Pine Canyon

Pine Canyon Hillclimb was first run in 1966 on a recently abandoned section of the old Hwy 2, the Sunset Hwy. This was located about 25 miles east of Wenatchee, Washington. The event was organized by the Spokane Sports Car Club. Hal Banks in a Corvette was the fastest up the **2 miles, with a 1 min 40 second run!

The club had a two year run 1966-1967. The race did not occur in 1968, but in 1969 the Wenatchee Sports Car Club took the reigns. There was a serious accident in 1969, and I have read in several articles that it was stopped after that. I have results and articles showing that it was held at least three more years, through 1972.

Interestingly the 1971 article from “The Olympian” references it as the “3rd” Pine Canyon Hillclimb. Since the first two were organized by the Spokane Club, possibly this article is only referencing the Wenatchee Club events, 1969, 1970, 1971. There is a lot of mystery and lack of information on this particular hillclimb.

These were very popular events, with as many as 2500 spectators attending the first year and more each year.

**Several articles reference 2 miles in length, others state 1.85. Possibly it was easier to tell the media that it was “2 miles” than to state 1.85 miles.

History of the road

In 1915 the Sunset Highway between Wenatchee and Coulee City was still using the old wagon route, so a survey was made for a new section of road between Orondo and Waterville. Beginning in 1915 and continuing through 1918, a group of men, Honor Camp #5, cut a new road up Corbaly Canyon and then Pine Canyon. These were prisoners that worked with little or no supervision and were paid $.50 and hour. The money was saved in their accounts and was paid after the work was done. There were as many as 70 Honor men that worked on the project.

In 1934 paving began to create a smoother, faster route. Floods wiped out a portion of the road in the late 1940s, and that section was never rebuilt, just bypassed with another. The upper section of Pine Canyon Road remained in use until 1965 when a new Hwy 2 connection to Waterville was opened. It bypassed the old, dangerous winding road. The local sports car clubs were able to get permission to use it, and Pine Canyon Hillclimb was born.