Burpee Hill Rd(sh)
In the Cascade Mtns of Washington it
is difficult to find a nice paved loop ride over
an interesting mountain pass. The mountains are
there - but roads to form loops just aren't.
Dayrides over high paved passes tend to be out and
back. This little hill makes a pleasant loop
without traffic, but it is confined to low
foothills.
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1.(00.0m,0190ft)START-END
WEST:jct US20 - Baker Lake Rd
2.(06.8m,940ft)profile turns right onto
Burpee Hill Rd
3.(08.0m,1140ft)TOP
4.(11.0m,0230ft)START-END EAST:jct US20 -
Burpee Hill Rd in Concrete
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Approaches
From West. After a
shallow climb on Baker Lake Rd a right turns past
a collection of vacation trailer homes, grouped
around a real estate office. The name is Lake Tie.
There is a very short steep section then a rolling
road over the top. Just before the top a small
lake invites to rest.
From East. A curvy
quick descent leads into Concrete. The descend is
densely forested. Thick mossy tree branches
protrude over the road. Once in a while the road
crosses a section cleared of forest, but there is
not much to see in the distance..
Concrete is a quaint collection of houses, whose
claim to fame is that it once used to be next to
the highway, at least according to the sign in
town. Actually the town is better off at a safe
distance from the new highway. A large concrete
grain silo has been left standing to decay in
picturesque fashion - as historical monument maybe
?
A Dayride with this
summit as highest point:
COMPLETELY PAVED:
( < Washington
Pass | Mt
Baker Hiway > )
Burpee Hill Rd(sh) , additional out and back :
several miles north of jct Baker Lake Rd -
Burpee Hill Rd on Baker Lake Rd > Baker Lake Rd
south > Burpee Hill Rd east > Burpee Hill
Rd(sh) > Concrete > across bridge to south
side of Skagit River > South Skagit Hwy west
> jct with Wa9 south of Sedro-Wooley <>
out and back on Wa9 south with turnaround point a
small distance south of Clear Lake >>
Sedro-Wooley > Cokedale > Minkler Rd east
> Lyman-Hamilton Hwy east with scenic detours
> Hamilton > Cape Horn Rd east > Rasar
State Park > Birdsview > Baker Lake Rd north
back to starting point: 75.4miles with 2260ft of
climbing in 5:42hrs (garmin etrex30 r4:17.8.5)
Notes: this is a ride around a section of
Skagit River, with this summit thrown in as
diversionary climb. There are no bridges across
the Skagit between Concrete and Sedro-Wooley, so
that part of the loop cannot be made any
smaller. The entire section north of the river I
rode with members of the Cascade Bicycle
(touring) club, who were one of of their week
long Rides across Washington. Some members are
much more friendly than others.
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