According to the good people of Republic, and one of the bad ones, the
fastest and easiest way to travel to and from the South Sound is via Snoqualmie
Pass. This is not to say that Wenatchee Brewster Tonasket Republic is also a
good and interesting route.

For the more expeditious route take the freeway to a point a couple miles
northeast of George, where you exit for Ephrata. Go north up the coulee through
Soap Lake to Coulee City. From Coulee City the fastest route is along Banks
Lake through Grand Coulee and Coulee Dam, then north to Nespelem, where you
turn in the middle of town to go east over Cache Creek Road to the San Poil
Valley (taking Peter Dan / Manila Creek east over the hill from north of Elmer
City gets you to the San Poil in about the same shape). Then it's an easy
drive north up the valley to Republic.

Alternatively from Coulee City, go east on Hwy 2 to Wilbur, then north over
the Keller Ferry to the San Poil. The Coulee Dam option is usually faster
because of the short wait for the ferry, but many people find the small ferry
and the Keller Grade north of Wilbur interesting. The ferry is free and
operates from 6 am to 11:45 pm. Have a nice trip.

Mark Houston
Spokane