Backcountry Discovery Route – Washington BDR Section

The Washington Backcountry Discovery Route cuts a 600-mile swath from the Columbia River Gorge to the Canadian border, threading through the heart of the Cascade Range along forgotten mining roads and logging tracks. You’ll cross the Wenatchee River at Cashmere, climb over Blewett Pass on original wagon roads, and navigate the technical Teanaway Ridge section where loose shale and narrow shelf roads demand full attention. The route passes through the abandoned Liberty Bell mining district and skirts the North Cascades wilderness boundaries.

This is a moderate to difficult route requiring high-clearance 4WD with low range gearing for steep climbs and descents. Fuel up in Winthrop and carry extra water—services are 150+ miles apart in sections. Best tackled June through September when mountain passes are clear. You’ll earn views of Glacier Peak, Mount Baker, and endless ridgelines while following the tracks of miners, loggers, and early settlers who carved these routes through Washington’s wilderness backbone.