Starting at the Cle Elum train depot I began up the Palouse to Cascades trail. It was very rough in the beginning, but eventually smoothed out. It was so nice to hear the absolute quiet of no cars, and just the wind and the birds. For the first 2 hours I saw just one runner. I thought I might see more people out, but that changed later in the day. The trail went through deep woods, open pastures, past several lakes, and high ridges. It was nice and cool for quite a while. I packed as if I would be alone all day. I haven’t done this for some time. The trail crossed over multiple train trestles and bridges. There were far more access points and road crossings than what I originally expected. There were trailheads scattered all along the path. At one point I ran across Sam and Hunter who were on their first bike packing tour. They were thoroughly enjoying themselves and found it easier than they had expected. They told me about the trail ahead and even the upcoming two mile long tunnel which I already knew about. Heading down the trail I came across a bike detour sign 25 miles. I stopped to check my map and wondered what could that mean.
As I moved down the trail I ran across a hiker and another biker and both of them told me it was because of the road construction on the interstate. I could get through this trail to my expected destination. That was good news I had no intention of riding another interstate. A little bit later I ran into Mike who was a local, who originally grew up in Traverse City Michigan. So we had quite a lot to talk about and he told me all about the area. He was an avid outdoorsman. Just prior to the tunnel entrance I met up with Lisa Marie and he provided some information for her adventures in the Jeep. Mike rode with me to the entrance of the tunnel, but he had to stop due to the fact that he had no lights. This tunnel was so long and so dark when you first started you could not see the light at the end. The only lights in the tunnel were from other people walking or riding. The tunnel was wide enough for a bus. Obviously it was for a train. I was surprised at how many people were walking with dogs and young kids even in strollers. This was obviously a real point of interest. On the far side the trail began a long descent. There were many people returning from their journey getting ready to head back through the tunnel the opposite way. I’m met Axle and his wife who were on the side of the trail picking different berries to eat and take home. It was so nice to be back on a trail and see people enjoying a beautiful day on the weekend. I came across multiple groups of people who were rock climbing along the sheer cliffs of the trail. I stopped and watched as they methodically made their way up or down. As the trail continued its slow descent I stopped and talked to a few other people and took some more pictures. At one point while I was stopped, a large group of approximately 38 teenagers and a handful of adults on mountain bikes came riding by. Getting back on my bike I tracked them down and asked what they were up to. As I was talking to their leader Joe, I found out that this was the Tahoma mountain biking team. They were out on their first ride for the season getting the group back together. An afternoon ride for some fun, friends, and fellowship. We were all headed to the same location, Rattlesnake Lake. Several of their other parents had gone on ahead to set up camp and lay out food for the kids. I was hoping to get a picture of all the kids because it was super cool to see all their different mountain bikes and their gear. I talked to several and they were having a great time. Unfortunately this place was super popular and Lisa Marie was unable to find a parking spot. I would have loved to have heard a little bit more about their group. So on the advice of Mike from earlier in the day Lisa Marie and I headed off to dinner and were treated to a great meal and beautiful waterfall at the end of the day.
Insights from Lisa Marie
Left Norm on trail to start again. I was on my own as he was on trail all the way to the planned stop in North Bend, Washington our endpoint today. First part of my morning was spent driving through a large valley from Ellensburg where we stayed the night before to Cle Elum. After hearing from Norm he didn’t need me till 2:00, I decided to find another fire road😁. From the picture this was number 4832. Great nice wide dirt road through the forest for miles till I came into Keechelus Lake area where it was paved. I met Norm at trail stop there and all was well so I continued to do my own route. For the afternoon I spent traversing the forest roads up the on Snoqualmie Mountain. The first one was a narrow dirt road up to the Pacific Crest trailhead. After I passed all the parked cars it became all rocky to the point my car went into 4 wheel drive and I prayed for my tires. After about 30 minutes of this I came to a steep downhill grade that I said ok I am done! So I went back. With still time to kill of course I had to see how far I could get coming from the other side. So back up the mountain. This road was much wider and not rocky at all. After passing under the ski lift, I saw people hiking and a lone runner so I knew people went up here on these forest roads😂. Then I ran into 2 young boys on dirt bikes. Again I came to another turn where I believe the Jeep could have made it but after getting out to look at the downhill grade I was done. Dirt bikes on this no problem but I didn’t want to risk the jeep. Turned around again to go down. Met up with Norm at this very crowded lake area. It was a cool lake and obviously a place to be. We had an amazing dinner at the Salish Lodge where there was the beautiful Snoqualmie Falls to view. Another great day!
