I'll Pass : the Heat Test

Coming into the last part of the trip, it was time to climb!  We would traverse 5 passes in four days:
Sherman Pass - 5575 ft
Wacounda Pass - 4310 ft
Loup Loup Pass - 4020 ft
Washington Pass - 5477 ft
Rainy Pass - 4855 ft

7.29 - Republic, WA - 95 miles
When I pictured riding in Washington, I guess I assumed that the whole state would have a Seattle climate - slightly overcast and somewhat cool. I was wrong for sure!  Our climbing days were some of the hottest and driest of the trip - with an especially arduous climb up Sherman's Pass in 103 degree weather.  Wow!  Several of us had problems with the extreme heat and climbing was slow for sure. On the plus side, a 20 mile climb was rewarded with an 18 mile descent - not bad for a day's work!

7.30 - Tonasket, WA - 65
After a blistering climb up Sherman's Pass the previous day, we were happy to club Wacounda Pass first thing in the morning. It felt great...and after a fun descent, we were done by noon. Coasting into Tonasket we saw signs for camp in a city park....with a pool!  Sadly, when we got to the pool, it was empty.  It was over 100 that day, so we searched for an alternate pool.  Even though there was no other option, we did find out that Jack Black, the actor, was helping to fundraise for a water park in Tonasket (so random) - because he was from this little town.   We spent most of our afternoon at Shannon's cafe - such an amazing place with bottomless lemonade, yummy ice cream and a huge tree shading the outside deck.
We also found out that there was a fire camp in Tonasket.  Due to all the fires in Washington, fireman would stay in these camps while they were running shifts to fight fires.  Many of the fireman came into Shannon'a for meals.  I admire these folks for doing such a dangerous and important job.

7.31 - Winthrop, WA - 70.5
On the way to Loup Loup Pass, we passed through Kettle Falls, a town with a great welcome sign.

Going up Loup Loup, it was another scorcher of a day.  We were also reminded of the fires throughout the state and the gratitude of the locals for the presence of the brave firefighters.

Descending after Loup Loup into Twisp, we encountered the devastation of the wild fires up close. The road that we travelled on had recently been reopened.  As we passed through the charred Forrest, it appeared that there were parts that were still smoldering.  There were crews working in the area to repair damage.

8.1 - Diablo, WA - 67
The climb to Washington Pass was gorgeous!  As we ascended, the road opened up to amazing views.

After out Washington Pass rest stop, we had a smaller climb to Rainy Pass...and then an epic descent into Diablo lake.

3 of our strongest guy riders were hailing down the incline and when I passed them at a high rate of speed -  the look on their faces was priceless!   Two of them would catch up and pass me just before we arrived at camp....that descent was so much fun!

That night, a few if us took a chilling dip into the glacier lake of Diablo.

Our campsite was amazing - several tent sites stacked up through the trees. We played hearts and drank wine - one of our favorite traditions as we neared to the end of this amazing journey.  Only 3 days until the Pacific!