Day 12: Eagle Cliffs Campground

Woke up to a forecast of 50% chance of showers for the day. As we ate breakfast it started sprinkling and we decided to dress up in our rain gear from head to toe to stay dry. We rode into Randle to do some grocery shopping which was a similar ride to the end of yesterday, except today with no headwinds we averaged 12.5mph, it made short work of the 8 miles to town.

Leaving Randle we got off of Highway 12 and on to forest road 25 which meant a significant reduction in traffic. Still raining we crossed what seemed like an invisible line between farm land and rain forest. One second we’re looking at some cows the next it was densely packed forest with ferns lining the banks of the road. We quickly started overheating and venting our rain gear as much as possible, then we got to the top of the climb which had a new winner for the “ugliest lake” award being completely covered in green algae.

Then came the downhill where we started freezing and had to zip up everything, put on new layers. This became a pretty come occurrence today, vent/undress, closes vents/redress. Since we were climbing Elk Pass today, and it was rainy, our views consisted mainly of pine trees fading into gray clouds, rather uninspiring. We ground our way up the hill and took advantage of a break in the rain for lunch at an overlook with a view of a giant land slide running under a newer looking bridge.

After the timely lunch the rain picked up again and we donned our waterproof gloves. Unfortunately cycling in rain is a losing game, the same clothing that keeps you “dry” from the rain also can’t handle the exertion required to climb a hill so you end up soaking yourself in sweat. Anyways we finally crested Elk’s Pass with no sign or celebration, other than putting on more gear to handle the then 42F temperatures, with light rain, and going downhill 20-30mph. Not sure what that wind chill works out to but it was cold. Additionally this forest service road seems to be sliding down the mountain with giant cracks and depressions in places making the going interesting as you are being pelted with high speed rain drops. Hmmm.. not exactly selling this whole touring in rain thing are we?

We coasted down to Clearwater Viewpoint which is overlooking a valley where Mt. Saint Helens blew in to in 1980. The forest service divided the valley into 100 different experiments for replanting / re-growing and have learned a lot from the whole deal. It was nicely visible from the view, unfortunately the volcano itself was shrouded in rain clouds.

Continuing down the mountain a car pulled up beside us with two young ladies who asked if they could ask a question. We paused, and for the second day in row, tried to use our maps to get people where they wanted to go since their phones had no service. They were looking for a campground off Forest Road 90, but we were currently on FR 25, and they didn’t even realize they left the 90. Pam and I got a good chuckle at that after we sent them on their way.

The last 6 miles of the descent were very fast with 30mph rain drops pelting our faces as we exceeded the speed limit going around many turns. Finally we made it to the bottom and some flatter land through a nature area where we saw two elk, and two deer. Then a short distance later we made it into Eagle Cliffs which has a store and campground. While looking for a site we saw another cyclist who is heading North but we grouped up in one campsite and shared the cost. The rain is finally stopping and now we are just left with all the pine trees dripping on everything to sing us to sleep. Oh and about a dozen motorcyclists pulled in and appear to be having a good ole get together, hopefully it dies down and we can get some quiet sleep. Oregon tomorrow!

Distance: 54.76

Average: 9.0

Max: 30.0

Climb: 4272ft

Time: 6:01:40

Rainy with clouds hugging the trees

Beautiful forest made even more magical with sprinkling rain

Ugliest Lake Award winner

We though it was a stick on the road, turns out to be a newt? salamander? 

A river we crossed?

Pam modeling the Shower's Pass rain gear

Like a chia pet!

Lunch break, most of which we pondered what this mess sounded like when it was happening

Iron Creek falls, a short hike off the road, amazing!

Iron Creek Falls