Concrete to Colonial Creek Campground, WA (41 miles)

Written on 6-16 but posted on 6-18.

Today, I was up with the sun and moving around by 5:30am.  I enjoyed a quick breakfast of oatmeal and peanut butter, and coffee.   It was very damp out, and everyone’s tents were soaked, however it didn’t rain all day long.  By the early afternoon, we had sun and it had warmed up nicely.

Our campsite, with Jeff packing his things

The ride started out nice, but quickly turned into a grind.  It was slightly uphill most of the day, with steeper hills periodically.  At 10am we stopped in Marble-mount to purchase food for the next day, the store clerk told us this was the last food for 69 miles.  I guess he didn’t know about the store in Newhalem 10 miles further east. 

In Newhalem we waited for everyone to get caught up while enjoying a slow lunch.  We knew we only had 10 miles to go, and we didn’t feel like rushing.  After an hour break, we started our final section of the days’ ride.  Unfortunately it was also the toughest stretch we’ve had so far.  Right out of Newhalem, we had a 4 mile hill which gained about 1100 feet, about an 8% grade.  A nice downhill followed, but another steep, long hill ended the trip.

Now we’re staying in a beautiful national park campground.  In the background I hear the sound of water rushing over rocks, and birds chirping.  The sun is out, helping to dry everything out and to make the environment quite cozy.

 

Tomorrow we’ve got a doozy of a ride, as we crest Washingon pass at 5, 477 feet.  Right now we’re at about 2000 feet.  So 3,477 feet over 31 miles and then another 31 miles into Windthrop where will spend the night.

Jut after I finished typing this post, a storm moved in.  First, came the cold wind, then the rain followed about 7:45pm.  Everyone quickly fled to their tents and went to sleep early.  I'm posting this on Friday the 18th, I'll get the next two days out tomorrow, as we're taking the day off to rest and recuperate for the next two big passes.