We got up with the bird song and the sun(!) which helped us warm up before setting off down the trail. Our intention was to ride from Hyak to Thorp and camp at the same spot the Trio had in July. The sun was gloriously warm and the fall colors out in force. When we reached the canyon outside of Cle Elum that leads to Thorp we rode through an archway of gorgeous, brilliant yellow Black Cottonwood trees. We saw loads of bear scat and were very aware of our surroundings; which is why when we happened on a herd of free range cattle (1 of which was sleeping in the ditch next to the trail) it was very startling and when the sleeping cow stood up our brains had a bit of a stutter between cow versus bear. It was pretty hilarious and we laughed for quite some time!!
**If you are needing trail directions please reference our July Ride**
Memorable moments: scared by black bear-cow (hilarious moment!); gorgeous fall colors!! So, so very sweet to camp at the same spot the Trio did.
Wildlife sightings: 2 ground squirrels, 1 Douglas squirrel, 2 turkey vultures checking us out, scared a Raven, Pileated woodpecker, 1 sage grouse in full freeze mode, 3 huge piles of bear scat, 1 baby garter snake
Vital stats:
26 trestles
22 gates
4 tunnels
12 canyon cut-throughs
46.85 miles
ATM = 5:15:38
MXS = 17.5 mph
AVS = 8.8 mph
Nick's GPS:
48.7 miles
ATM = 6:47:36
AVS = 7.17 mph
118 feet of elevation gain
866 feet of elevation loss
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