cascade rail trail

[mra]

We are planning our trip for the new Sierra  Cascades route and noted on map 1 that there is a "Cascade Rail Trail" from Sedro Woolley to Concrete in Oregon that looks to be about 30 miles.  We were wondering if that would be a better option to ride on than the S. Skagit Hwy route that is indicated on the maps?  Just wanted to see if anyone knew anything about the Cascade Rail Trail. 

Thanks for any input.

[CMajernik]

 A website is listed that gives information about the Cascade Trail on the map in the Riding Conditions text.

[vanvalks]

The Cascade trail is an almost level crushed rock rail-trail with a firm surface.  I haven't ridden it yet this year, but last fall it was in good shape.  That said, the South Skagit Highway isn't a bad road to ride on--decent paving and not too much traffic.  The west end of the Cascade Trail is on the east side of Sedro Woolley, about a quarter mile east of Hwy 9; look for the Country Store on the south side of Hwy 20--the trail starts behind the gas station next to it.  The east end of the trail is just north of Hwy 20 in Concrete.

Bob

[indyfabz]

The Cascade trail is an almost level crushed rock rail-trail with a firm surface.  I haven't ridden it yet this year, but last fall it was in good shape.  That said, the South Skagit Highway isn't a bad road to ride on--decent paving and not too much traffic.  The west end of the Cascade Trail is on the east side of Sedro Woolley, about a quarter mile east of Hwy 9; look for the Country Store on the south side of Hwy 20--the trail starts behind the gas station next to it.  The east end of the trail is just north of Hwy 20 in Concrete.

Bob

Curious as to how they compare scenery-wise.  I have have done the S. Skagit Highway twice.  (Think it was before the trail existed.)  It was gorgeous.  No traffic at all when I was there in late May.  But boy did it rain both times.  Made the Adirondak shelters at Howard Miller Steelhead Park all the more sweet.

[mra]

Thank you everyone for the info.  Must have missed reading that on the map.  I imagine either way the scenery will be amazing.

[vanvalks]

The Cascade Trail parallels Hwy 20, but frequently at some distance.  The first half in on  the flats of the Skagit River valley and goes through farmland.  Then it crosses 20 to the north side and runs through scrub woods to Concrete.  The South Skagit runs along the south side of the Skagit River, basically through rural areas.  In either case, if the weather is clear, there are good views of the mountains ahead ("I'm going to ride over THAT?" will be a frequently recurring thought).  However, before the middle of July, the weather is a crap shoot and the chances of it being clear enough to see the mountains are about 1 in 3 or less.  This year so far has been particularly bad--I'm hoping that things get better since I have a North Cascades loop trip planned for July.

Bob

[indyfabz]

However, before the middle of July, the weather is a crap shoot and the chances of it being clear enough to see the mountains are about 1 in 3 or less.

You ain't kiddin'.  When we stayed at Howard Miller it was late May.  We had no idea there were mountains around.  The clouds were so thick and low they obscured everything.  At one point the low clouds disappeared for a bit and we got to see what we were in the shaddows of.

[johnsondasw]

We are planning our trip for the new Sierra  Cascades route and noted on map 1 that there is a "Cascade Rail Trail" from Sedro Woolley to Concrete in Oregon

Just a fine point, but this area is in Washington, not Oregon.  I remember in 1980 when Mt. St Helens blew its top off, Time magazine, or one of those national news mags located the mountain in Oregon, and it's in SW Washington.  And a few years ago when the Seattle Seahawks went to the Super Bowl, the ESPN guy asked, "Where's Seattle, in Alaska or something?"  We just can't get no respect around here.

[mra]

So sorry...I did mean Washington.  I am in dire need of a vacation!

[dancingcyclist]

This may be to late for your trip but I've ridden both many times since I live in Skagit Valley and the S. Skagit Hwy. is a much better ride. The old highway takes you further away from city sounds (hwy20) and puts you in farmland, riverside views and the hillsides. The Cascade Trail has a lot of stops for roads and driveways not to mention some dogs on the large and mean size. The Cascade Trail is also crushed gravel, no pavement anywhere, and had a MAJOR WASHOUT, the Skagit river floods multiple times a year most years) that had not been repaired the last time I road it which was two years ago. The first time I rode it the same place was washed out and that was in 1999. Due to the way budget cuts have been I would find it hard to believe it's been fixed. S. Skagit Hwy. on the otherhand is chipsealed but well packed down and in good shape with little traffic, no loose gravel. You can connect with Hwy. 20 just outside Concrete about 1 mile west. Well marked intersection. I just road it this last July on a loop from Burlington through Arlington to Darrington, Concrete and Sedro. No shoulders to speak off but as I said before little traffic, and NO DOGS.
Keep in mind I usually ride a road bike with 700-23 tires. In the winter (wetter weather) when on the old mountain bike I'll use the Cascade Trail, it's also great for jogging and even in some years skiing.
Hope this helps

[johnsondasw]

And I bet the old Skagit Hwy avoids much of the west wind I've encountered on Hwy 20 on summer afternoons.  Once it howled at about 25 mph all the way from Concrete to Sedro Wooley.  We were worn down by that.

[dancingcyclist]

How true, the winds do come from the west most times, but not at those speeds normally.