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RUSA Brevet #2950: Baker Lake 400K
2025 Pre-Ride Notes
The Baker Lake Spring 400K is a perennial SR favorite for good reasons: many low-traffic roads, spectacular varied scenery, and a rewarding climb to Baker Lake with epic close-up views of Mounts Baker and Shuksan.
From
Redmond Inn, you head north at 5:00 AM on familiar and delightfully car-free roads through Snoqualmie Valley, Monroe and Granite Falls to Lake Roesiger. The pre-riders especially enjoyed the early morning glow along Bear Creek and Tualco Roads.
At 31K, in Monroe, mind the bad tracks just before crossing US 2. The first info control is at Lake Roesiger Store (54K). The store doesn’t open until 8:00 AM though, so unless you’ve had a very leisurely start, you’ll want to keep rolling to Granite Falls or beyond for your first refueling options. You’ll continue on nice rolling roads along Robe Menzel Rd into Granite Falls at 68K, then continue on Jordan Road to Hwy 530 at 89K. Heading west to Darrington on 530, you’ll have decent shoulders but beware the fast-moving traffic. At 99K, turn right onto a 2-mile paved segment of the Whitehorse Trail and enjoy the shade in peace and quiet away from road noise. Be careful on the wooden bridge deck over the North Fork Stillaguamish River. If wet, the wood can be slippery. You soon return to 530, but the meadow & mountain views to the east and south compensate for another stretch of busier road.
At Darrington you’ll find the info control at the Fire District Station on the right side of road (132K). The pre-ride group took an extended break at the IGA which offers nice shade/covered roof on south side, but there are several other good food options. You then continue north on 530 through some fine forests, then take a right and enjoy the quieter on Rockport Cascade Rd to Marblemount, with the info control at Rustic Heart Desires on the left side of the road (177K). The pre-riders stopped briefly at the Prospector’s Country Coffee for coffee and Klondike bars and welcome covered picnic tables. Continue west on Hwy 20 to Concrete (203K). If you can make it to Concrete by 4 PM, a visit to 5B’s Bakery and Eatery is highly recommended. Other refuel/relief options are Cascade Burgers (open later) and the Silo Spray Park (if you’re just wanting water and restroom), both south of the intersection of Main St. and N. Superior Ave.
Next up: Burpee Hill Rd... a legendary climb that gives Tahuya Hills a run for the money, but like Tahuya it’s a serene setting, so settle into your zone and power up. Once you make it past this 5km hurdle, the remaining ride is rolling and relatively gentle, with frequent glimpses of the mountains to come.
At 224K, turn right onto Baker Lake Dam Road aka NF-1112, and follow the route cues and road signs to the PSE Boat Launch. The control will be at the pavilion adjacent to the boat launch: enjoy the water, food, shelter, restrooms, and mountain/lake views! If you have clear skies as the pre-riders did, you’ll have a front row view of Mt. Shuksan and Mt. Baker while you rest up for the long descent back to civilization.
Leaving the control, you will go around a gate and ride about a mile on rougher gravel. This road is completely flat, no potholes, easily passible on 28 mm tires (even 25 mm if you’re still into those). Continue straight on this gravel road past a 2nd gate until you intersect a paved road. There are no road signs here, but this is NF-118, just turn left and ride uphill. Follow NF-118 back up to the main road and turn left again. When you get to the Shadow of the Sentinels, take a moment to look back at Mt. Shuksan if the sky is clear.
You still have 170km to go, but you can take reassurance that you’ve completed 2/3rds of the day’s climbing. The downhill plunge from Baker Lake to Hwy 20 sets you on your way home. At 256K, you rejoin Hwy 20 and head west to Sedro Wooley. Be cautious on Hwy 20 as there are numerous spots where road debris is plentiful. A sidetrack onto Lynne Hamilton Road gets you off the busy road for 11km, then you’re back on Hwy 20 until Sedro Wooley at 283K. As you enter Sedro-Woolley, find the information control at the Arco and AM/PM convenience store (open 24 hours). There’s also a Subway (open until 10 PM). Next food/water is the 7-11 (open 24-hours) in Arlington at 328K so plan accordingly.
Heading south out of Sedro-Woolley on Hwy 9 watch for some tight shoulders and late afternoon / evening traffic. You’ll turn off Hwy 9 at W Big Lake Blvd for a nice quiet section. Back on Hwy 9 you’ll roll through the familiar community of Lake McMurray and get to the Centennial Trail head at 315K. Be careful of the gate which may be closed entering the parking lot.
Now you’re on a roll with the quiet trails to Arlington where food and coffee awaits. The Arlington public restrooms along the trail are closed at night, but there were several portapotties open.
The final info control on the road is the Snohomish Bakery at First and Union (365K). The pre-riders stopped for a last refuel at the 7-11 store (open 24-hours), located one block off route – turn north on Airport way to 1215 2nd St, Snohomish.
The route takes you home on our conventional roads of Airport Way, up Springhetti Rd, then Broadway Ave to Maltby (mind the bad tracks as the road turns left near Yew Way). Get yourself over ‘the three amigos’ hills on 156 th Ave NE then plunge into Woodinville. Navigate onto the Sammamish River Trail then the Redmond Central Connector trail and a brief stretch of city streets, then you’re home! Roll into the Redmond Inn parking lot and check in at the Finish Control.
Other Notes
Cell phone service at the Baker Lake info control is limited/spotty/nonexistent depending on carrier.
As always, bike checks for lights and proper reflective safety gear is mandatory. Please bring redundant light systems (dyno & battery backup or dual battery systems), we’ll be checking both. You don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with zero functional lights.
If it's wet and you don’t have fenders and/or proper ‘buddy flaps’, please be considerate of others and ride in the back of groups or ride solo so we don’t consume the road wash from your tires.
All riders are responsible for making their own start/finish hotel reservations if desired.
Start/Finish
Redmond Inn
17601 Redmond Way
Redmond, WA 98052
Business Hours: 24H
4:00 AM - Rider check-in begins
4:55 AM - Ride briefing
5:00 AM - Ride bikes
Please contact the ride organizer if you will be arriving after 5:00 AM or if you are registered and choose to not start.
Finish control closes Sunday at 8:00 AM.
Complete Route and Cuesheet
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39278387
[FINAL]
Complete route divided into smaller sections because some GPS computers (*cough*, *cough*, WAHOO) choke on long rides
Part A:
[FINAL]
Individual Day Routes and Cuesheets (may be more compatible for some devices and software)
Day 1:
[FINAL]
Note:
Printed cuesheets will not be available at the start. You may choose to print your own. To print a cuesheet:
- Open the route link above.
- Click the More button.
- Click Print Cuesheet.
Registration
Registration opens Thursday, April 10 at 12:00 Midnight (Pacific Time).
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Advance registration is required. We cannot accommodate same-day registration.
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Registration includes signing a responsibility waiver using the same SmartWaiver system used for RUSA Permanents. YOU MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETED WAIVER IN ORDER TO START THE RIDE. No waiver, no ride, no exceptions.
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Current RUSA membership is required. Click here to create or renew your RUSA membership. Allow a few days in advance for RUSA verification. You'll need your RUSA number to register for the ride.
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Current SIR membership is required. Click here to create or renew your free SIR membership. Once you log into your SIR account the Sign Waiver button will be visible at the bottom of this page.
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Online registration is open until Thursday, May 8 at 12:00 Noon (Pacific Time).
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Ride fee must be paid online at the time of registration.
Registration has closed for this event. We cannot accommodate same-day registration at this time.
REGISTRATION LIMITED TO RIDERS WHO RECEIVE AN INVITATION TO REGISTER.
General Rules
All riders must:
- Have current memberships in RUSA and SIR.
- Read and sign a waiver (part of the online event registration) before beginning the ride.
- Comply with local traffic laws as well as RUSA's Rules for Riders.
- Have front and rear lights, a reflective vest or sash, and reflective ankle bands. See RUSA Article 10 for details. Be prepared to show these to the ride organizer at the start. Lights should be on during any low-light conditions (rain, fog, night, tunnels, etc).
- Contact the organizer ASAP if they cannot finsih (DNF). The organizer's contact info may be found on the brevet control card.
- Turn in their signed brevet control card at the ride finish.
- Check-in with the organizer or a volunteer at the start, the finish, at any overnight controls.