2016 Sierra-Cascads route from Seattle to Reno

This summer's ride turned out to be a bit more challenging than I anticipated.   1,410 miles and 78,363 feet of elevation gain as I peddled from Seattle north to Sedro-Wooley, WA to join the Adventure Cycling Association's (ACA) Sierra-Cascades route which goes from Canada to Mexico attempting to follow the Pacific Creast Trail (PCT).  I did the route solo in two sessions.  In July I went from Seattle to Cashmere, WA via the North Cascades Highway and in late August and early September I rode from Cashmere to about 21 miles north of Truckee, CA where I left the route to head to my son Scott's house in Reno.  

This scenery was beautiful and the weather was perfect.  The only rain I experienced was a thunderstorm in the middle of the night just north of Lassen Volcanic National Park.  Though I knew the route attempted to follow the PCT, what I failed to realize before I started was that it crossed the trail several times.  During my 22 riding days I crossed the PCT ten times as I went back and forth from the west side to the east side of the Cascades and the Sierras and back.  I averaged 64 miles miles and 3,562' of evation gain per day.  However, the toughest and most challenging day was when I entered Crater Lake National Park (pictured above) from the north after 65 miles and 3,500 ' of elevation gain only to discover that the campground was another 22 miles and 1,800' of elevation gain away.  From Crater Lake the route came close to Ashland, OR where I enjoyed a very pleasant rest day which included a play and a few good brews at The Growler Station.   

I thoroughly enjoyed this route with the caveat that I probably pushed it a little too hard.  64 miles a day works well for me but 64 miles plus 3,500' of elevation gain a day was a bit much.  In the future, I need to do a better job of adjusting my mileage to account for the climbing.

Speaking of the future, I also did a two-day ride from Seattle to Anacortes via Whidbey Island in July, then to Sedro-Wooley.   Since the ACA Northern Tier cross-country route, which goes from Anacortes to Bar Harbor, Maine, also takes The North Cascades Highway, I have now done the first portion of that route from Anacortes to Twisp, WA.  Next year I hope to pick up that route in Twisp and continue east for as much time and energy as I have.  I will eventually make Bar Harbor,  but it may take a couple more years.  Anyone care to join me?  Bill