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This ride takes us onto the North Cascades Highway, a stretch of road riders talk about for years — sweeping curves interspersed with awesome twisties, and big mountain views that just keep unfolding. It’s the gateway to Diablo Lake’s famous blue‑green water and one of those bucket‑list routes every rider should experience at least once.

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We’ll leave Sound Harley-Davidson and head south to 152nd Street, then follow 67th Ave NE to 204th St NE and merge onto Highway 9 north. Highway 9 gives us an easy warm-up — smooth bends, tall evergreens, and glimpses of Lake McMurray and Big Lake as we settle into the day.  We’ll turn right onto Old Day Creek Road and follow it to the South Skagit Highway. After crossing the Skagit River, we’ll ride into Concrete and join the North Cascades Highway 20.  Our first comfort stop is in Rockport at Howard Miller Steelhead Park. It’s a quiet spot to stretch, grab water, and shake out the early miles.

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Back on Highway 20, we’ll make a quick stop for a group photo at the rock wall and the North Cascades National Park sign — a classic marker that tells you the real mountains are just ahead.  About 30 minutes farther, we’ll reach the Diablo Lake Overlook. Follow the Road Captain for group parking if space allows. There’s a pit toilet here and plenty of room to wander. The overlook gives you that first big “wow” moment of the day — steep valleys, jagged peaks, and the lake’s unreal blue-green water.

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Another 40 minutes up the highway brings us to the Washington Pass Overlook. This stop has a pit toilet, picnic tables, and a short trail that leads to a sweeping viewpoint above a dramatic 180-degree turn in the road below. It’s a great place to settle in for our bag-lunch break and take in the scale of the pass.   Keep an eye out for the Road Captain’s signal when it’s time to gear up again.

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From Washington Pass, it’s about 1 hour and 15 minutes to our final comfort stop at the Chevron or Shell station in Marblemount. After that, we’ll follow WA-530 through the logging towns of Darrington and Oso, then reconnect with Highway 9 in Arlington.  We’ll finish the day back at Sound Harley-Davidson.