Detroit to Government Camp - Day 34

Mileage: 69
Total Ascent:  6332

It was quite a day today.  i'll always remember Breitenbush Road.  The road was good, no cars - I think I saw 2 cars total on the road.  The trees are so tall they make you feel very insignificant, You could hear the rushing of the Pinhead Creek and we heard the birds in the early morning hours.  It was an absolute beautiful route.  We did have a climb of 4-12% but then we had this fabulous fun down for about 6 miles - no cars, smooth road - you couldn't ask for more than that.

But then we had to make a right turn on a single lane road.  You know what that means - steep climbs and more climbs.  Crazy day.  But we all made it in.  When we got in the van and trailor weren't in as they had a flat tire on the trailor and it took forever for them to get it fixed.  A very stressful day for them.  So we all had to wait for them before we could take showers and put on clean clothes.
A few pics....

Looking out at the top of our first climb

Breitenbsh River

Breitebush River - looking through the trees

Bear grass - it grows all around up here.. 

The historic ranger station sign.  Too far to go into the area for a snapshot of the station.

Still 10 miles to go to the motel

Mt Hood

Sisters to Detroit Or - Day 33

Mileage:  57
Total Ascent:  2412

It was going to be hot today so we tried to leave early as we knew we had a climb.  Whats a day without a climb :-)  It turned out to be a beautiful route with a nice 6 mile climb.   We once again crossed with the Pacific Crest Trail and if there is one thing I know - I will not hike the PTC.  This was one of the prettiest days for riding.  Suttle Lake was very calm and still as we saw it throught the trees.   The density of the forests not only along the road but mountain upon mountain stacked with the forests - it was beautiful.  The trees are taller than I have seen and it felt like they were wrapping their limbs around you with their pine fragrance.

We passed Mt. Washington on our way up and of course we stopped to take a picture.
We reasched the summit of Santiam Pass - elevation 4,817.

  Descending down there was a mountain called 3 Finger Jack.  I was going to stop but with the traffic and descending quite fast I decided it wasnt a smart thing to do.  But if you google it you will see the mountain with its distintive shape.  Its a pleistocene volcano in the Cascade range.

Suttle Lake

Suttle Lake

Mt. Washington

It was a surprise when we turned the corner and there was lava fields on both sides of he road.   Trees were growing within and surrounded the lava fields.

To finish off our day we had a nice long descent that meandered through the forest for close to 30 miles.  We stopped at one point to enjoy the Pamela Creek.  

Pamela Creek

Pamela Creek

The Sierra Cascades ride is by far my favorite ride.  Challenging at times but the beauty of the land - you can't beat it.  Tomorrow we travel to Government Camp.  Its hard to believe we are in a cute little town called Detroit.  

Day Off - Day 32

Gail and I had a lovely breakfast with Mike and her sister Char.  We ate at this new resaurant in Sisters.  It was very busy but we were able to get a seat.  I had stuffed french toast which was to die for.   It was really a nice fun time getting to know Char.  She lives about 15 miles from Sisters.  Her and Mike are quilters and come up here during the quilting festival and take classes.  Those 2 do beautiful work.

After  breakfast it was too hot to climb Mt McKenzie so we went shopping in the little shops around town and visited the gallerys.  Walked back to our rooms and kicked back for he rest of the day.

Bend to Sisters - Day 31

Mileage:  21
Total Ascent:  304

Today was a very moderate day of riding as can be seen by the mileage and climbing.  Sisters is such a cute touristy town that I think they wanted us to have a layover day here.  Also there is the McKenzie pass which is an option for us to climb.  Gail and I planned on climbing it when we arrived in Sisters but we were told that the pass was now open to cars, it was very dangerous as the snow banks were high and there were blind curves where the cars would not be able to see us.  Plus there had been an accident with a motorcycle.  So we decided to take our bikes into the bike shop and have our bikes checked and cleaned.  After turning in our bikes we found out the road was not open to cars.  But it was too late as the bike shop had our bikes.  We are off tomorrow so will see what happens then. We walked around the shops and enjoyed the atmosphere of this cute little town.  Coffee at a coffee house was also on the agenda.

On the 20 mile route were some great pictures of Mt. Broken Top and the 3 Sisters.

Mt Broken Top on the left, 3 sisters on the right

Mt Jefferson

On the way were the cowboys with their horses.  Mighty fine iron they are.

The welcome sign as we rode into Sisters

We are staying at the Ponderosa Lodge and as Fiona and I were walking across the lawn there was this beautiful graceful deer watching us.  Unafraid.  

La Pine to Bend - Day 30

Mileage:  50
Total Ascent:  2124

Another  great day of riding.  Our ride started out flat on good roads.  By mile 22 we had a good 10 mile mild climb from 2-6% grade treelined the entire way.    In our sight was Mt. Bachelor and sometimes 3 Sisters.

My Bachelor on the left and 3 Sisters on the right 

The treelined route

Mt Bachelor

We went through the downtown of Bend but it was so busy we didn't try to find a place for lunch
until we got closer to our motel.  We stopped at this bakery/cafe and I had the best sandwiche - ham, apple and Brie on a sourdough role - delicious.

Then I get to the motel and find I have a single room for the night.  I am one of 6 riders that rotate roommates every night - but not tonight.  I thought there was a mistake but no one came and moved me out.

Tomorrow we are on our way to Sisters and for another day off.  Looking forward to this small town as its a quilting mecca and for yarn.  I might have to do some shopping.

Crater Lake to La Pine - Day 29

Mileage:  76
Total Ascent:  1559

Today we left Crater Lake and had to climb up to an elevation of 7,604.  It was 40 degrees out and windy.  In other words very cold.   After climbing up it was a very cold descent of 5-6 miles.  Had it not been so cold it would  have been a great down.   I was so happy to get on flat land for some warmth.

A couple of workers shoveling snow to make way for a door and walkway.  

Goodbye to Crater Lake

We passed the Pumice Desert and it wasn't pretty but interesting as it is a flat area  in the northern section of the park.  This desert was covered with pumice more than 200 feet deep in some places by the eruption of Mount Mazana.  The eruption happened some 7,000 years ago and is still barren to this day.  Its amazing how you go from the beauty of the mountains and the lake to the barren area of the desert.

Pics of the Pumice Desert

Pumice Desert

The above route was only 11 miles of the route.  The rest of the route was nondescript. It was just a way to get from point A to point B.  Fast, flat and mostly a tailwind.  We needed that after the crazy route getting to Crater Lake.   We stopped in Chemult for coffee and then at Crescent for sandwiches.  

Tomorrow we're on our way to Bend.

Day Off - # 28

Not  a lot to do in Crater Lake this year.  Too much snow so no hiking,  After the crazy climbing marathon the day before getting to Crater Lake, we all needed a rest.  Other than shopping at the gift store it was hanging out and people watching.