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 Editors' Choice Aug 2007
Great roads and scenery along the way. A must do ride for the Pacific Northwest!
I would recommend this trip for a number of reasons. Most of the roads are in good shape and it's a fun ride with great scenery. You get right up to Mt. St Helens and Spirit Lake, which is still covered with blown down trees from the blast. You also get to see the devastation that Mt. St Helens caused when it blew, and that was around 20 years ago or more.
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There are a number of lookouts along the way, and the closer you get to the Windy Ridge Lookout (end of the road) the more pullout and lookouts you will find. Most are on Forest Service road 99, which turns off of Forest Service road 25. This is the road that takes you to the Windy Ridge Lookout. It is also the road that is in the worst condition. In terms of general road conditions, be very careful of dips, gravel, and some potholes not to mention traffic coming the other way. From Carson Washington to the Windy Ridge Lookout you are riding on two lane forest service roads that are winding, narrow in places and with many potholes after you turn on to Forest Service road 99. I would say the skill level is at least above the beginner stage.
For more information, check out the Pacific Northwest Riders Forum. Here's an excerpt from a recent report:
"National Forest Road 25 makes up most of the 64 mile stretch between Randle and Cougar and is likely the longest stretch of almost uninterrupted stretch of twisties in the state. NF 25 is the heart of some of the best riding you'll find anywhere and days could be spent exploring the nearby roads. Although a little bumpy on the North half of the road, it's still a blast and the bottom half is as good as it gets.
As soon as you enter the park, the road leaves farmland and enters the forest and it doesn't take long to get fun. You'll hit a few sweepers and a couple tighter corners as the road winds past an info station and some camping sites. 8 miles after entering the National Forest and the road gets very tight and the corners don't stop till you get to Cougar. As you fly by Iron Creek Picnic area get ready for a sharp right hand corner followed by a few switchbacks. These corners set the tone for the road for the next 10 miles as you head toward Windy Ridge."
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