Whew, just over a year out of state. Presently parked at Randle for internet before heading over cayuse Pass to Greenwater area.
Rode Lewis River on Fri, what fun to be back in the wet as in creek crossings, the trail was mostly dry but Spot is a bit caked. This trail ain’t flat: ride upstream gained 1958′ and returning same route it gained 1557 going downstream.
Sat I drove to Ape Canyon @ ST Helens, Clouds formed a cover over upper mtn. Decided to wait a day in hopes of clear skies. Hiked up same trail I will ride. Found blue and huckleberries, picked enough for Sun bfast.
Sunday Am the clouds were about the same. I put on knee warmers and longunder wear top and carried rain coat for my ride. Rode in forest into a brief shower, seems to only have benn like a elevation trail shower as once I climbed some more I broke out of wet. Made Plains of Abraham w/ clouds on upper mtn. Riding in volcanic debris of pumice is debilitating: a slight grade is a challenge because of energy sapping pumice. Stopped short of steep steps and turned for beer. Encountered maybe 20 riders and 4 hikers; heavy bike use. I rode against the flow on my way down.
Hot Shower @ van.
Drove back up road to bridge crossing a glacial melt stream and filled a jar of h2o to watch colloidal suspension settle. I need to research the chemisrty of the solution.
Met a Turner rider, John, who is on a big bike tour. We rode some of the same places.
And then the windy, up & down drive over h2o beat pavement to Randle.
Next is Greenwater.
Dinner time, got to do some driving & loose internet.