The North Cascades Loop

THE NORTH CASCADES LOOP - HIGHWAY 20 AND HIGHWAY 2

Departure time: Sunrise or as early as possible to beat traffic on Highway 20.

Car Checklist:

• CHECK THE FORECAST FOR ROAD CLOSURES ON HIGHWAY 20

• Xpel or Stek protection

• Tire Patch Kit and Compressor

Recommended Items:

• Extra Water and Small Cooler

• A handheld, programmed radio and know how to use it

Dan's Notes:

This is probably the longest single-day drive I recommend as it really does take a lot out of you, but it’s worth it. This is also easily one of our favorite group drives, but pick your group wisely. People often roll their eyes and just assume I’m old when I advise caution on drives, but Highway 20 bites hard when you get it wrong. One time I did this drive and some boulders had recently fallen onto the highway. And when I say boulders, I mean about half the size of my car; the kind that don’t move when you hit them. It’s also fairly busy in the summer months, so be wary of traffic. There are a lot of opportunities to pass here, but you don’t want that psycho in your group who tries to keep up and narrowly misses oncoming traffic on a drive like this. I call that out because there always seems to be some asshat on this drive. Anyway, onto the fun!

The Drive:

We typically meet up at the local Arlington Safeway where gas is somewhat affordable and it’s really the last good stop before heading out Highway 530 to Darrington. This highway in itself is a lot of fun, but often crowded so don’t get too frustrated if you get stuck behind someone. It happens a lot here and there’s not too many passing zones, but enough to make it worth it. Just relax and enjoy the view. There’s a great little Kangaroo Farm (yes, you read that right) on the way out of town from Arlington on 530, but that’s a different trip. Keep going north until you hit Darrington and stop here for a good bathroom break if needed. It’s the last sign of good civilization until Winthrop. There’s a gas station on the corner you can’t miss if you need anything.

From there hit the road to Rockport and Marblemount, and I mention it because you should take it easy rolling into Marblemount especially since it’s well known for being a popular speed trap and it's also your last stop for gas before Winthrop if you have someone with a small tank that needs to top off. The next town, Newhalem, is a good optional spot to stop and get a few pics in front of the old train and there’s a cool little one lane bridge in front of Ladder Creek falls there you can sometimes drive on when it’s open.

The next stop is the easiest to miss, but the most scenic one on the trip - the Diablo Dam. This is an absolutely beautiful stop, but parking here is limited so you'll have to crowd together in a large group. DO NOT BLOCK THE ROAD OR STOP ON THE DAM. If you want that awesome shot of everyone together on the dam then have a driver's meeting across the dam or at the visitor center, get everyone lined up and roll out all at once. Tell everyone to stay in their car and get your photographer ready and waiting on the dam. As you head back across the dam, stop just before the big yellow metal clamps (you'll know what I mean) and line everyone up there. If you have a chase car, position them on the other side to stop traffic for just a minute. The forest rangers will get mad at you if you block traffic for more than a minute (ask me how I know!). 

Your best stop on the drive for a big view is the famous Diablo Lake Vista Point (see below). When you see the lake take it easy going up the hill as it’s on a turn and you’ll definitely want to stop here. The lake is a gorgeous green that’s truly a sight to behold.

When you’re ready get back on the road and continue you on to Winthrop. Take it easy, again, coming into Winthrop. Even 5-10 miles out the road straightens and makes a tempting high-speed passing zone, but you’ll likely have police waiting for you. Traffic is also common going into Winthrop so you’ll want to regain some patience here. There are some fun little shops and restaurants, but save your appetite for the next stop. The road out to Sun Mountain Lodge is a ton of fun even at “normal” speeds so have fun, but watch out for fisherman and tourists coming off the side roads. Take a look at the map before hand so you’re familiar with the road and you’ll be fine and have fun. The end of the road is the Sun Mountain Lodge where you’ll have amazing food and views and you may even want to stay the night. It’s a seriously beautiful destination and well worth the price to stay.

As you leave Winthrop you’ll go through the little town of Twisp, but instead of heading south on Highway 153, take a little detour for a minute and get on the Twisp Carlton road for some fun. This curvy little road isn’t very busy and won’t cost you any time and you’re guaranteed to have more fun unless your Maserati blows a heater hose.

Once you get back on 153 you can stop in Pateros for fuel and food if you need to or keep going onto Chelan for a bite at Stormy Mountain Brewing and Public House or any of the many wineries here. I highly recommend Hard Row to Hoe for fun, photos, and good wine. If you’re feeling sleepy it’s a great place to stop for the night and take a dip in the glacier fed blue water. If anything, just go look at the lake. Chelan is the 3rd deepest lake in the US at 1,500 feet and has some of the cleanest water in the world.

It’s drivers choice on which side of the river you want to go on, but I prefer the east side when I’m heading south since it’s a better view of the river and hills. There’s a cool tunnel on the west side though. Anyway, keep going and then hit up Highway 2 into Leavenworth and have a bit at Munchen Haus, the best Brats in town.  

If you’re still feeling ready to party after all that driving then hit up 97 South after dinner. I’ll cover it more in “The Loop” but I LOVE this section of 97 or Blewett Pass as it’s often called. Watch out for deer in the evening here and I seriously mean it. I’ve almost hit several on this highway and they are no joke.

From Leavenworth keep heading West on 2, but be patient here. Drivers on this road are a special kind of stupid to the point of making most of us homicidal until the passing zones. Just go into it expecting to get stuck, be patient, and wait until the passing zones. I’ve seen the risky passes here go bad before and when it goes bad, it goes really bad. Be patient.

Highway 2 is a blast, but wait, there’s more! Instead of going straight through Monroe, take the lesser known Ben Howard Road to 203 and go into Duvall for a pint at the tavern before heading home.

The Stress Reliever

Dan’s C7 Z06, Jeff Miller’s 964 RS America, and John Zuberek’s E30 M3 on the bridge just outside of Concrete, WA.

MAP: THE STRESS RELIEVER

Departure Time

Like most great drives, earlier is better. The good news is that this route tends to stay relatively quiet even later in the day. Weekdays are often nearly empty, and weekends rarely feel crowded compared to the more famous driving roads around Washington.

Car Checklist

Before heading out, make sure you've got:

• Good tires and brakes

• Tire plug kit and air compressor

• Radios if you're running with a group

Dan's Notes

Back in high school, I'd occasionally skip class and disappear onto these roads to clear my head. Every now and then, I still find myself doing the same thing. While Highway 9, 530, and Finn Settlement Road have picked up a little more traffic over the years, much of northern Snohomish County and western Skagit County still feels remarkably unchanged.

This is one of those drives that reminds you how much great road exists just outside the suburbs. About 100 miles long, easy to enjoy in almost any well-maintained car, and packed with enough variety to keep things interesting without ever becoming exhausting.

One thing to keep in mind: weather around Concrete and Darrington can be completely different from Arlington. Check conditions before you leave. You'll also lose cell service for a decent portion of the route, which honestly feels more like a feature than a bug these days.

The Drive

The best place to start is the Safeway Fuel Station in Arlington. Be aware there are two gas stations at the location: the Chevron sits up front near McDonald's, while the Safeway pumps are behind the store. Fill up here and you probably won't need fuel again for the remainder of the route.

Head north on Highway 9 and expect some light traffic until you pass through the tiny dot on the map known as Bryant. Once Bryant disappears in your mirrors, the drive starts getting interesting. Don't get too distracted though—the turn onto Finn Settlement Road isn't particularly well marked. After crossing the Pilchuck Creek Bridge, you're almost there.

Finn Settlement Road, which transitions into 44th Avenue and eventually Granstrom Road, is usually surprisingly empty. Logging operations can be active on some of the side roads, so keep an eye out for trucks. The route serves up a nice mix of sweepers, tighter corners, short straights, and mild elevation changes. There are plenty of opportunities to pass slower traffic safely, so be patient and avoid riding the bumper of the local who somehow manages to drive fifteen under the speed limit on every road in Washington.

Near the end of Granstrom Road, take a left at the "T" intersection onto Lake Cavanaugh Road. A right turn will loop you around Lake Cavanaugh instead. This stretch remains one of my favorite hidden roads in the area. There aren't many houses, there isn't much traffic, and the road flows well without requiring triple-digit speeds to enjoy yourself.

After reconnecting with Highway 9, take it easy through Big Lake. Don't be the reason the local sheriff has an easy day. Traffic can appear unexpectedly from the Walker Valley ORV area, and enforcement isn't uncommon. If you're hungry, the Big Lake Bar & Grill makes a solid lunch stop before continuing.

Just past Clear Lake, turn left onto South Skagit Highway.

The Forgotten Highway

South Skagit Highway feels like a road most people forgot exists.

When Highway 20 took over as the main route through the area, almost all traffic abandoned this road. The result is a beautiful stretch of pavement that often feels like it belongs exclusively to you. It winds along the Skagit River through forests, farmland, and some surprisingly scenic viewpoints while remaining in remarkably good condition for a road of its age.

Important Warning for Low Cars

If your car sits especially low, pay attention once you pass the Concrete-Sauk Valley Road cutoff.

The concrete road surface ahead hides a series of substantial dips that can catch you off guard. My stock-height Corvette Z06 and Nissan GT-R handled them without issue, but a friend in a very low E30 M3 spent part of the drive creeping through sections at around 15 mph to avoid scraping everything off the underside of the car.

If you're worried about clearance, don't feel obligated to continue through that section. Hop back onto Highway 20 using the cutoff road shown on the map. You'll still experience the majority of what makes this route enjoyable.

Concrete

Make a quick detour into Concrete for photos with the town's famous cement silos.

Movie buffs might recognize them from the 1993 film This Boy's Life, starring Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio. The giant "Welcome to Concrete" lettering painted on the towers has become one of the area's most recognizable landmarks and a favorite photo stop for enthusiasts passing through.

Sauk Valley and Darrington

After leaving Concrete, return to South Skagit Highway and continue east toward Sauk Valley Road.

One of the highlights of the route is the narrow one-lane steel bridge crossing the river. Traffic is usually minimal, making it a great place to stop, stretch your legs, and grab a few photos.

Eventually you'll reconnect with Highway 530 and descend into Darrington.

And yes, just like Big Lake:

Don't speed through Darrington.

The Mountain Loop Country Store makes an excellent stop for snacks, coffee, or a quick break before heading back toward Arlington.

If you've got extra time and want something completely unexpected to end the day, swing by the Outback Kangaroo Farm on your way home. Not many driving routes can end with kangaroos, but this one can.

Why I Keep Coming Back

There are faster roads in Washington. There are more technical roads. There are certainly more famous roads.

But few routes combine solitude, scenery, variety, and accessibility as well as this one.

It's the kind of drive that reminds you why we love driving in the first place—not because you're chasing lap times or trying to impress anyone, but because a good road, a good car, and a few quiet hours can still clear your head better than almost anything else.