Washington
After skipping the Alaskean connection, we finally have started our US trip at Seattle. A train and a bus trip latter we are at the bike shop. Three more days of muching around, we are finally on the road and heading for the hills.
First few days was spent getting bikes, sorting money for bikes, and then looking at where to head to. Panniers were going to take a week to arrive, so we thought damn it, lets shoot off and do the cascade loop. Poor al has been the donkey, loaded with gear on the bike and around 15-20kgs on his back; chris has just around 5-7kgs. So we headed out east across stephens pass towards Wenatchee, camping in the pass at Wallace falls. Next day down to Chelan. Amazing country with a snow toped pass (not on the road) of around 1500m, cold but stunning. Chelan is more like central otago/Cromwell, and we had a day off there, then on to windthrop, and currently waiting for the weather to clear for rainy pass in the northern cascades to take us back to seattle. No wet or super cold riding, we have time so don’t see the point of getting wet or missing the view. We’ve seen families of Marmots (like a small wombat with a tail), deer (4) and some of the most amazing scenery of our lives. The roads are also amazing, which is great for riding. No off-road yet, but we are looking.
Northern cascades is topped by two passes Washington (5477ft, 1643m) and rainy pass (slightly lower). The roads just opened 3 weeks ago, and there is still 3-4ft of snow around. With the break in the weather, we were treated to the most amazing views of snow covered mountain tops, with mist rising as the sun hit the wet roads. Yes, it was cold, but it was as close to heavan as we’ve ever come and the most surreal experience, with only a dozen cars in our 2 hours on the road. Down the western side of the ranges is a stunning series of gorges, used for hydro, and some of the most fantastic scenery. The campsite is currently closed, so its free, but it’s the best campsite so far. We’ve had woodpeckers, a half dozen deer 5m from our camp, humming birds, eagles, and the most relaxing time drinking wine and eating marshmellows with fellow campers before we ended with the campsite to ourselves. It snowed to within 200m elevation from our camp at lake diablo, but otherwise sunny and warm. Oh, and the riding is glorious.
For anyone who is hesitant about the USA, don’t be. Come to seattle, hire yourself a car or bike, and do the loop. People are amazingly friendly here, the scenery is superb, and we guarantee you will be blown away…..
