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
Showing posts with label Hyak. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hyak. Show all posts
Thursday, July 13, 2017
JWPT Take 2! - Day 1
We began our day in such a thick fog that you could hardly see the trail in front of you and it drenched us to the bone which also made us quite cold. We also had to ride on the road from our house to a different trail access point because King County was renovating the trestles on the trail. We began our ride around 7 a.m. and headed straight out from our house towards Hyak on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. We reached Rattlesnake Lake around lunch time and stopped for a rest and food. By this time the sun was starting to come out and we were warming up, but still drenched with sweat and the morning fog. The steady climb up to Hyak began after Rattlesnake Lake and it was hard going! Neither of us had trained with weight and Nick hadn't trained the long distance we were doing on day 1. For need and memory's sake we stopped at the waterfall from our July 2016 ride and refilled our water. After what felt like forever, we finally reached the Hyak tunnel and proceeded through. We used the hot air blowers in the bathroom and hot water to warm up and dry as much of our gear as possible, then set-up camp a short ways down the trail. By the time we ate dinner and set-up camp it was dark and we fell into our sleeping bags. It got quite cold that night, probably into the low 40's/high 30's and much of our gear did not dry completely.
**If you are needing trail directions please reference our July ride**
Memorable moments: Brutal day of riding! Started on the road from the house due to trail construction. Got on the trail at the white post. So foggy this morning we were drenched and the fog turned to rain on our glasses and helmets. We saw some friends on the way out and said a final farewell as they were moving away. Filtered water at the same waterfall the Trio did. Made it to Hyak!! Camped at the side of the trail after utilizing bathroom and hand dryers to wash and warm up.
Wildlife sightings: Grey squirrel, Townsend chipmunk, lots of Flickers and Juncos, beautiful fall colors
Vital stats:
51.02 miles
7:06:43
MXS = 28 mph
AVS = 7.1 mph
2,821.5 feet of elevation gain
37 trestles
2 tunnels
1 gate
Nick's GPS:
53 miles
10:49:00 (Nick forgot to turn the GPS off at rests and stops)
AVS = 4.59 mph
JWPT Take 2! - Day 0
After seeing our struggles and triumphs on the JWPT, and me throwing out ideas, Nick decided that he wanted to ride a portion of the trail and see what it was like. We planned for a couple of months and trained for about 6 weeks. It was pretty funny to complete our training rides and see signs for an upcoming marathon and know we were going much further!
We chose the latter part of September to ride due to scheduling and intended to ride from Duvall to the Prater Road detour, turn around and ride back home.
We used our Specialized hybrid bikes with touring tires, 4 panniers each, I had a handlebar bag and Nick had a small stem bag for holding snacks. We did not have a satellite tracker, but gave our route to family and friends and also used our Garmin GPS unit which had emergency capabilities if we had any difficulties. I knew that for the section of trail we'd be riding we would have occasional cell reception and could check in as needed.
Day 0 saw much packing, planning and putting things together as we intended to start our day bright and early...
We used our Specialized hybrid bikes with touring tires, 4 panniers each, I had a handlebar bag and Nick had a small stem bag for holding snacks. We did not have a satellite tracker, but gave our route to family and friends and also used our Garmin GPS unit which had emergency capabilities if we had any difficulties. I knew that for the section of trail we'd be riding we would have occasional cell reception and could check in as needed.
Day 0 saw much packing, planning and putting things together as we intended to start our day bright and early...
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
2016 John Wayne Pioneer Trail - Day 2
During my training and riding I had decided I would ride my Specialized cross bike with touring size tires, 4 panniers (2 small, 2 large) and a handlebar bag. I also ended up adding a backpack to carry extra water in that was lashed between my two large, rear panniers. Day 2 is when the trail started to reveal the level of different terrains we'd be facing - some heavier river rock, deep gravel and super rugged areas over multi-use sections in Cle Elum. These are sections of the trail where ATV's are allowed to also use the trail. I have lots of different feelings about mixed-use trails, but I'll talk about that in another post...
Trail riding notes: We were not able to make Hyak on our first day of riding, but on my ride in the fall we were able to do so. When you reach Hyak, the tunnel is very dark and cold; be sure to have adequate headlights/headlamps and you might want to add a jacket or layer. Water drips from the ceiling and the sides of the trail through the tunnel drop off to keep water off the trail. Be sure to ride towards the middle of the tunnel rather than the sides as you risk falling when you ride on the sides. The tunnel can also be crowded at times with other riders and lots of walkers. Once you reach the other side of the tunnel there are primitive campsites a little ways past Hyak; at Hyak there are restrooms and showers to use (you need coinage to operate the shower). The trail continues on from Hyak with no detours and is slightly downhill (a welcome respite after your climb!!). There are several camp sites and pit toilets along the way between Hyak and Thorp, including the sweet Iron Horse Inn B&B in Cle Elum. There are several gates prior to gravel road crossings that you can ride or walk around; make sure you close, re-chain and/or lock any gates you go through. As you approach Thorp you will ride through several tunnels. These tunnels have been repaired and are safe to ride through; some you will need lights for and others just be sure to take your sunglasses off. 😉 When you reach Thorp, ride a short ways past the fruit/antique stand to the trestle that crosses the Yakima River. Directly before the trestle, down to the right is a very sweet riverside campsite. Easy river access, lovely sandy spot, flat-ish campsite area, trees to hang clothes on and wonderful place of rest. Please keep this place clean and well kept for future trail users!
Here's our day 2 entry...
Wildlife settings: 3 Douglas squirrels, 3 rabbits, lots of birds, 1 bull snake, 1 lizard, at the last tunnel going into Thorp we saw bats in the tunnel, saw our first livestock - cows
Trail people met: Byron with Bike Hugger, Greg with The Starving Cyclist, Dan on his way to Cle Elum (he helped us unlock Sandy's chain and was our first Trail Angel)
Memorable Moments: Epic ecological transitions, Sandy's chain bent and got stuck, Rachel stabbed herself in the leg with her large bike gear. So windy on the East side!! Thank goodness for tail wind!! Set up camp next to the Yakima river at a sweet little spot and bathed in the river. Smells of dust, smoke and Pine.
Vital Stats:
26 bridges/trestles
5 tunnels (1 was the epic long Snoqualmie/Hyak tunnel)
2 sets of chained gates - no locks
Lots of road crossings
2 railroad crossings
57.4 miles
ATM = 6:46:24
MXS = 34.7 mph
AVS = 8.4 mph
Trail riding notes: We were not able to make Hyak on our first day of riding, but on my ride in the fall we were able to do so. When you reach Hyak, the tunnel is very dark and cold; be sure to have adequate headlights/headlamps and you might want to add a jacket or layer. Water drips from the ceiling and the sides of the trail through the tunnel drop off to keep water off the trail. Be sure to ride towards the middle of the tunnel rather than the sides as you risk falling when you ride on the sides. The tunnel can also be crowded at times with other riders and lots of walkers. Once you reach the other side of the tunnel there are primitive campsites a little ways past Hyak; at Hyak there are restrooms and showers to use (you need coinage to operate the shower). The trail continues on from Hyak with no detours and is slightly downhill (a welcome respite after your climb!!). There are several camp sites and pit toilets along the way between Hyak and Thorp, including the sweet Iron Horse Inn B&B in Cle Elum. There are several gates prior to gravel road crossings that you can ride or walk around; make sure you close, re-chain and/or lock any gates you go through. As you approach Thorp you will ride through several tunnels. These tunnels have been repaired and are safe to ride through; some you will need lights for and others just be sure to take your sunglasses off. 😉 When you reach Thorp, ride a short ways past the fruit/antique stand to the trestle that crosses the Yakima River. Directly before the trestle, down to the right is a very sweet riverside campsite. Easy river access, lovely sandy spot, flat-ish campsite area, trees to hang clothes on and wonderful place of rest. Please keep this place clean and well kept for future trail users!
Here's our day 2 entry...
Wildlife settings: 3 Douglas squirrels, 3 rabbits, lots of birds, 1 bull snake, 1 lizard, at the last tunnel going into Thorp we saw bats in the tunnel, saw our first livestock - cows
Trail people met: Byron with Bike Hugger, Greg with The Starving Cyclist, Dan on his way to Cle Elum (he helped us unlock Sandy's chain and was our first Trail Angel)
Memorable Moments: Epic ecological transitions, Sandy's chain bent and got stuck, Rachel stabbed herself in the leg with her large bike gear. So windy on the East side!! Thank goodness for tail wind!! Set up camp next to the Yakima river at a sweet little spot and bathed in the river. Smells of dust, smoke and Pine.
Vital Stats:
26 bridges/trestles
5 tunnels (1 was the epic long Snoqualmie/Hyak tunnel)
2 sets of chained gates - no locks
Lots of road crossings
2 railroad crossings
57.4 miles
ATM = 6:46:24
MXS = 34.7 mph
AVS = 8.4 mph
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