Day 3 was when we started to notice the trail terrain really changing - mix of sand and heavy river rock. With my narrow tires there were moments I had to do quite a bit of walking and just sheer muscling of my bike down the trail. Day 3 for many people is the hardest, whether hiking or biking or doing any physical activity. Day 3 is often the day your muscles are the most sore, your emotions are really struggling for balance, your mental exhaustion may be peaking, your calorie burn is really starting to hit, etc. It is a hard day and remembering to be gentle with yourself, push to your comfort level and taking breaks is so very important. So many lessons were learned on day 3 - when a detour is suggested, you should probably take it; when lost, ask for directions; when needing help, be willing to knock on doors; lean into the discomfort, fear, anger, frustration and journey; be open...
Trail riding notes: The trail can be a little tricky when you reach Ellensburg. At the old depot in Ellensburg, cross the road and continue on the trail for a short ways where it leads directly into W 14th Avenue; turn left onto 14th and follow through the CWU campus. The road becomes E 14th Avenue and then E Dean Nicholson Blvd, when you reach N Alder St. turn right and follow until a 4-way stop light. Continue through the stop-light and you will begin to ride onto the Ellensburg fairgrounds; rejoin the trail to the left where the brown trail sign indicates. The trail continues on out of Ellensburg and through the small township of Kittitas. As you leave Kittitas the trail will begin to gradually climb until you reach Prater Road (there is a large alfalfa farm to the right of the trail with very large hay stacks). This is the detour around the closed trestle that crosses I-90, approximately 3 miles down the trail - take the detour! Turn right on Prater Road, left on Boylston Road which will come to a 'dead-end' T at Stevens Road; there is a road sign and trail sign to follow. Turn right onto Stevens Road and ride up onto the Yakima Training Center reserve. If you choose to wait a day to begin riding the reserve early the next morning, there is a pit toilet and you can camp at the primitive West entry of the reserve. This is a dry camp and there is no water.
Trail riding notes: The trail can be a little tricky when you reach Ellensburg. At the old depot in Ellensburg, cross the road and continue on the trail for a short ways where it leads directly into W 14th Avenue; turn left onto 14th and follow through the CWU campus. The road becomes E 14th Avenue and then E Dean Nicholson Blvd, when you reach N Alder St. turn right and follow until a 4-way stop light. Continue through the stop-light and you will begin to ride onto the Ellensburg fairgrounds; rejoin the trail to the left where the brown trail sign indicates. The trail continues on out of Ellensburg and through the small township of Kittitas. As you leave Kittitas the trail will begin to gradually climb until you reach Prater Road (there is a large alfalfa farm to the right of the trail with very large hay stacks). This is the detour around the closed trestle that crosses I-90, approximately 3 miles down the trail - take the detour! Turn right on Prater Road, left on Boylston Road which will come to a 'dead-end' T at Stevens Road; there is a road sign and trail sign to follow. Turn right onto Stevens Road and ride up onto the Yakima Training Center reserve. If you choose to wait a day to begin riding the reserve early the next morning, there is a pit toilet and you can camp at the primitive West entry of the reserve. This is a dry camp and there is no water.
Wildlife sightings: 1 milk snake, rabbits, mama Killdeer guarding her eggs, beautiful bird sightings - hawks pair hunting, Red Tail Hawk swooping, Turkey vultures, funny quail!!
Memorable moments: Didn't take a detour, went 6 miles out of the way; endured hiking up and down a 45 or more degree slope - I screamed at the top, "I did this!!! YES!!!!" Sobbing, so brutalized. Rode back ~3 miles in a wicked headwind. Rachel got a tire puncture, heard a pop, saw white spray and then rolled forward so Stan's stuff sealed; never had to add air or anything. Did some major hills and by the time we got to the military base we couldn't go any further. Camped in a crazy windswept plain and planned to get up at 4am to try again. Smells of dust, grass, sagebrush.
Vital stats:
33 bridges/trestles
28.76 miles
ATM = 3:47:50
MXS = 27.5 mph
AVS = 7.5 mph
JWPT Day 3
"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love." ~Washington Irving
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