Rainy and Washington Passes (pics)
05-07-13, 10:25 AM
#1
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Rainy and Washington Passes (pics)
I spent this past weekend in the best of all places: the North Cascades. I camped on the edge of a beautiful glacial lake surrounded by big, snowy mountains, enjoyed some stargazing, a steep and grueling snow hike, and a ride through the high country.
I haven't gone over the GPS data yet so I don't know how far I rode or just how much elevation was involved. I parked at a pull-out that had been cleared of snow, rode over Rainy Pass, down and then back up Washington Pass, down into the Methow Valley a little bit, then back up and eventually to my car. There was snow everywhere, with some melt on the road. Mostly it was in the 90s F, but occasionally I'd get hit by a blast of 45 degree air in the shade of the trees, or as I went by a waterfall. I enjoyed the chance to cool off.
My pocket camera is still dead, so I brought my SLR and rigged a hip belt for its bag. It was nervous going with a heavy and expensive camera that could hurt a lot if I crashed, but it worked in a pinch.
This was a fantastic ride through beautiful country.
I haven't gone over the GPS data yet so I don't know how far I rode or just how much elevation was involved. I parked at a pull-out that had been cleared of snow, rode over Rainy Pass, down and then back up Washington Pass, down into the Methow Valley a little bit, then back up and eventually to my car. There was snow everywhere, with some melt on the road. Mostly it was in the 90s F, but occasionally I'd get hit by a blast of 45 degree air in the shade of the trees, or as I went by a waterfall. I enjoyed the chance to cool off.
My pocket camera is still dead, so I brought my SLR and rigged a hip belt for its bag. It was nervous going with a heavy and expensive camera that could hurt a lot if I crashed, but it worked in a pinch.
This was a fantastic ride through beautiful country.
05-07-13, 10:26 AM
#2
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The day before, I hiked about 3 miles from the end of Cascade River Road to the world's most beautiful trailhead, stayed a few hours, and hiked back down. In those 3 miles I gained about 1,700 feet, hiking in deep snow (which required heavy boots). Nature demonstrated her fury, but didn't direct it at anybody; I saw a monster avalanche come down J'burg Mountain on the hike out, from a nice sheltered spot.
Here's some stargazing from camp.
Here's some stargazing from camp.
05-07-13, 11:11 AM
#5
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I'm not sure if that's allowed here! 
This was the hottest weather we've had all year, and there was a big storm with a lot of snow the previous week, so it was really too dangerous to go climbing. I spent hours on the "trail" and heard or saw an avalanche probably every ten minutes on average. Almost all of them were across the valley, but coming down those craggy walls, the ones that beg to be climbed. I had plans to make an attempt on Cascade Pass, but it had "bad idea" written all over it.
This was the hottest weather we've had all year, and there was a big storm with a lot of snow the previous week, so it was really too dangerous to go climbing. I spent hours on the "trail" and heard or saw an avalanche probably every ten minutes on average. Almost all of them were across the valley, but coming down those craggy walls, the ones that beg to be climbed. I had plans to make an attempt on Cascade Pass, but it had "bad idea" written all over it.
05-07-13, 03:19 PM
#7
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Thanks! It's not luck, though, I moved across the continent because I love mountains. 
05-07-13, 03:26 PM
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05-07-13, 03:29 PM
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05-07-13, 03:48 PM
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Much of Hwy. 20 has an excellent shoulder like this, but much does not. For reasons known only to the DOT, they chipsealed some of the finest pavement in the state a couple years ago, visible in these excellent photos. Nice work!
05-07-13, 04:02 PM
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05-07-13, 08:31 PM
#19
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Great pictures! I particularly like the stargazing pics. Out of curiousity, what iso and shutter speed were you using for those.
05-07-13, 08:36 PM
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Yet another vote for awesome. Well done.
05-07-13, 08:40 PM
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Gotta say its really hard to hate this area when the weather is nice like last weekend. Almost worth suffering through all the damp grey depressing months to get here. Great pictures Seattle Forest. I would love to get out and ride some of these places you get around to but no time at the moment.
05-07-13, 09:32 PM
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Amazing photos! I now have the sudden urge to plan a trip out west! Thanks for sharing.
