E Steven's Pass to ... I discovered Lake Wenatchee! (pics - must see)
04-16-12, 10:02 AM
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E Steven's Pass to ... I discovered Lake Wenatchee! (pics - must see)
This time I didn't really have a plan; I just knew I'd find somewhere nice to ride if I drove my bike into the mountains. The last weekend I'd had a great time on US 2, so I figured I'd stick with a winner. Sure enough... 
I parked at a highway rest stop at Nason Creek, and biked up toward Steven's Pass. The road divides (like a freeway) on both sides of the pass, and this seemed like a good point to turn around. But my legs weren't done, so I went back, passed the car, and laid down some miles in the other direction. After a while, there was another road going to the side, and I wanted to see what was down that way. Good choice...!
I've seen pictures of Lake Wenatchee, but that didn't prepare me to stumble on the place on a ride. Holy crap, talk about beautiful! I was all agog at the scenery. There was a lot of snow, even on the beach, but I'll be coming back with my tent and bike soon.
Now, here are the photos.
This was near the beginning of my ride. The eastern Cascades have this giant yellow thing in the sky, and Seattle people aren't used to seeing it. Out there, the sky is blue instead of gray like concrete ... I had to snap a picture and show people, but they don't believe me:
Heading up the mountain, almost to the pass, near the river:
Coming back down the mountain:
The clouds are starting to break up as I come into the rain shadow of the Cascades:
Lake Wenatchee:
An idyllic creek on the way out, with more of those blue skies:
I parked at a highway rest stop at Nason Creek, and biked up toward Steven's Pass. The road divides (like a freeway) on both sides of the pass, and this seemed like a good point to turn around. But my legs weren't done, so I went back, passed the car, and laid down some miles in the other direction. After a while, there was another road going to the side, and I wanted to see what was down that way. Good choice...!
I've seen pictures of Lake Wenatchee, but that didn't prepare me to stumble on the place on a ride. Holy crap, talk about beautiful! I was all agog at the scenery. There was a lot of snow, even on the beach, but I'll be coming back with my tent and bike soon.
Now, here are the photos.
This was near the beginning of my ride. The eastern Cascades have this giant yellow thing in the sky, and Seattle people aren't used to seeing it. Out there, the sky is blue instead of gray like concrete ... I had to snap a picture and show people, but they don't believe me:
Heading up the mountain, almost to the pass, near the river:
Coming back down the mountain:
The clouds are starting to break up as I come into the rain shadow of the Cascades:
Lake Wenatchee:
An idyllic creek on the way out, with more of those blue skies:
04-16-12, 10:34 AM
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Wow, nice pics. Too bad that Cervelo is blocking the view.
04-16-12, 11:41 AM
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For a better view of the lake, you should ride out here!
These aren't as good from a photographic standpoint, but they're fun, and they're cycling photos. A friend of mine told me after seeing last week's pics that "mountains are supposed to be experienced in portrait orientation."
This was one of about a billion small waterfalls along the way:
And more mountains:
These aren't as good from a photographic standpoint, but they're fun, and they're cycling photos. A friend of mine told me after seeing last week's pics that "mountains are supposed to be experienced in portrait orientation."
This was one of about a billion small waterfalls along the way:
And more mountains:
04-16-12, 12:51 PM
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well hello there
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Nice!
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04-16-12, 02:21 PM
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impressive! sure puts the scenery of my weekend's rides to shame. 
04-16-12, 03:14 PM
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Thanks for the pictures! Beautiful!
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04-16-12, 03:27 PM
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thx
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04-16-12, 04:33 PM
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Thanks, everyone! 
04-16-12, 06:39 PM
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wow!! you win man. i need to try some cascade routes up there and down here....sweet. i was contemplating riding up to timberline lodge from the base of government camp this summer.
04-16-12, 06:52 PM
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Looks like where I ride in Taos, but wetter.
04-16-12, 06:56 PM
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ah.... sure.
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Done that ride more than a few times.... always a pleasure. Nice pic's!
04-16-12, 07:00 PM
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Nice pictures and it looks like you had a great ride. Eastern WA is commonly overlooked, but the natural beauty plus the wineries (if you come towards the Columbia Valley) is truly amazing.
04-16-12, 07:07 PM
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Wow I love pic ride reports. Looks like an amazing place to ride.
04-16-12, 07:17 PM
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dude, somebody wrote their name on the bottom of all your pictures.
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