preRA: Snows in Washington
The group remains in a state of conditioning and planning. Gary, Frank, Jesse, Jack and I continue to ride around town loaded down with tent and sleeping bag, or in Jack’s case, blocks of wood.
Frank has learned that our intended route on the North Cascades Highway SR20 is currently closed due to heavy snow this year. This affects about 35 miles of our planned passage between Newhalem and Mazama. Washington DOT crews started clearing the snow on April 11, but the projected opening date will be right around the time we’ll be there, i.e. early June.
Possible contingency is to start from Astoria, OR and take the Lewis & Clark Trail all the way to Williston, ND, which has less elevation. Current plan is to call the North Cascades National Park for information about 2 weeks before we leave. We’re hoping that even if the road is closed to motor traffic, it might be passable by bicycle.
This weather only adds to my anxiety of what to bring. I am debating on bringing an emergency thermal cover or not. Well we can only hope for the best and keep practicing.
Know what you mean – I’ve been thinking about this, too, having never bicycle-camped in the 30s or lower before. Perhaps, say, 2 thin base layer shirts (nylon/spandex blend) plus wool socks, plus sleeping bag would be warm enough in most conditions we’ll face. Option to add in Polartec (lightly fleeced) rain pants, gloves, skull cap, all of which will be carried anyway.