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Evergreen Endurance Coaching

Evergreen Endurance Coaching

Running, cycling, triathlon, duathlon, swimming, backcountry travel

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The High Divide: I came for the mountain views, but I stayed for the clouds and the sky. 🏔🌬🌫🌤 While it's hard to complain about running along a ridgeline in November, I can't help but worry about the relative lack of snow. I know all it takes is one big snowstorm, and then winter is here... it seems like it's about time for that storm. ❄❄❄ Trail conditions: There is some snow above 4800 ft, and I packed my winter kit just in case. But I barely needed traction and definitely no flotation. Icy creek crossings. Deepest snow was 12 inches, most of it 3-6 inches deep with a relatively firm crunchy crust.
Obstruction Point Road in Olympic National Park is an incredibly scenic gravel road through the high country, with sharp corners and steep drop-offs. It's heavily trafficked during the summer, full of vehicles kicking up dust and generally making it unpleasant (and some might say unsafe) for cyclists. This year they closed the road to motor vehicles in October, thanks to an early season snow-storm that left a couple of treacherous icy spots along the road. However, as of a couple weeks ago, it was still open to pedestrians and cyclists, and it's a gravel-grinding dream! No cars, minimal snow, and amazing views. There were a few icy stretches but you could easily walk around/over them. I also saw a fair amount of wildlife sign, including some cat scat, but that goes with the territory. If you're looking for gravel riding with a wilderness feel, this is it! At least for now...
I've been up the Barnes Creek drainage in Olympic National Park twice now, both times on literal treasure hunts. 💰🌟🎖💍 The first time I was looking for a silver token good for free entry into a race. Based on the clues provided, I was sure I'd find it approx 7 miles up Barnes Creek. I was totally wrong and didn't find the token (it was hidden at @sevenhillsrunning in Seattle!) But I did spend the afternoon running along a creek through old growth forest, so it still kinda felt like I won. The second time I went up Barnes Creek was earlier this week, on my way to Mt Storm King. A random guy in an FB hiking group posted saying that he'd dropped an engagement ring in a black box down the side of the mountain (whoops!). He was asking folks to keep an eye out. I'd been meaning to climb Storm King for awhile, so I decided to go looking for the ring. Unfortunately for him, once again I had an unsuccessful treasure hunt. No ring to be found. However, once again the consolation prize was pretty awesome: this view. Moral of the story: I'm bad at treasure hunts but good at finding nice views.🌲 ⛰ The end.
Yesterday was my birthday, and it was lovely. Dinner with family, read a good book, and highlight of the day: chaperoned my kiddo's field trip to the library and got to hold her warm little hand for almost an hour in the middle of the day! ❤ Today, I'm on a ferry headed to the Olympic Peninsula. I've got my running shoes, my bike, and a travel mug full of good coffee. I only have time for a day trip, but you better believe I'm gonna make the most of every minute of this glorious sunshiney day in the mountains!
Yesterday morning I woke up early and took the pups for a quick trip to Barclay Lake. I really love how a family-friendly trail only a few miles off Hwy 2 grants access to views like this. We carried Rowan here when she was just a babe, she walked here on her own as a small child, and now that she's a "big kid" maybe I can lure her back for an overnight with the promise of s'mores...🍫🤞🍫
I love mountain views as much as the next person (obv, see previous post). But there is something about sunrise through the trees. I just finished reading The Overstory, so maybe that explains my extra appreciation for the mossy forest this morning. Speaking of, it's a good book. You should read it. It got a little woo-woo for me in parts, but it also makes some really important points. And, I learned a new fun fact: "If you carved your name four feet high in the bark of a beech tree, how high would it be after half a century? She loves the answer to that last one. Four feet. Still four feet. Always four feet, however high the beech tree grows. She'll love that answer still, half a century later." - Richard Powers, The Overstory
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