SATURDAY 18 JUNE

Day 3: Diablo - Twisp


Distance: 73.9 miles (up and down some serious hills)

Woke to the sound of the pitter patter of rain on our tents and had an enjoyable time packing up camp for the first time in the wet. The view out over the mountains made up for it and we were soon loaded up and ready to go.


We headed down to pick up some water from the toilets at the scenic viewpoint we had camped near the night before only to find a simple drop and no sink. Fortunately, while discussing our predicament (we would have to cycle a mile or two back down the mountain to the nearest campsite), we were overheard by a passing visitor. He kindly showed us to his truck where he opened a cooler full of ice cold water bottles he hadn't used on his trip. Literally a life saver.


It rained all day. All the way up the 30+ miles to the summit of the Rainy (adeptly named) and Washington passes. It certainly was an experience. Several hours of gradual climbs in full waterproof gear. At some points the rain had begun to form rivers down the road.


At around 5,000 feet the rain tapered off and snow began to appear at the side of the road, at points over a metre high on both sides, and the temperature began to drop significantly.


The final push up to the summit was breathtaking, in more than one way, leaving us in a state of euphoria when we finally reached the green sign indicating the peak of the Pass.


We stopped to change into some warmer clothes for the descent (ended up wearing socks over my completely drenched cycling gloves) and descended at speeds up to 41mph for 35 miles down to Mazama.


We arrived in Twisp at 9pm to find our target camp site was under maintenance. It had been a long day so we flagged down a passing car to ask for directions to a possible alternative. It was occupied by a few high school kids, including Farley, who offered to pick up his truck and take us to the local park where we found solace on a patch of grass behind the local swimming pool where we set up camp. Special thanks to Farley for going so far out of his way to help us find a place to stay.