Day 67

Oatmeal for breky. Took us a while to get everyone's rig all set up, but we did it, and the long climb up the mountains began. Today was the day of the last pass and a half before the Pacific- Washington pass being the most formidable, and Rainy pass being a second one thrown in the deal almost for free (a little dip down and up of only 400 feet). Two passes for the price of one!

We had only gone 30 yards before Liam found a flat... Undeterred, we fixed it and set our sights on Newhalem.

Up we chugged. Respect to Lluc and Evan riding up that sucker on 10 speeds.

It was hot. Shirts came off. Happy for the smoke though, as it probably would be a lot hotter without it.

Liam's bike decided to have another flat. Guess that patch didn't work...

The closer we came, the climb became more epic, and the smoke thinned. Up and over was name of the game.

Around one very sharp switchback and the valley we had just conquered came into view.

Smiles all around. It had only taken us an hour.

Apparently neither the view nor his book were enough to keep Ian awake as he waited for us on top.

A motley crew, but the Tour du Finley continues.

Pink spray paint encouraged us the whole way up. The work of some thoughtful bikers, no doubt.

Over the hump and an exhilarating downhill between snowcapped peaks. Certainly on par with the Sun Road through Glacier.

Up the other side and on to Rainy Pass.

Stopped for a picnic on top. From there it was 12 miles downhill. Too much fun.

A steep winding gorge alongside the bubling Granite creek. And down into the smoke again...

After a while the stream looked so nice we had to stop and go for a swim.

Right south of where Panther creek meets Ruby Creek.

Nothing can wake you right up like bitterly cold snowmelt.

The rest of the day went high along the hills above Ross and Diablo lake. They looked like Shun Dynasty paintings in the haze.

A little farther past Diablo Dam and Gorge Dam, and we found ourselves in Newhalem. A power station and ranger station. Read on a sign that there was an electric light show at the falls behind the station. Couldn't miss that! We planned to return at dark.

We found camp, realizing as I rode in I had stayed here before. Got a call from my other buddies and soon another van full of friends was parked next to us and the full welcoming committee was assembled!

Dinner of orange chicken salad. So happy to be among familiar faces in familiar forest. Catching up on this and that, and telling stories from the trip. Night came and we ventured to the falls to see what we could see. We were not disappointed.

A splendid end to a splendid day.