An incredibly diverse succession of terrain, from glacial plains to volcanic blast zones; exalted mountain ridges, rainforests, woodlands to lava flows frozen in time, all come to define this Northwest road cycling epic. And the wildlife is diverse too; keep your eye out for emus!
From Mount St. Helen’s, we range further into the Cascade Range and into the heart of Pacific Northwest’s ring of fire. Sweeping into Mount Rainier National Park, we behold the highest peak in the Cascades, 14,114-ft. Rainier, both a Washington State icon and a sacred place, known as Tahoma or Tacoma to the Coast Salish people.
On scenic roads, historic highways, over visually enthralling bridges, our tour winds up atop the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge; then pays homage to Oregon’s most prominent landmark, 11, 249-ft Mt. Hood.
“They (trip leaders) worked very hard every day and made sure that all guests needs were met and were very good at adapting when needed. It is obvious that they love to ride just as much as I do which to me makes the trip so much better. They are the kind of people that you would want to hang out and ride on a regular basis.” – Monty M.
Day 1: Meet in Portland, Oregon, a.k.a. City of Roses. A 100-mile shuttle, north, brings us to Ike Kinswa State Park: a 421-acre preserve, defined predominantly by broad shoreline along Mayfield Lake. The day’s first ride shoots east, routing towards Mount St. Helens: the most active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range. Triggered by a 5.1 Richter scale earthquake, Mount St. Helen’s summit was reduced, at once, one third of a mile, or four-football fields: from 9677-ft. to 8363-ft. A subsequent debris avalanche carved out a deep, mile-wide crescent from Helen’s crown. Given those cues and atmospherics, expect nothing but an epic climb to the blast zone. Nicknamed “Fuji-san” (pre-eruption) we sweep past conspicuous layers of basalt flanked by broad channels of volcanic rock. Frozen igneous rock to moving ice, Mount St. Helen’s is now distinct for having the only known advancing glacier in the contiguous US. Refueled by lunch—the second/afternoon stage sweeps around 23-mile long Riffe Lake, a reservoir on the Cowlitz River. Our ride churns up, down; then ascends again, as though commencing an extended cycling pilgrimage to Mount Rainier’s western slope. Not only the apex within the Cascades, Rainier’s 14,411-ft peak is the most glaciated in the lower 48. Our ride closes out in Ashland, (pop. 21,117). Known for world-class theatre productions, such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF), as well as ultra-inviting spa retreats, our Ashland accommodations—Deep Forest Cabins and Valley Cottages—are a made-for base for cyclotouring, explorations and lengthy chin stroking around Mt. Rainier.
Day 2: Today’s ride sweeps up the western side of 236,381-acre Mount Rainier National Park. Designated by President McKinley in 1899, Rainier became America’s fifth national park. Eleven years earlier, John Muir was among a rather accomplished group of five to summit. One of the highlights of today’s stage is a sweep past Nisqually Glacier. Occupying the southwest face of Rainier, the four-mile long Nisqually Glacier peaked size-wise in 1850, during The Little Ice Age. Nearly two miles in total area, Nisqually lurches approximately 29-inches each day. From a high plateau alongside Nisqually, the most high-def of Rainier’s 35-miles of glaciers and snowfields, our routing transitions into a long, Danish buttery smooth descent. Rolling past the 6900-ft Tatoosh Peaks, we visually immerse in 25 equally distinctive and prominent peaks: from Moon Mountain to Unicorn Peak. The ride ultimately wends into the Grove of the Patriarchs: a remote, deep valley given palpable majesty by stands of enormous old growth trees. From the Ohanapecosh area at the southeast edge of Mount Rainier National Park, our peloton sweeps along the Cowlitz River. A tributary of the Columbia River, the Cowlitz also represents a significant piece of the 2586-sq mile drainage basin that draws from Mount St. Helen’s, Rainier and Mount Adams. Merging onto US Route 12, we throttle back on level blacktop 15-miles to the Crest Trail Lodge, our comfy if small-town modest layover spot.
Day 3: Depending on route options, preferences and road conditions, today’s ride ranges from 22 to 97-phenomenal, Pacific Rim miles. Paralleling the Cowlitz River, our group surges through the hamlet of Randle; then into the 1.32-million acre Gifford Pinchot National Forest, one of America’s oldest national forests (set aside in 1908). Randle represents the northeast access point to the Mount St. Helens/Windy Ridge Viewpoint, via an improved Forest Service road. Continuing to run alongside the Cowlitz River, our route delivers stellar views of both Mount St. Helen’s, as well as Mount Adams to the east. Peaking out at 12,276-ft., Adams symbolizes the high point in the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest. Answering only to Rainier, Adams is the second tallest mountain in Washington State. At the same time, the effects of the frequent eruptions from the Pacific Northwest’s stratovolcanos are writ large: from volcanic mud streams to the deeply scalloped crater where Mount St. Helen’s summit used to reign. Yet we visit Mount St. Helens, not for the disaster porn, or to simply be overwhelmed by a volcanic landscape. We ride, view find and interpret this landscape owing to the process of regeneration. Amongst Mother Nature’s foremost attributes, Mount St. Helen’s more recent narrative has been one of profound rebirth. Notwithstanding the sole advancing glacier in the entire Lower 48, a whole new world of vibrant forest, creeks, lakes and waterfalls spreads in the shadow of a once iconic peak. To that end, today’s ride is given over to exploring the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, as well as the surrounding Gifford Pinchot National Forest. From up-close/long exposure to volcanic lahars to the wildly adaptable if not resilient terrain created by the eruption, our group also sweeps through soothing evergreen forest. A different kind of eruption, that of wildflowers blooming in a riot of blue, red, yellow and lavender overcomes the subalpine meadows edging our route. At various stops, we revel in brimming cold water. In sum, from great destruction comes truly staggering renewal. Our day wraps at the Columbia River Gorge. More than 4000-ft deep and stretching some 80-miles in length, the Columbia River Gorge acts as the boundary between Washington and Oregon. A dynamic and varied landscape, the gorge transitions from temperate rainforest to dry grasslands; no less than 90 waterfalls tumble from its Oregon side. The gorge’s deep cut not only renders it the only navigable route through the Cascades, windsurfers and kite surfers flock here in great numbers for the enviable wind-tunnel effect. We overnight in luxury at the Skamania Lodge resort in Stevenson, WA. (within the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. Think Northwest style posh.)
Day 4: Our top of the morning unfolds, via shuttle, following the Columbia River. Heading east, we hike into Multnomah Falls. At 620-ft. high, dropping down two tiers and given dramatic framing by basalt cliffs, Multnomah is Oregon’s tallest waterfall, the second highest in America. It is also the most viewed/visited natural site in the Pacific Northwest. Our epic stage finds dramatic flourish, 40-miles east of Portland at the Bridge of the Gods. Where Charles Lindberg flew his “Spirit of St. Louis” beneath the steel cantilever and truss bridge in 1927, we sweep over its 1856-ft long span, 140-ft above the Columbia River. Riding the Lewis and Clark Highway, with the Columbia River a churning-rushing constant on one side, our peloton sweeps into and out of hillsides. The stage climaxes at Hood River. We overnight in style at the Columbia River Gorge Hotel and Spa.
Day 5: Wind down day. Closing out, our ride pours over the historic Columbia River Highway. Built from 1913 to 1922, this scenic byway—originally promoted by the lawyer-businessman Sam Hill—overlooks the Gorge before linking with Highway 2. Now closed to cars, the erstwhile highway has been reimagined and reborn into a rather exemplary bike path, sweeping through a succession of timeworn tunnels and along broad, picturesque cliffs. After lunch, we shuttle back to Portland.
Accommodations may vary depending on your departure date. Call us at 1.800.596.2953 for more details.
Night 1: Whittaker's Motel and Historic Bunkhouse | Ashford, WA
30205 WA-706
Ashford, WA 98304
Providing lodging for all climbers, hikers, skiers or anyone visiting the Mount Rainier area. The Bunkhouse was built in 1912 to house loggers and mill workers in the Ashford Valley. Renovated in 1990 by Lou and Ingrid Whittaker, Whittaker’s Motel & Historic Bunkhouse offers lodging in 18 cozy rooms with private baths, or for those seeking a more Hostel-like environment, the Bunk Room sleeps up to 6 people with shared bathroom and shower.
“Whittaker Bunkhouse was the perfect place for our family! Rooms are clean, prices are modest, and a cafe and grill restaurant served us great breakfast, lunch and dinner! The service was outstanding!! Friendly and accomodating! The have a staff member who specializes knowledge of the park helped us with hiking maps and suggestions! We are so grateful! Would definately go again!”
-Nancy M.
Night 2: Crest Trail Lodge | Packwood, WA
12729 US-12
Packwood, WA 98361
Comfortable rooms provide all the amenities you would expect, including free Wi-Fi, flat screen televisions with cable, air conditioning and heat, microwaves, refrigerators, and Keurig coffeemakers in a beautiful, quiet setting. Every morning between 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., you can get a full continental breakfast freshly prepared to start your day.
“The hotel was very clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. The complimentary wine was such a treat after a day of driving. The picnic tables outside we’re relaxing to sit at and enjoy the scenery. I will definitely be back to stay on my next trip!”
-fungirl96
Night 3: Skamania Lodge | Stevenson, WA
1131 Skamania Lodge Dr
Stevenson, WA 98648-6186
Skamania Lodge is located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in the town of Stevenson, Washington. The resort offers a distinctly Pacific Northwestern experience, featuring a three-story stone fireplace, sweeping river views in the main lobby,four floors of picturesque guestrooms, two locally-inspired restaurants, Skamania Lodge Adventures, the Skamania Lodge Golf Course and a full-service spa. The hotel provides a truly unique way to experience the Gorge with four“Away in the Woods” Tree Houses, each designed to provide a truly immersive, outdoors experience.
“We LOVED our time at Skamania Lodge! We had the privilege of staying in the treehouses. They were beautiful, private, quiet, peaceful and we loved the fireplace. The food was excellent and the personalized service we received all over the Lodge made our stay just that much more wonderful. These are some of the most friendly and attentive people I’ve ever met. We will definitely be back.”
-a_stellman
Night 4: Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa | Hood River, OR
4000 Westcliff Dr
Hood River, OR 97031
Perched atop the majestic cliffs of the Columbia River, The Columbia Gorge Hotel has 40 guest accommodations with private bath. Facilities include our award-winning Simon’s Restaurant, the Valentino Lounge, and outdoor terrace for dining or drinks. All accommodations feature limited room service, air conditioning and state-of-the-art 32” flat panel televisions with cable programming. Daily newspaper, morning coffee in the Valentino Lounge and wireless Internet are all included.
“We really enjoyed our stay. We received great service from the moment we walked into this beautiful hotel. After checking in we were greeted by the charming bell captain who showed us our lovely room with a great view of the Columbia River. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner and a great brunch the next morning. Everyone was so pleasant and helpful and the hotel is a step back in time. We will make a point to come back soon.”
-CanIseeitall
While every Escape Adventure trip is designed to appeal to active adventure seekers, and in many cases, particular skill levels, there is always a different idea of what that exactly means. That is why we have designed the chart below to help make sure you join the proper tour. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companions’ may differ as well. We present a range of mileage options on each tour as well as provide support vehicles as much as possible. That way you can take a break and do as little or as much as you would like each day.
You will be riding and sleeping at elevations over 4,000 ft. for this trip. Weather predictions in this area are often unreliable due to the elevation, so it is best to be prepared for cold evenings and inclement weather. Please use the following locations when checking the weather online: ASHFORD, WA and PORTLAND, OR.
All internal land expenses and services are covered in the cost of your tour. This means from the time we pick you up at our meeting point, until we drop you back off to head home, all transportation, food preparation, meals (except where noted on itineraries), snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, group supplies and community gear (portable chairs, large awnings, coolers, utensils, etc.) are included. Backcountry permits, licenses, park fees, reservations, and accommodations (lodging) are also included, along with at least two professionally trained trip leaders, a mobile first aid and mechanic station, spare bikes, and a support vehicle(s). Trip price does not include airfare, lodging prior to trip start or bicycle rental and/or camping gear (if on a camping tour) unless otherwise noted on itinerary or website.
Renting Bicycles
Not only do we run an international bike tour business, but we also own and operate two premiere bicycle stores – www.LasVegasCyclery.com and www.MoabCyclery.com. We have learned over the years that every cyclist is different and prefers different types of bikes for different types of terrain. That is why we offer the best bicycles for rent in the business. If for some reason you are not happy with the quality of your rental, we will refund the cost of your entire bike rental. If you are bringing your bike with you, check with your airline’s baggage policy in advance and be sure to pack your bike accordingly. If you are shipping your bike to your destination, confirm the address with our office and allow enough time for your bike to arrive. We’re happy to help you ship your bike. Whatever you need to get the most out of your tour, we are here to make it happen.
Free With Every Tour
When you join an Escape Adventures tour in 2024, you will receive a FREE custom sublimated Limited Edition Jersey!
Make your trip as comfortable as possible on the body, as simple as possible for traveling, and hassle free on tour. By choosing to rent a bike from us, we will fit you with the newest, highest quality gear in the industry. Escape Adventures provides only high-end bicycles from Specialized. We replace our rental fleet each season to ensure all our bikes meet our high standards. All of our bikes are equipped with carbon fiber frames and disc brakes designed for a smooth, comfortable ride. For those who are touring with a companion who may not be as fit or need a little help up the hills, we now have e-bikes (electric pedal assist) available on select tours.
Nite Ize Wraptor Smart Phone Mount
Look Ma, no hands! Stay connected and safe with this “game-changer” mobile accessory. The Wraptor gives you full screen visibility and holds your phone safe and securely, even over rough terrain. It’s designed to quickly attach and detach from the bar, and the base rotates between landscape and portrait mode with ease. It’s a must-have if you want to spend less time fiddling with your device and more time pedaling your bike.
NiteRider Lumina Micro 650 and Sabre 80 Combo
It’s lit! When it comes to bike safety, illumination is key. Even when you are on the road in the daytime, you need to be seen from all directions. So we’ve teamed up with NiteRider to offer the best daytime lighting for your ride. Each road bike is equipped with a headlight and a taillight with the proper lumen output and run time to keep you safe from every angle.
Specialized Roubaix Disc ($65/day)
Specialized has perfected the road bike. Ride confidently and comfortably for longer distances on any of our trips around the world. All of our bikes are equipped with the latest components and our 2019 models include disc brakes.
Specialized Sirrus Hybrid ($50/day)
Specialized hybrid bikes are the most comfortable bikes available. Our most popular bike for multi-sport and moderate road bike tours is the proven Sirrus. This bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. This bike sits upright, is equipped with a very comfortable seat, and the gearing has a wide range of speeds.
Specialized Tero Hybrid E-Bike ($70/day)
For those of you who have always wanted to join a bike tour but feared your fitness would hold you or the group back, fear no more. Our incredible e-bike option allows you to do more, go twice as fast and far. The all new Specialized Tero has one goal and one goal only—to inspire you to get out, get moving, and to have some fun along the way. E-bike available on most casual and luxury inn trips for an additional price.
Specialized Turbo Creo E-Bike ($100/day)
Take a deep breath, turn on the power and enjoy a beautiful adventure on the all new Escape Adventure’s Electric Road Bike. The new road E-Bike from Escape Adventures now allows you to travel further distances and explore new areas. The pedal assisted technology also allows beginner and novice riders to join in on more challenging routes and terrain.
For over 25 years, the hallmark of an Escape Adventures tour is personalized, hands-on service. Before, during, and after each trip. We are a company of honesty and integrity and we stand behind our product 100%. From the moment you learn of our trips, to the time you return home and start planning your next trip, we are here to bring you the best possible experience. From our Guaranteed Trip Departure Confirmation Policy, making sure your trip is never cancelled*, to our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Policy, backing the unrivaled consistent quality of all our tours, our commitment to you is never compromised. * Scheduled Domestic trips only.
Our Commitment to the Environment
Our environmental commitment is second to none. We run our tours the same way we run our company, with an eye on the triple bottom line: People, Profit & Planet. At Escape Adventures, we elected to pursue a more comprehensive approach to actually reduce our carbon footprint, rather than just offset it. We overhauled our entire operation — from our vehicles, to our buildings, to our procedures — to become an outdoor industry leader in the charge to help our people and our planet.
Exceptional Service and Exceptional Guides
Leading tours naturally followed from our passion of exploring our favorite places with our friends. Our support staff includes our reservation team who is there to answer your questions about the tours, our service team who prepares your bike and gear for the tour, and our guide team – the ones who take you into the great outdoors. The highest level of responsibility, good nature, integrity, and dedication are standard traits of all those who work at Escape Adventures. We our proud of it and we think you should know it.
The Best Support Vehicles
Having custom-made vehicles allows us to take you to places few other outfitters can, or will go. Every Escape Adventures tour is accompanied by at least one support vehicle, trailer, and in some cases a second and third transfer van. After purchase, we custom engineer our trucks, vans, and trailers by our on-staff mechanic to meet the unique needs of different tours. For example, certain vehicles are specifically designed for the Canyonlands region of Utah, while others are designed for The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Each of our Trip Leaders is required to be trained in safe vehicle operation, 4X4 driving, and basic maintenance. Our experienced Trip Leaders make it look easy, transporting you and up to 12 guests, along with their bikes, fresh food, gear and plenty of drinking water to any location.
The Best Bicycles and Gear
Make your trip as comfortable as possible on the body, as simple as possible for traveling, and hassle-free on tour. By choosing to rent a bike from us, we will fit you with the newest, highest quality gear in the industry. Escape Adventures provides only high-end bicycles from Specialized. We replace our rental fleet each season to ensure all our rentals meet our high standards. All of our bikes are equipped carbon fiber frames and disc brakes designed for a smooth, comfortable ride. For those who are touring with a companion who may not be as fit or need a little help up the hills, we now have ebikes (electric pedal assist) available on select tours.
The Best Food
Our food isn’t just good, it’s good for you.
Food represents a big part of the Escape Adventures experience. On our inn tours most dinners and breakfasts unfold at local favorite restaurants. We also have energy snacks aboard our support vehicles. Don’t be surprised if your guides purchase fresh fruits and healthy snacks throughout the day while you’re enjoying a ride. They may just show up on the trail with a local treat! An increasing number of our guests are vegans or vegetarians, whom we not only accommodate but also pleasantly surprise. Should you possess special diet requirements and/or limitations, just let us know at sign-up. We’ll work with you to meet those critical needs.
The idea of taking your friends or family somewhere cool and amazing is actually pretty easy. Tell us what you’re thinking. We’ll make it happen.
Any trip in this catalog, any specific time frame, any group size, we can custom-fit if not comfortably accommodate. A Custom and Private Escape Adventures trip affords the ultimate bonding, or team-building experience for:
Clubs and co-workers
Family reunions
Corporate retreats
Friends
To shape a Custom or Private Trip, we begin a dialogue: first, to develop a group specific itinerary, tailored to respective abilities and preferred tempo. Next we schedule, bookmarking and working in your optimum or ideal getaway dates. Size-wise, we can build a multi-day trip for as few as two people, scaled up to as many as 30 plus. Contact us today to start the custom trip building process.
Rates on Private and Custom Departures:
All Private Escape Adventures Trips are priced in the structured method below. Some Custom tours are priced differently if they vary from the Classic Escape Adventures itinerary and price. In this situation we will provide your group with a custom itinerary and price.
10+ GUESTS Price as advertised*
8-9 GUESTS +$400 per person to trip price*
6-7 GUESTS +$900 per person to trip price*
4-5 GUESTS +$1,900 per person to trip price*
2-3 GUESTS +$2,500 per person to trip price*
* Pricing, availability and guest minimums are all subject to change at any time. Certain dates have a minimum number of guests required, please contact us for details. All private tours on The White Rim must meet a 13 person paid minimum. All private tours on The Maze must meet a 7 person paid minimum.
