Not long ago, a trip to Colville from here was a relatively involved trip. Coming in at roughly 100 miles (each way), the journey and the time it took to set out on such an excursion may not seem all that much in this day of 75 mph speed limits. That is until one factors that any trip to Colville included a trip over “Tiger”. That pass, better known to map readers as “Tiger Summit”-is a stunning point were the lush Selkirk Range transitions to the drier Okanagon country, with a sprinkling of Kettle River Range thrown in for good measure.
The drive over Tiger, at least back in the day, was not a speedy one. Due to posted 15 mph corners, several of which over the years have claimed numerous lives, required travelers to plan ahead just to be conservative and allow for a five hour round trip. All of this ordeal just to visit “the other side”. And that was in the summer, when the perpetual ice grooves, and shady spot skating rinks didn’t slow progress in half. In winter, that same trip to Colville might take all day.
Then the state of Washington improved Hwy 20 over Tiger and took out half those corners. Now one can make the round trip in about 4 hours. Still, that’s some serious drive time, especially if you have children prone to motion sickness, whining, or frequent urination issues. Don’t ask me how I know about all this but just trust me that I do.
Better yet, about 7 years ago, the State of Washington and the US Forest Service decided to improve Flowery Trail Pass. This is a more direct route between Colville and Sandpoint, Idaho. On the Stevens county side, the old route was a sorta paved-sorta not paved adventure. On the Pend Oreille County side, it was a total wind er up, getting dizzy yet?, goat trail for one. And just so we’re all on the same page, said goat trail was truly for one and only one vehicle at a time, if you please.
The State of Washington, along with the U S Forest Service decided this road deserved all season status, real pavement, and a true luxury in these parts, guard rails. For several summers we’ve wondered at the progress of progress. Each year at the end of our short construction season, a new section would open and everyone would make an excuse to go over to the other side. That usually included a stop over at Chewelah Casino, so not only did we test the marvels of mountain highway engineering, we gave lady luck a run for the money. On these journeys I became infamous for bragging that soon Flowery Trail would be a new short cut to Seattle. These statements resulted in strange looks and further diminished my credibility.
But I believe in the power of Flowery Trail. Apparently others do as well. The Flowery Trail, Colville, Tiger Summit loop is now considered a “super side trip” on the popular Selkirk Loop. (www.Selkirkloop.org). The futuristic quest to imagine a corner where one doesn’t visit every single gear, or a hill that doesn’t require prayer to conquer, is happily within our reach. The short cut to Seattle bit? Well that was pure icing. Still, now that the road is finished, and it’s open, it’s truly a study in living the high life. 4,000 feet high that is.
Motorcyclists are coming from all over North America to whip around those corners and catch air on the whoop d do’s. Rumor is a local ski resort is even building condo’s, homes, and resorts on top of Flowery Trail Pass, right next to 49 Degrees North ski resort. Condo’s straddling the Stevens/Pend Oreille County Line? Who woulda’ thought? Suddenly Seattle doesn’t seem that far off.
If that’s not enough to brag about, the road itself is about ten miles shorter. Essentially the Feds took so many curves and switch backs out, that these days it is far closer to here from any place called there. Post-Flowery Trail road completion, I’m only about 120 miles round trip from the front door to Colville. Which means the friends and family tour is so on. I plan on seeing cousin Stacy and the rest of the clan, far more often. That also means they can see me.
Last weekend Stacy proved this point by departing Colville and bringing her wonder child- Ayson to visit. Ayson is not your typical 6-month old. He’s mostly happy, he likes to smile, giggle and flirt. A lot.
The only time Ayson is not perpetually wonderful is when he is stuck in a car. Because of this, Stacy is the ultimate travel planner. She times the application of bottle, diaper changes, and Ayson’s naps to take ultimate advantage of the efficiency Flowery Trail Pass now affords us. Last weekend my cousin made the round trip in well under two hours. She did so without missing a bottle, a diaper change, or the end of a premature nap. Now that is a super side trip! Can life get any better than that?
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