Date: Saturday June 27th, 2009
Start Time: Meet at 9:30-10am, Driving portion starts at 10:30am
Starting Location: I-5 Exit 63 (Washington 505) Shell Station/ View Point
We will be meeting 1/4 mile west of the I-5 exit 63 off ramp. For those that went last time, this is the same starting location. Look for the Shell Station/ Viewpoint. It affords plenty of parking and is the only building around (easy to find!). Its approximately 1hr north of Vancouer, so those coming from Seattle it isnt too far at all
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This time the drive will loop around Mt. St. Helens, and afford tons of awesome viewing of the mountain (minus fog, oh god...please be no fog!). It is known as the "Windy Ridge Drive" and I know several car and motorcycle groups that make this drive each year and is a very well known/ popular car club destination (maybe we will see another club when we are up there
). Alot of great scenery and several lakes, including a very winding road up to Windy Ridge and Spirit Lake. The drive passes right through Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The drive will conclude in Woodland (right off I-5) were we can stop and have dinner at a resturaunt for those interested. Overall its more driving then last years infamous "Fog Drive," but still is far from an endurance drive
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Windy Ridge Drive
Note- the map shows exit 68 as the start...we are starting at
Exit 63~ the linky is just a map I found. Gives a great idea of what to expect!
UPDATE: Even though I posted an update below, I felt it was worth mentioning in the initial post. There is a possibility that the drive may be altered due to damaged roadways/ bridges. If that is the case, then the only change is the drive will go to the Johnson Ridge Observatory on the west side of the moutain. Further cofirmation will come if we find anything out. Everything else is remaining the same (date, time, starting location, ect).