It's been 17 years since the Index Galeena Road washed out, and it finally opened on Saturday with a new elevated bypass of the washout. There are a number of potential rides, including out-and-backs to the unpaved section over Jack Pass from Gold Bar  (48Mi) or Index(30 Mi) or a full loop 60 over Jack Pass and return via SR2 (not recommended!).

Here is the WADOT update.

And  for reference purposes here is a RWGPS route I made for the 60 mile loop from Gold Bar.

I'd love to lead the first BIKES ride on the route but my back is acting up so the challenge is up for someone else to post our first ride on the route. Hopefully we'll get one in before the snow flies.

Interesting!  The US 2 part is a deal-breaker for me but the rest of looks good, although weather this time of year will have me thinking about this one for late next spring.

An option would be to leave cars at Index or Goldbar, drive to Beckler River and ride one way over tha pass and back down.  Avoids SR2 and the grade over the pass looks easier going that direction.

Join Christine and I on Tuesday for a ride over Jacks Pass and back from Skykomish. Lunch in Index. 

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