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Hart’s Pass / Slate Peak

Development Route / ~ Winthrop, Washington / Published: Oct 2019 / Directions
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Photos by Josh Steinitz
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Route:
Out & Back | 29 mi
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Gain:
5,000 ft
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Surface:
100% unpaved
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Technical Difficulty:
Demanding
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Navigation:
Straightforward
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Locale:
Remote
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Tire Suggestion:
45 mm+
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Options:
---

“Hart’s Pass is the highest point in the State of Washington that one can drive. The road was built in 1893 into gold and silver mines that once were home to over 1,000 permanent residents. This narrow road hangs along a cliff wall providing magnificent vistas and breathtaking canyons. The road ends near timberline, over 6000’ in elevation, and opens up into the heart of the North Cascades. Hart’s Pass road accesses the Pacific Crest Trail and a network of other trails heading into the vast Pasayten Wilderness that borders Canada 20 miles to the north. This glaciated landscape provides endless wildflower habitats for exploring from the rocky talus and scree slopes to fellfields, and richly diverse alpine meadows.” [US Forest Service]

“In the end, there is no landscape more beautiful and daunting than what we have in our own backyard. The North Cascades are rugged, relentless, and soulful.” – Chad Kellogg, American mountaineer

“The North Cascades are a place where the water meets the trees meets the rocks meets the snow. It’s a place that can teach a person how small they really are.” – Kelly Martin, superintendent of the North Cascades National Park

“The North Cascades are the American Alps – sheer, inspiring, and packed with epic vistas and ragged peaks. They are one of the last great wildernesses in the United States.” – Joe Riis, wildlife photographer and adventurer

Some will really like this route, and others think not so much. Expect rough and rugged. Be sure to check the comments section for the latest conditions, they are ever changing.

There are a number of great write-ups on the Internet about this route, one of the best is by Our Mother the Mountain.

Read More
Map
Brown = gravel / dirt road
Blue = single track
Red = paved road
Purple = paved bike path
GPX Download   Version 0.2
Ride Details

When We Like to Ride This

Spring to Fall.

Terrain & Riding

There are a number of great write ups on the Internet about this route, one of the best is by the guys at Our Mother the Mountain.

The Start

Lat / Long: 48.655514, -120.514937

Monument Creek Trailhead. Dirt pullout road to the north of the main road.

Notes & Options

Route Options

If you’re looking for more climbing / more distance, there are two additional options we recommend. (1) Start at the Mazama Store, this will add 13 miles and 600 feet of gain, or (2) do the dogleg out to Brown Bear Mine from Harts pass, this will add 3 miles and 400 feet of gain.

Comments

Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!

Help Make This Guide Better!

At Dirty Freehub, we believe the best routes are those that are organic and driven by the riding community. This route and guide is a work in progress, and we need your help to make it better. Truly 5-Star!

How you can help:

  1. Provide route feedback with this quick survey.
  2. Let us know about any points of interest and highlights along the route, submit pictures and videos,
    suggest a best time to ride, etc. You can submit your feedback via the comments block.

Videos

The Ride! Hart’s Pass / Slate Peak (Part 2)

A quick 2-minute video of part 2 of the ride (on the descent), where things start to get a bit interesting with the weather.

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