exercises may be heard.

At the former railroad stop of New Doris, potable water is available but easy to miss. Watch for large boulders in old railroad cuts, and use caution in high winds when descending toward the Columbia River and crossing the Beverly Bridge. Several camping options are available near Beverly.

With roughly 30 miles remaining to Othello, the expansive, arid hills of eastern Washington continue to dominate the landscape. Camping options in Othello are limited, so lodging is recommended.

location Othello, WA, to Ritzville, WA

Day 4 (62 mi +2,500 ft)

Start the day at Cow Path Bakery, where the baked goods are worth the stop. Leaving town, the route rolls into the wide-open farmland characteristic of central Washington.

A worthwhile break awaits in the small town of Lind at Jim’s Market. Ask locals about camping options—chances are they’ll point you in the right direction. If your timing aligns, the annual Lind Combine Derby is a memorable spectacle, featuring a parade, races, and the town’s signature Combine Demolition Derby hosted by the Lions Club. Results from past derbies are displayed at the eastern edge of town if you miss the event.

Camping is also available in the small community of Ralston before reaching Ritzville, where lodging options are plentiful.

location Ritzville, WA, to Rosalia, WA

Day 5 (67 mi +3,200 ft)

This day delivers more riding through the vast, remote reaches of eastern Washington, climbing rolling hills where cropland gives way to cattle pasture. The first 35 miles pass through sparsely populated country, where the likelihood of seeing another human is low.

Camping is available in both Malden’s and Rosalia’s town parks. Malden was heavily damaged by a wildfire in 2020, which destroyed approximately 80% of the town’s buildings. The community is actively rebuilding and continues to welcome bike travelers.

location Rosalia, WA, to Plummer, ID

Day 6 (30 mi +1,600 ft)

Leaving Rosalia, the route enters the foothills of the Rockies as the landscape shifts to pine forest, greener pasture, and mixed agriculture. Take a break in Tekoa, where resupply is available.

The route then crosses into Idaho and enters sections of the Coeur d’Alene Reservation near Plummer, ID, home to the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. The trailhead is located just outside town.

Finish the day with a stop at the Gateway Restaurant, rewarding yourself with a slice of homemade huckleberry and apple pie.