Mount Rainier National Park - Paradise Hike

"Of all the fire-mountains, which, like beacons, once blazed along the Pacific coast, Mount Rainier is the noblest in form." - John Muir, 1906

We hiked an epic, unforgettable, beautiful (but exhausting) 8+ miles from Paradise, up along the slopes of this incredible mountain. Words just can't describe it. We hope these pictures tell a story...

Hiking Hurricane Ridge

We drove from Sequim to Port Angeles and hung a left to head into Olympic National Park at Hurricane Ridge. Olympic has three main sections: The Pacific Beaches, the rain forest valleys and the incredible glacier-capped peaks above the old growth wilderness. We hiked 7+ miles into the wilderness, enjoying every beautiful step (some of which were on very, very steep climbs and descents). Here's just some of what we saw along the way...

Sand Castles...

We got lucky and stumbled upon the Port Angeles "Arts in Action" Festival, and the North American Masters International Sand Sculptures Contest. Unbelievable!

Crescent Lake, Maryann Falls and Sol Duc Falls

Saturday we enjoyed Olympic National Park by bike and on foot. We started out on the Spruce Trail - which is pretty much the only trail in the Park where mountain biking is permitted. It's a beautiful 24 miles round trip along the shore of Crescent Lake.
After the ride we drove to the Storm King Ranger Station and did a 3 mile hike to Maryann Falls.
Oh Deer!
Today we hiked a 6-mile loop along the Sol Duc River, through the forest...
to the Sol Duc Falls.
Tomorrow is our last day in Forks. Our next stop is just 60 or so miles away, on the other side of Olympic National Park. We plan to do lots of riding and hiking from our base in Sequim, WA. Stay tuned!

The Wild Coast of Olympic National Park

For the next two weeks, we're on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Our first stop is a little town called Forks. Having not read the books or seen the movie, before we arrived we had no idea that this little town was put on the map as the hometown of vampires from the Twilight series. They're absolutely Twilight crazy here! Every hotel room is sold out - and giggling high school girls are everywhere. Wow. Who knew?

We hit the beach today - and explored the beautiful and rugged coastline of Olympic National Park.

Cascade Cream Puff

It's not quite 5am at the start line of the Cascade Cream Puff where 200 riders are lining up to race 100+ miles with over 18,000+ feet of climbing. Brian is ready to roll!

The forecast today was mostly cloudy with 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms. WRONG! It rained all day, with temperatures in the upper 40s. The trails got wet and muddy (although you can't tell from the photos), and the racers were soaking wet and freezing cold all day.
Here's how some of the Cream Puff staff stayed warm.
This is part of the "Jedi Trail" - the last bit of singletrack on the top loop, leading back to the mid-mountain aid station.
Mid-mountain aid station. Brian didn't have to use this since he brought personal SAG...
Brian's personal SAG. There were lots of vehicles mid-mountain; making it very tempting for shivering racers to bail. Many did.
Every turn, and every obstacle was marked with orange arrows or ribbon. Three arrows pointing down means, "caution - you could DIE here!"
Brian rolls in after his second 35+ mile lap. The first time he came through, Deb was concerned that it was the end of the day... Brian was shivering uncontrollably, and suffering terrible butt pain from the new saddle. His tried and true saddle had completely broken down a week before; so he was forced to buy a new, slightly different model. The new saddle worked fine on a 20-mile training ride; but on race day Brian's butt did not dig the change. Fortunately, we had Brian's road bike in the van. He took the time to swap saddles - and pushed on. He definitely looked, and felt, better the second time around.
The covered bridge at the finish line! A welcome sight!

Yes! After a long, long day, soaking wet, freezing cold, caked with mud, numb hands and feet - it's over! Bravo, Brian!!!


The race director personally greats and congratulates each finisher...
and awards the coveted Cascade Cream Puff cap!

Actual ride stats for the day: 108 miles - 18,031 feet of climbing.
Congratulations Brian!

"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”
- Lance Armstrong