TOURE DE TAHOMA will consist of a fun driving day on Saturday, August 7, 2010, with a picnic lunch provided by ACNW at either: Sunrise (elevation 6400 feet), Mt Rainier National Park, or Mud Mountain Dam, via the Carbon River Entrance to Mt Rainier National Park, depending on the weather that particular day. The route will showcase the backroads through South King and Pierce counties, and hence to our weather dependent destination for lunch. Sunrise will depend on sunny days with views of Mt Rainier, while Mud Mountain Dam is the alternate when Mt Rainier is under clouds.
This event is perfect for new club members, or those considering becoming club members, and is a great way to meet other club members in a driving and social environment. Those who enjoy photography will find an overload of opportunities for scenic pictures during this toure.
The TOURE meets Saturday AUGUST 7th at 8:00 AM at the Park and Ride at the intersection of Highway 18 and Auburn-Black Diamond Road in Auburn. Take Highway 18 East or West until you near the Green River Bridge in Auburn, and take the exit for Auburn-Black Diamond Road. Coming from the East on 18, cross the Green River bridge, take the exit, then turn right off the exit to the Park and Ride on your right. Coming from the West on 18, take the exit just before the Green River bridge, then turn left off the exit to the Park n Ride on your left. Look for the bright yellow Hyundai Tiburon and event leader Mark Yonker. There is a small store .2 tenths of a mile from our meeting point for restooms, but our first gas stop will be in Enumclaw, so come prepared.
The TOURE will depart the Park n Ride no later than 8:15 AM, with a quick stop at the above mentioned store for those needing a restroom. The route covers twisty farmland roads to the Safeway parking lot in Enumclaw. Here, those who need fuel or munchies can take time to attend to such needs. Leaving Enumclaw by 9:15 AM, and depending on how clear Mt Rainier is that day, the TOURE will take one of two routes. Route 1, the primary choice, is Highway 410 east to the Sunrise entrance of Mt Rainier National Park. Route 2, the alternate route, is Highway 410 west to Buckley, then Highway 165 East to the Carbon River entrance of Mt Rainier National Park. Either drive will have rest stops and viewpoints, and fun driving.
Route 1: The drive to Sunrise on 410 is on good roads with enough twists and turns to satisfy. Once inside the park, the road is narrower, with exceptional views along the way. The road up to Sunrise itself is very twisty in places, and very enjoyable, and it is planned in the schedule to go up and down this twisty section of road a couple of extra times. Upon arrival at Sunrise the area has full facilities, rest rooms, tables, a restaurant, picnic areas, and ample parking. After lunch, time permitting, the group drive may add a quick trip to the Summit of Chinook Pass for more photo opportunities.
Route 2: The drive to the Carbon River entrance is a bit more challenging. This road is a bit rougher (think Forest Road 25), has many twists and turns, and some sweeping curves, and one lane bridges, with a great drive up the Carbon River Canyon. There are no views of Mt Rainier on this route, but the end of the road along the Carbon River Valley is beautiful and very quiet and peaceful. There is not much traffic, as this is the least used entrance to Mt Rainier National Park. Facilities here are basic, outhouses, no food, no tables, parking is okay. This is a great drive and a lot of fun, but this route will return to Buckley and Mud Mountain Dam for lunch under covered picnic facilities.
ENTRY FEE INTO MT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK IS $15.00 PER VEHICLE. To expedite entry into Mt Rainier National Park, the $15.00 fee will be collected at Safeway in Enumclaw (exact amount appreciated) so that upon entering the park the lead car may pay for the entire group.
After lunch, either of the above TOURE routes will go back to Safeway in Enumclaw and arrive around 3:00 PM. Drivers who need to return home can depart from there, but those who wish more driving can enjoy more twisty farmland roads, ending at the starting point at the Park n Ride by 4:30 PM.
If you have questions about this event please email the event leader MARK YONKER at stratocruiserb377@yahoo.com. Mark may be contacted at 253-670-8575 the day of the event.
Date: Saturday, August 7, 2010
Tour Time: 8:00 am
Lunch Time: 12:00 pm
Lunch Location: Mt Rainier National Park (Sunrise or Mud Mountain Dam)
Menu: Sandwiches, fresh fruit, potato salad, brownies, soda
Cost: $15 payable at Safeway in Enumclaw, exact amout appreciated, drivers will be issued a window sticker for Mt Rainier National Park entry
RSVP At: MotorsportReg.com so we know how many to provide lunch for
Join us at Toure de Tahoma and receive a complimentary club membership!
Audi Club Northwest is participating in a national program to increase club membership, raise awareness of the Audi brand, and enhance the enjoyment of our cars with fun and instructive events. We have a bunch of sponsored memberships that are available at no cost to owners of Audi cars joining the club for the first time at one of our social events. These are Annual memberships that include full member benefits, the 'quattro quarterly' magazine, vendor discounts, and access to Audi Club North America events nationwide. It's first come first served until they run out, so join us at Toure de Tahoma to take advantage of this limited time offer.
