Description of the Route

This section of the Sunset Highway has gone through some drastic changes over the years. Not much remains of the original highway as the interstate has been built on top of the old road most of the way to Cle Elum.

In 1915 when the Sunset Highway was open to traffic, the original route went to Ellensburg and then on to Vantage and then north to Wenatchee. In the early 20's Blewett Pass was improved and the highway was rerouted north at Cle Elum on the old Blewett Pass highway to Cashmere.

In 1909 The Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget Sound Railway otherwise known as the Milwaukee Road. Built a line over the pass and at the summit the town of Laconia was created. 

At the summit. The original road was east of Highway 906 you can drive on this small part. The road then veered slightly to the left and is now under the Summit Inn and also the freeway. The road then connected to Yellowstone Trail Rd. This is a section of the original road. From the end of this road the old alignment is now under the freeway. 

In 1926 the highway was realigned onto the old railroad right of way which is now State Route 903

The original route follows the interstate to about mile post 66 where it veers to the right and goes through the forest. (This part has disappeared.) Then up a switchback to Lake Easton. The original road is underwater at this point. On the other side of the lake it connects to Railroad St. and arrives in Easton.

Leaving Easton the route follows Railroad St. and the Northern Pacific right of way to Sun Country Rd. At the end of this road it crossed the river and continues under the interstate to exit 80.

From exit 80 the road turns left onto Bullfrog Rd. then left onto Wood Duck Rd. Where this road meets the interstate it continued across the freeway curved to the left back over the freeway and then connects to Douglas Munro Blvd. (This section is under the freeway and on private land.) The road then continues into Cle Elum.

From Cle Elum the route follows Airport Rd. and connects to Red Bridge Rd. then onto Ballard Rd. and then Swauk Prairie Rd. down the hill to Highway 970 and the ghost town of Virden.

The route turned south onto Burke Rd. to connect up with Highway 97 then turned right onto Bettas Rd. The road continues south to connect back up with Hwy 97 to Notcho Ln. and connects back up with Hwy 97 then continues south to Clarke Rd. Left on Clarke Rd, then right onto Green Spur Rd. Back to Hwy 97 and then turns right onto Dry Creek Rd.

From Dry Creek Rd. the route finally reaches Ellensburg.