Wenatchee to Lake Chelan

ATTRACTIONS. A little of a lot. You’ll ride through orchards, desert hills, and forests. You’ll ride along the banks of the Columbia River and those of Lake Chelan and you’ll pass fruit stands and vineyards.

DISTANCE. Roundtrip from Confluence State Park is 89 miles.

SKILL. 2 (intermediate). FITNESS. 3 (advanced).

ACCESS. In Wenatchee, drive down to any of the riverfront parks and follow the Loop trail.

TRIP INSTRUCTIONS:

• Follow the Loop trail to Confluence State Park. Exit Loop and go out the main exit/entrance to the Sate Park. Start mileage at the stop sign at end of main entrance.
• Mile 00: Turn right on Old Station Road. Stay on arterial as it bends to left and turns in Euclid Ave.
• Mile 0.4: At the stop sign turn right on Penny Rd. This bends left and then goes straight and, after 0.5 miles, merges seamlessly into Highway 97A. Just keep following 97A for the next 24 miles. It has a good shoulder and is a scenic ride along the Columbia River.
• Attractions you’ll pass: Mile 5.1: entrance to Rocky Reach Dam on the right. Mile 6.5: entrance road to Swakane Canyon on the left. Mile 8.1: Homestead fresh fruit stand on the left. Mile 15.8: bridge across Entiat River. Mile 16: Entiat River Road (another nice road ride) on the left. Mile 16.5: Entiat City Park on the right. Mile 17.3: Food Center on the left, also Entiat Ranger Station on the left. Mile 17.5: Lake Entiat Fruit Stand on left. Mile 17.6: Daily Grind Espresso Stand.
• Mile 25.2: Turn left on Navaree Coulee Road (Highway 971). You’ll start climbing above the river.
• Mile 34.2: Navaree Coulee Road ends at a stop sign at the intersection with South Lakeshore Drive on the edge of Lake Chelan. Turning right takes you into the town of Chelan (about 9 miles). For the trip described here, turn left.
• Mile 41.7: Fields Landing (where you can catch the ferry uplake to Stehekin or Holden Village). You can bring the bike with you.
• Mile 44.3: You will reach Twenty-File Mile Creek State Park which is a good place to swim in the lake, picnic, and rest before retracing the route back. For a shorter return trip, ride to either Chelan or Entiat and use the Link bus system to get back to Wenatchee.

MAP. Get to the start point using the Wenatchee Bike Map below.

BUSES. One way to enjoy this route if you’re not fit enough for the roundtrip ride? Bike one leg of the journey, use the bus for the other leg. Scheduling is often easier if you catch the bus first and bike back to the start. Get the bus schedule by calling 662-1155 or checking www.linktransit.com . As of March 2010, you’ll want to check Route 21 (Wenatchee to Chelan/Manson) in the direction you’ll be busing. The bus cost $2 and, on average, runs every 70 to 90 minutes between 7 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays. There’s more service on weekdays and NO Sunday service.

TRIP REPORTER: Andy Dappen (first posted 8/05, converted to blog format 3/2010).

LEAVE IT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT. This should be every user’s goal. Pick up trash left by others, pull noxious weeds along your route, etc.

DISCLAIMER. Treat this information as recommendations, not gospel. Conditions change and those contributing these reports are volunteers–they may make mistakes or not know all the issues affecting a route. You are responsible for yourself, your actions, and your safety. If you won’t accept that responsibility, you are prohibited from using our information.