Packwood WA to Yakima - Day 38

Mileage:  74
Total Ascent:  4104

So today we all bundled up for whatever the weather might challenge us.  We were not getting caught underdressed like yesterday.  We started out from Yakima with a 12 mile climb ahead of us. Quite a few miles up there was construction on the road as the one lane was sunk and they were rebuilding it.   We had to wait around 15 minutes for our turn to go.  The flagger was a woman and in her 15 minutes with us managed to scare Sheila into riding down in the van.  Gail and I stayed on our bikes and continued on the road.  There was an avalanche that happened at least a couple of years ago but the woman made it sound like it happened yesterday.  Sheila decided at one point to get out of the van and continued on the route with Gail and I.

It was a beautiful route with the mountains, cliffs, creeks.  Coming down off the mountain we road along the Rimrock Lake and river and with a tail wind.  Then we turned onto the Old Naches Highway and it was orchards and ranches for miles.  It was a lovely day today and we didn't need our rain clothes and eventually had to shed them.

The clouds hanging over the mountains

So we didn't get to see Mt Rainier because of the clouds and heavy mist.  But we did get to climb White Pass which was our 12 mile climb.  

Part of our route

Rimrock Lake

Cascade Locks to Packwood, WA - Day 37

Mileage:  42
Total Ascent:  3200

I wasnt able to blog yesterday so will try to fill you in on what happened.  We left Cascade Locks at 5:30 am as we had 104 miles to go with over 8,000 ft of climbing.  We all were looking forward to the challenge.  We crossed the "Bridge of the Gods" that took us into Washington state.  Its a steel grated bridge so you can see below to the water.  I kept telling myself not to look down but to look straight ahead - I have a problem with heights but I made it across.

We were told by the many weather apps everyone has on their iphones that we might have a shower or two but that it would be a nice day so we all dressed accordingly.  Luckily at the last minute I changed my windbreaker for a rain jacket.  About 10 miles out of town we started with the mist, then a heavier mist and then of course, the rain.  It would then stop and the sun would peep out so we thought it was clearing up and then it started again.  The temperature dropped to the low 40's and with the rain it was very cold.

The route itself was very pretty with a climb that kept us warm and then we hit the summit - we had to descend.  Wet, cold and descending on a wet road only made us colder.  We almost missed our turn but thank goodness we caught it in time and it was another downhill.  We are now getting colder than ever.   Then we turned onto FR 90 which was the road of the jungle.   It so reminded us of a jungle, wild trees growing, huge ferns everywhere - it was awesome - but we were way to cold to stop and take a picture.  I'm so bummed that I didn't but I was so cold I was shivering.

And this is where it all changed.  We arrived at the van/trailer and Mike came up to me and asked me
if I wanted her to take my bike.  I said why and she said the road was closed due to snow on the pass
and that this was the end of the ride for all the cyclists.  Everyone that came in was so cold - they had the heater on in the van and Emily was making hot chocolate and grilled cheese sandwiches for everyone.  We had to go around the mountain to get to Packwood.  3 hours away.  and that's what we did.  We all got in the van with the bikes on top and spent the next 3 hours on the road to Packwood.  At times the rain came down so hard you could hardly see the roads.  I was so glad I was in the van.   Crazy way to end a day.

Day Off - Day 36

So today is our day off in Cascade Locks,  A small little town which is the gateway to the Gorge and the "Bridge to the Gods" that we will ride over tomorrow to cycle into Washington, our last state.

This bridge is a steel bridge and you can see through to the water below.  We walked over to the bridge to see if I even wanted to ride on it as I dont like heights.  I think it will be ok as long as I don't look down.

We were walking down Main Street and this is what we found.  A solid bike station that is bolted down.  There is a place to steady your bike, a pump, tools that a person would need to fix pretty much anything on the bike, and a bike stand.  Its pretty cool.

We took a peek into this open door and there were 2 women sculptors.  One making an eagle and the other creating big foot.  They are being commissioned to make them and will tour the country.  She will make 9 others of the eagle for sale.

Bike Station

Gail, Fiona and Mike checking out the bike station,  

Gail pulling on one of the tools if she needed to use it.

The Eagle

Big Foot

Now its off for a hot dog for lunch and putting my feet up for our long day to Packwood, Washington tomorrow.  104 miles with around 8,000 feet of climbing.  Now this will be the cream of the crop of climbing  if I can make the entire ride on this very challenging day. 

Goverment Camp to Cascade Locks - Day 35

Mileage:  57
Total Ascent:  3661

Quite a bit of wind today.  In fact, they asked us not to ride on the interstate along the Hood River as the headwinds and sidewind gusts were really strong.  So instead of 68 miles we rode 57.  The first portion of our ride was climbing and then we had about 30 miles of descents.  That was so fun!  Love the downhills!

Gail, Judy, Sheila and I left earlier than the rest of the riders as we wanted to get a headstart on the climbs. It worked -  Gail and I are usually butt last but not today.

So after being driven the I84 route, we had 7 miles to go.  7 miles is nothing unless you ride these miles.  We were told rolling hills and yet our Garmins registered 14-16% grades and with the winds it was hard. Yikes!!

We are in Casade Locks for tonite and a layover day.  Our motel window looks out on the river so its a nice view.  Friday we ride over the bridge and land in Washington State for the remainder of our trip. Its coming up to the end with only 9 riding days left.

Mt Hood in all its glory

Mt Hood

Beautiful area

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.