> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://the-cj-willette.ghost.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Route 2 to Leavenworth, Blewett Pass & Home Again - URL: https://the-cj-willette.ghost.io/route-2-to-leavenworth-blewett-pass-home-again/ - Published: 2026-09-10T19:45:27.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-10T19:47:05.000Z - Description: A full-day Washington mountain road trip from Monroe to Leavonworth, over Stevens and Blewett Passes, with waterfalls, Bigfoot, ghost towns, winding roads, and plenty of reasons to stop along the way. - Author: Cj Willette - Tags: Road Trips, Snoqualmie Pass, leavonworth, blewett pass, icicle road, liberty, Washington, Scenic Drives, Worth-it, Visited **Location:** Monroe → Index → Stevens Pass → Leavenworth → Blewett Pass → Cle Elum → Snoqualmie Pass → Bothell, Washington **Type:** Road Trip / Scenic Drive **Distance:** Full-day loop **Status:** WORTH-IT 🔵 ### Why We Went Sometimes the best road trips aren't really about having a particular destination. They're about the road. This one starts in Monroe and follows **US 2 east toward the mountains**, with coffee, waterfalls, mountain views, a little history, lunch in Leavenworth, and plenty of winding pavement along the way. And, of course, there was the Jaguar. The Jaguar F-Type R was pretty much made for roads like these — sweeping curves, elevation changes, and stretches where the road seems to disappear around the next bend. This was one of those drives where the journey really was the destination. ### First Stop — Espresso Chalet Our first stop was the **Espresso Chalet in Index**. Coffee was mandatory. So were pictures. The Espresso Chalet sits right along US 2 and has become one of those wonderfully quirky roadside stops that makes a road trip more interesting. We grabbed coffee, stretched our legs, and took some pictures of **Index Mountain** and the ever-present Bigfoot. It's an easy stop, but exactly the kind we like to find along the road. Coffee, mountains, and Bigfoot. Not a bad way to start a day. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2410-1.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2397.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2400.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2408.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2404.jpeg) ### Deception Falls From Index we continued east on US 2 and stopped at **Deception Falls**. It's an easy roadside waterfall stop and a good excuse to get out of the car for a few minutes and enjoy the forest. There are plenty of places along this section of US 2 where you can simply pull over, stretch your legs, and take in the scenery. And then it's back in the car. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2414.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2413.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2411.jpeg) ### Stevens Pass Continuing east, the road climbs toward **Stevens Pass**. This is where US 2 really starts to feel like a mountain road — forests, elevation changes, sweeping curves, and plenty of scenery. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/image-2.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2415.jpeg) We also stopped at **Penstock Bridge**, which already has its own post here on the site, so we're not going to repeat the story. **See our** [**Penstock Bridge post**](https://the-cj-willette.ghost.io/penstock-bridge-old-pipeline-bed-trail-leavenworth/) **for the full stop.** --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2421.jpeg) ### Leavenworth From Stevens Pass we continued down toward **Leavenworth**. By this point, lunch was definitely in order. Our choice was **Rhein Haus**. We consider this a *rolling lunch* kind of road trip — we're not necessarily looking for a long, leisurely dining experience. We're looking for somewhere good to eat, recharge, and get back on the road. Rhein Haus fit the bill. Good food, a fun atmosphere, and a convenient stop in the middle of a much longer drive. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2433.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2436.jpeg) ### Side Trip — Icicle Road After lunch, we headed up **Icicle Road**. And this is where things get interesting. Icicle Road could easily be an entire day trip by itself. There are hiking trails, biking opportunities, side roads, campsites, mountain scenery, and plenty of places where you can stop and explore. With the Jaguar F-Type, however, we had to make a decision. We only went about halfway. The F-Type is an absolutely fantastic car for winding pavement, but it is still a low sports car. Some of the roads farther up Icicle Road are better suited to something with more ground clearance and a little more ability to deal with rougher surfaces. So we turned around. And honestly, that's part of the fun of road trips. You don't have to conquer every road. Sometimes you just have to go far enough to see what is there — and make a mental note to come back with the right vehicle. **Icicle Road deserves its own day.** --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2437.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2440.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2441.jpeg) ### East on US 2 — Then South on SR 97 Back in Leavenworth, we continued east before turning south onto **SR 97 and Blewett Pass**. And for the F-Type, this was another highlight. Blewett Pass has some fantastic winding roads, and this is exactly where the Jaguar feels at home. Long sweeping corners. Tight bends. Elevation changes. Forest closing in around the road. Then suddenly a view opens up. It's the kind of driving that makes you understand why some people don't really think of a road trip as transportation. It's the activity. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2443.jpeg) **Liberty Townsite** GoogleMaps **\-** Along the way, there are also opportunities to stop and explore some of the area's history. One of those stops is **Liberty**, an old gold-mining town that has managed to hang onto its character. It's a great little detour for anyone who enjoys Washington's ghost towns, mining history, and the remnants of the communities that grew up around the state's old mining country. It's also another reminder that these mountain roads weren't always about getting somewhere else. For a lot of people, they were home. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_0261.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_0262.jpeg) ### Cle Elum Eventually we made our way toward **Cle Elum**, where we stopped for a snack and topped off the gas. At this point in the trip, the Jaguar had done what Jaguars do best — consumed some fuel while putting a smile on our faces. From Cle Elum, we picked up **SR 970**, eventually connecting with **I-90 westbound**. Then it was over Snoqualmie Pass and back toward home. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2444.jpeg) SR 970 ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2445.jpeg) Down town Cle Elum ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/cd/2e/cd2e725d-886e-4858-bcea-e4cbf0c282b7/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2449.jpeg) Snoqualmie Pass ### The Route **Monroe → Index → Espresso Chalet → Deception Falls → Stevens Pass → Penstock Bridge → Leavenworth → Icicle Road → Blewett Pass → Liberty → Cle Elum → Snoqualmie Pass → Bothell** It's a long day, but that's the point. There are plenty of places where you could stop for a hike, explore a side road, take pictures, grab another coffee, or simply sit beside the road and watch the mountains. You could make this route shorter. You could make it longer. You could spend an entire day on Icicle Road alone. Or you could do what we did — keep moving and see where the road takes you. ### What We Like - Fantastic mountain scenery - Great driving roads - Espresso Chalet and Bigfoot - Deception Falls - Stevens Pass - Leavenworth - Icicle Road - Blewett Pass - Liberty - Plenty of hiking and biking opportunities - Lots of places to stop and explore - Excellent route for a sports car ### Practical Notes This is a **full-day road trip**, and there is plenty here to turn it into something considerably longer. If you're driving a sports car, pay attention to the condition of the roads before committing to the farther reaches of Icicle Road and other side roads. The F-Type was perfect for the paved mountain roads, but it isn't the vehicle we'd choose for rougher roads or roads requiring substantial ground clearance. If you want to hike or explore, build extra time into the trip. There are far more opportunities along this route than you'll be able to fit into a single drive. And don't forget to leave some room in the schedule for the unexpected roadside stop. Those are usually the best ones. ### Who This Is For This is for anyone who believes that a good road trip doesn't need a complicated itinerary. It's especially good for: - People who love scenic mountain drives - Sports-car enthusiasts - Photographers - Hikers and bikers - Ghost-town hunters - Waterfall seekers - Anyone who enjoys finding interesting roadside stops ### Our Take **This is one of those Washington drives we'll happily do again.** US 2 gives you the mountains. Stevens Pass gives you the curves. Leavenworth gives you lunch. Icicle Road gives you a reason to come back with a different vehicle. Blewett Pass gives the Jaguar room to stretch its legs. And then I-90 brings you home. It's not really one destination. It's a collection of roads, stops, views, food, history, and little discoveries strung together into one very satisfying loop. And sometimes, that's exactly what we're looking for. **WORTH-IT 🔵** ###