This Too Shall Pass

My last Pass and feeling relieved.

Brom 

Diablo Lake, our campsite is below.

The beginning of our climb to Washington Pass

One of our cyclist below

Morning coffee in Winthrop 

Today’s ride was a difficult but rewarding day. After leaving the little town of Winthrop we began a long ascent to the last pass out of the Northern Cascades, Washington Pass. It was a 4,000 some foot climb to over 5,000 ft. We started at around 900 feet. Over the 30 miles of climbing, I was awestruck by the spectacular glacier mountains. I had no idea that the Cascades could rival the Rockies and Glacier National Park. I believe the scenery today was more magnificent than anything I’ve every seen in any National Park in the US. The climb to Washington Pass was grueling. The heat was a problem but only at the start of the ride. I did have a little difficulty with the altitude, at least I think so. I felt a little lightheaded at around 4,500 ft. Once at the top we met the rest stop van and cheered each other as we ascended the top. The 30 mile ride down the pass was not as fast as usual. There was a strong headwind in our faces and around every turn there was a spectacular view. I took a multitude of pictures that I hope captured the beauty before my eyes. We reached our primitive campsite at Diablo Lake and tried bathing in the freezing glacier lake. I’ll never complain about another cold hose shower. The lake water just about stopped my heart. A “Polar Plunge” is definitely off my bucket list. After a fine camp meal of brown rice and beef jerky I prepared myself for Brom. Brom is a celebration near the end of a cross country ride where everyone dresses in their finest Thrift Store discoveries. You can put together some fine evening attire by shopping at these stores. Once we parade through the campground, pictures are taken, there’s some creative dancing and a “little” alcohol is consumed. Things really got swinging at around 8:00 and by 9:00 most of us had gone to bed. There’s only so much energy you are allotted for the day. I must say that the experience was like a strange gypsy ball in the deep dark woods.