cycling the Great American Rail-Trail

July 10, 2019 – day 8.

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12-13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | info | video

This trip was inspired by the newly announced Great American Rail-Trail, Washington State to Washington D.C.

I reached it after a week on the bike.

The HIGHLIGHT was cycling through a mountain – Snoqualmie Tunnel.

When I entered I had no idea how long it was. And I was surprised to find it 11,894 feet (2.253 mi; 3.625 km) .

That was the end of a long day, however.

A very rainy day.

Up, up, up … but at a grade of less than 2%.

My first problem was navigating my way out of greater Seattle.

Of course I tried to stay on dedicated cycling paths like the Issaquah-Preston trail.

I considered hiking today but the rain kept me pedalling.

Twice it rained hard enough to make me find shelter.

I was forced on to the I-90 freeway at times getting to Rattlesnake Lake, the western terminus of the Great American Rail-Trail.

Stage 1 is called the Iron Horse Trail.

And here I am at the start on my Iron Horse.

Despite the rain I loved the Iron Horse. Up into the mountains over a series of very cool railway trestles.

Conveniently there is a series of backcountry campsites along the way. I had the tent set up by about 8pm and slept well.

Finally, … mushrooms.

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12-13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |info | video