Summer time. Dry, no rain, mostly clear blue skies, livable high temps, dusty trails. Shortening daylight. But I get ahead of myself
Last Sunday I rode from Swampy anchor spot on the most direct route to the top of S Fork. All alone, no dust. Another South Fork descent. Old style trail under deep cascade tree cover. Stutter brake bumps that my Rail sucks up. Mine stays stable, no idea how other suspensions suck up the plentiful brake bumps. To me these bumps indicate speed change in anticipation of something challenging. I’m not the fastest around yet when I’m by myself I am always first fastest. Today clear skies created shadows. 15 mins of gravity assist stimulating muscles and reflexes. Perhaps 10 feet before the trail Ting at Tumalo creek trail brake bumps are deep enough to swallow a small stroller. Descend mostly with several short climbs interspersed w/ open sight, I missed 25 mph while not pulling on a brake. Fun descent where my speed does open my eyes wider. Stopped at the lodge to top off my hydration bladder from an outdoor stand spigot. Well water. Then pay back commenced climbing up Tumalo Ridge to junctions of Swede and SST.
About 4 mins to upload a pic. Move time line to today as I hiked up the far side of Tumalo Peak. More later.
I slogged up the old logging road taking longer than 18 mins. Today I took Swede back to Swampy instead of preferred SST. Swede gets the downhill shuttle traffic but with Sector 16 closed 7 days a week little traffic is on this trail Swede is shorter and has 1 killer climb, Lung Burner I heard it called that caused me several blows. I pedaled by a hike a biker.
The day was like above. For me it’s gorgeous. I stopped on a climb to soak up being out. I will pause for pic upload.
Trails up here are more rugged. I really like these trails.
Sunday night again at Swampy. Weather forecast calls for 100 degrees plus or minus for next 3 days. Some smoke. Swampy is 5810′ making here way cooler than town where those temps are forecast. Still high 80’s. This afternoon the van thermometer read 101 degrees. Sat outside in shade. This AM I drove down to town for resupply groceries and sink and drink water then drove back up.
I made today a rest day, no biking but I hiked Tumalo Peak. 53 mins to steeply hike 2.2 miles gaining 1428′. Non stop, breathed thru my nose letting breathing control my speed. Years ago I backcountry skied from Dutchman sno park to top following a skin track. Snowing white out. At the top I encountered another skier who said he knew how to ski the face. He was on randonee and I was an little side cut telemark skis. He dropped in and I followed. I have never skied such deep powder on such a steep slope before or since. Skinned back up then descended thru the trees back down. I spent the night in my Westy way down the mountain then went back up the next day. Same scenario but with a different skier. Today, on top looking down what I skied, I reflected on how dangerous those ski runs were.
So, I have food and water for 2 days which is normal. I have 7 gal sink water tank and a 2 gal drink water jug which I can squeak for 2 nights.
Slow internet and heavy eye lids bid adieu.