How I Spent My Summer Vacation

[ezbeemer]

Time again to do some riding on the left coast. I had a blast last time out. http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3650 I settled on a route that would string together a handful of destinations and the crooked bits that surround them.

Cross country shipping would be by ground

Their was abundant scenery along the way. Thanks again to Fishwitch for helping me out with logistics, I get a early start out of Truckee and head for Lassen NP.

I could hang out in Lassen all day, but It's far to early to quit just yet. I head down across the valley for some north California Twistiys. I'm not disappointed. 299 climbs out of the valley with some huge banked switchbacks that are unbelievable.

[indent]

[Megan]

Max speed 204? wtf!!!???

[ezbeemer]

I follow 3 North and take Gazelle Callahan Rd over to the 5. In short order, I'm headed for one of my main destinations. This is the Crater Lake Highway.

I stop at at the last campground before the crater and patiently wait to be checked in while they carefully enter all essential info into the computer. With the light fading fast, I pay the $19.62 for a spot of forest , $8.00 for a bundle of firewood and I'm on my way.

Tracks from day 1

[TimC]

Originally Posted by MrsKemesc

Max speed 204? wtf!!!???

My thought exactly!!

-Tim

[ezbeemer]

I break camp early and head up to the crater.

I get their a little after sunrise, but when I try to get some pics , the camera lens is fogging. I decide to grab some breakfast and then do the loop.

With a clear lens now-

[Victory]

HMMMMMMMMMM, 204mph, can I ride that thing :-)

[ezbeemer]

I leave the North entrance and head for the Cascade Lakes Hwy. The road winds it's way between blue lakes and massive lava fields. The GPS routes me onto a few dirt sections , but these all returned to the main road after a few miles. [

[ezbeemer]

After filling up in Bend , I head up the McKenzie pass. The road winds tightly through heavy forest and eventually over a gigantic lava field.

The day is finished when I reach the Columbia River.

[ezbeemer]

Originally Posted by MrsKemesc

Max speed 204? wtf!!!???

Funny, I don't recall falling off a cliff!

[ezbeemer]

Day 3 and I'm looking forward to getting some lean time. I cross the river into Washington and head for the hills with a loop through Klickitat canyon. A little less curvy then I hoped , but some real outstanding views including Mt. Adams

By mid morning I'm on the road toward Mt St Helen's. The road finally tightens up into some fun stuff when Wham , the road is closed due to a landslide. The flag girl lets me by to see if it's passable on a bike, but when I reach the area they have 8' slabs of blacktop blocking the way. The good news is I can still access Windy Ridge from the north. the bad is it's a 150 mile detour that includes slab time. A few hours later I reach my destination

I head back north toward Mt Rainier NP. I come across a campground just outside the park and get a really nice spot. As a bonus, I have perfect cool ,dry camping weather. Not even a hint of dew on the tent in the morning, But when I head out, I run into a heavy fog just a few miles away.