3 Valleys
Quiet farm roads with rolling climbs, great views, and plenty to explore.
Outdoor adventures, mostly gravel rides, but not always
Quiet farm roads with rolling climbs, great views, and plenty to explore.
One of the more beautiful hikes in the Olympics, especially for visiting high alpine lakes.
I hadn’t been to Royal Lake since a backpacking trip in July 2011. At the time we were unable to make it to the upper basin because of a late melting snow pack. I was excited to explore the upper basin on this trip as over the last few years I had become pretty familiar with the region from prior rides and hikes.
A HC climb to the Hurricane Ridge Visitors center, then a punchy gravel classic.
This year’s edition of Ride the Hurricane had two great changes from last year:
Riding from Bainbridge Island to Deception Pass over bridges, on ferries, and on quiet roads.
An abandoned forest service road, a beautiful river, great views, and a mac & cheese lunch. Pretty perfect ride with Kid.
Steep climbing to an alpine lake, then a more climbing to a ridge with expansive views of the Olympics.
My fifth trip up to Lake Angeles, but first time in the summer, did not disappoint. A beautiful lake view rewards this steep Olympics climb. Unlike my typical winter foray we left the lake behind us and climbed the Klahhane Ridge Trail to an exceptional lunch spot with clear views to Mt Olympus and its glaciers.
I had been wanting to ride this event for a long time but the timing never seen to work out. Finally this year the dates aligned and I was able to ride it.
Enjoyable hike in perfect fall conditions. Started hiking around 10am with air temperature just above freezing so dress appropriately. The trail is in good condition but lacks any signage so be sure to follow the directions, particularly bearing to the right at the T. Arrived at the ridge around noon.
Wonderful day hike to Marmot Pass and to Buckhorn Mountain. The weather was nearly perfect, all in all a great day. The trail leading to Marmot Pass was in great shape and the meadow at the junction with the Tubal Cain trail never disappoints. I stopped for short lunch overlooking the meadow and mountains before summiting Buckhorn Mountain.