43.2 miles/ +3811.9 ft/ Total miles 3280.5
Loup Loup Pass: The third of the five Washington mountain passes. It was a very nice ride, from the open Okanogan country up into the forested mountains, and then down into the Methow Valley.
Views as I started climbing up above Okanogan:
Just above this area, I saw quite a few apple orchards (no photos).
At the top (almost four hours to get there), I could only get a photo of the bike:
And on the way down, I had great views toward the Cascades — as well as 8 miles of 6 percent grade. There is definitely some smoke in the air but it did not cause any problem. Hopefully, the wind will not change in the next few days. The fire is north of Mazama, near the Canadian border.
Winthrop was quite busy when I got into town around 11 AM, but most of the weekend tourists were gone by mid-afternoon. It’s nice to be in a town that I actually know well, and have visited many times before. Since leaving Boston, I have ridden on roads that were new to me every day, up until today when I got to Twisp, about 10 miles from Winthrop.
One of my friends from Seattle is here. It’s great to see a familiar face! We will be hiking tomorrow up at Rainy Pass, and then I will resume riding Tuesday – Mazama to Newhalem, over the remaining two passes. My friend will provide food and water support for the ride, which is most welcome.
Judy's Bike Ride 2017 
Judy – Glad to hear that the passes have been good and that you are back on familiar roads! I’m in Kettle Falls tonight after an 80-mile ride in 97 temps. RAW moved the camp up into town in order to avoid the mosquitos. (Thanks for the warning, which I passed along to the RAW director.) I won’t catch up to you, but I’ll be close behind. Enjoy the final climb, and then the long downhill into Puget Sound. Welcome home! – Dave
Your east-to-west route makes so much sense as you get to the homestretch. Must feel great to be back in familiar spaces and really feel like you are almost home. And the beauty of the mountain passes helps too!