Thursday Aug 9th Update:
Yes the maps are posted below, easy to find, find parking in Granite Falls, BIke up the Mtn Loop Highway, Take the Road to Monte Cristo at Barlow Pass, traverse the mudslide and ford the river. I will update this as people chime in.
Friday Departure:
Ro (West Seattle, 11:00am): (1 empty)
Andre(West Seattle, 4:30): MikeOD, Ben, Lee (full)
Saturday Departure: 8:30 am Meet at Dicks on 45th in Wallingford
Lucia: Kalen (full)
Derrick: Laura, Joe (full)
Get your camping/touring stuff together cause it's time for some ghost town camping in 2-weeks.
Plan will be to carpool with bikes and gear to Granite Falls, find relatively secure parking and bike up the Mtn Loop Highway to Barlow Pass then turn off to the mining ghost town of Monte Cristo. The route is about 34 miles, climbing about 2300', the last 4 miles or so are gravel roads and possibly some small stream crossings.
I want to get an early start, on the order of a 8am meet up in Seattle so we can be up to MC by lunch and then do some exploring by foot.
There will be no sag wagon, this means you haul your own gear or find someone to pay to porteur it for you. Make sure you have at a minimum:
Bike
Panniers or Pack
Tube and Patch kit
Sleeping Shelter, Bag & Pad
Proper Clothing
Mess kit
Beverages
Food: Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast & Snacks
There may be a small picnic shelter where it is safe to have a small cooking fire. So we might be able to do a simple hot dinner of veggie/hot dog and beans or something else simple were we can split the cost and load. We can work out sharing some communal items like the following.
Water Filter
Dinner?
Coffee (press AND grounds)
Stoves
Tent Space
Transport to Granite Falls
So what I need to hear is:
- "Hell yeah I'm in"
- If you have a vehicle and how many people/bikes you can haul
- Dinner ideas
Last edited by joeball on Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:20 am; edited 5 times in total
henry
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:01 am
somewhat piggishJoined: 05 Aug 2005Posts: 5415Location: on porch with shotgun
I'm in, but I do need to check with my keeper to see if i'll be allowed out of the kennel.
If i borrow my dad's truck i can carry many bikes and four people including myself, if i borrow my mom's subaru I can carry four bikes and five people.
_________________ "We'd rather Bike4Peace than kill for oil!" bike4peace.org
rlotz
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:00 pm
Joined: 23 Jan 2006Posts: 311Location: Capitol Hill
One week later is Tour de Fat. I want to do both. Aug 4-5th works for me.
joeball
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:40 am
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 6037Location: Ether
I am open to and may be leaning towards delaying this by a week. That would be the 11th and 12th.
Any more takers?
Does any one have a connection with a place to park some vehicles in the Snohomish/Monroe/Granite Falls vicinity?
langston
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:47 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 5547Location: Columbia City
joeball wrote:
Does any one have a connection with a place to park some vehicles in the Snohomish/Monroe/Granite Falls vicinity?
You can park in the Catholic Church in old-town Monroe, with no problems for a day or three. Its...uh... right by the elementary school, a few blocks east of Main. I used to live across the street as a kid.
n_claw
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:49 am
Joined: 02 Jul 2007Posts: 517Location: the only hill: Beacon
i'm far more interested in the 11th/12th, myself, but i'll probably ride out to Everett the night before and meet you all at the startpoint in the morning.
there is of course the le bus option, as well, tho it's limited capacity and a pain in the ass.
keep us posted as to what you decide.[/i]
Joe
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:50 am
Joined: 15 Feb 2007Posts: 430
joeball wrote:
I am open to and may be leaning towards delaying this by a week. That would be the 11th and 12th.
Any more takers?
Me, obviously.
Lutella
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:24 am
Joined: 20 Mar 2007Posts: 206Location: all dressed in yella
joeball wrote:
I am open to and may be leaning towards delaying this by a week. That would be the 11th and 12th.
Any more takers?
Me! I am getting the new bike set up for adventures.
derrickito
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:47 am
now with 50 percent more EVILJoined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 10566
11th and 12th im in
ro
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:49 am
Joined: 29 Jun 2007Posts: 317
I am open for the Aug 11 and 12. We may be able to park at the Verlot ranger station also. I have a small pickup with a rack on top for one bike and maybe two in the back under the canopy.
I have climbed quite a lot in the region and know some non technical routes up Del campo in Gothic Basin(I have heard the trail has been destroyed to Gothic Basin). The trail from the campground at Monte Cristo goes up to twin lakes or the other way goes up to a pass that takes you to Blanca Lake. All very pretty but some areas I know I have had to use ice axe and crampons.
langston
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:15 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 5547Location: Columbia City
ro wrote:
ome non technical routes up Del campo in Gothic Basin(I have heard the trail has been destroyed to Gothic Basin). The trail from the campground at Monte Cristo goes up to twin lakes or the other way goes up to a pass that takes you to Blanca Lake. All very pretty but some areas I know I have had to use ice axe and crampons.
I also have done extensive hiking and foraging in this area and can help with routes. I'm looking into arrangements that would allow me to participate in this, perhaps a BOB and a new cassette with more hill-friendly gears? My current 11-23 would kill me.
Also, I'm only able to go if we do the 10-11-12 weekend.
Last edited by langston on Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:40 am; edited 2 times in total
PJ Diddy
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:35 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 567Location: magnolia
I would like to go. I just have a lot of supplies to get before I do go on such an adventure unsupported. I do have a truck now that can haul probably 10 bikes, room for 5 comfortably. So this a tentative yes. I would rather not mis the tour 'de fat. But trying to wake up early after a DB party doesn't really sound to fun.
_________________ "They better stop cause I'm NOT!" Paul
the dreaded ben
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:45 am
Grumpy GreebJoined: 20 Aug 2005Posts: 5329Location: flavor country
ro wrote:
I have climbed quite a lot in the region and know some non technical routes up Del campo in Gothic Basin(I have heard the trail has been destroyed to Gothic Basin). The trail from the campground at Monte Cristo goes up to twin lakes or the other way goes up to a pass that takes you to Blanca Lake. All very pretty but some areas I know I have had to use ice axe and crampons.
i love this man.
i'm still voting leaving friday evening so we can have saturday to fuck about.
i should have a trailer by then. either yakima big tow, bob, or the burley nomad. any insight? i really like the burley nomad, but am i gonna be fucked with two wheels?
lantius
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:31 am
1337Joined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 6705Location: right over
10/11/12th works for me, while 3rd/4th/5th does not.
the dreaded ben
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:37 am
Grumpy GreebJoined: 20 Aug 2005Posts: 5329Location: flavor country
you 10/11/12 people are buttholes.
maybe i will do it both weekends. so there.
Joe
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:51 am
Joined: 15 Feb 2007Posts: 430
the dreaded ben wrote:
i should have a trailer by then. either yakima big tow, bob, or the burley nomad. any insight? i really like the burley nomad, but am i gonna be fucked with two wheels?
Never having used anything but, I can strongly recommend the nomad. It does give you a slightly wider posterior, obviously, so you have to be mindful of that in tight places. It's my guess that any rolling resistance disadvantages to having two extra wheels instead of one are offset by the fact that the nomad transfers very little of its cargo weight to your frame, so your bike handles pretty much as normal, only you just feel like you're pulling a bunch of shit, which probably happens with any trailer.
the dreaded ben
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:58 am
Grumpy GreebJoined: 20 Aug 2005Posts: 5329Location: flavor country
has anyone seen a burley nomad stocked somewhere locally?
and the obvious downfall to the burley is that fucking blue and yellow. the whores.
langston
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:13 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 5547Location: Columbia City
the dreaded ben wrote:
i should have a trailer by then. either yakima big tow, bob, or the burley nomad. any insight? i really like the burley nomad, but am i gonna be fucked with two wheels?
I've take the bob to Astoria. It handled really nicely. I wanted for a trailer-brake coming down some steep hills but if I had my own I think it would be pretty easy to mod.
Joe
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:13 pm
Joined: 15 Feb 2007Posts: 430
the dreaded ben wrote:
has anyone seen a burley nomad stocked somewhere locally?
and the obvious downfall to the burley is that fucking blue and yellow. the whores.
Recycled has them. Gregg's (I know, I know) does as well. You might want to call ahead, though.
RevJesterCard
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 1:09 pm
Joined: 12 May 2006Posts: 44Location: Greenlake
I think i might like to join Nova on this one. Either weekend works for me however.
_________________ "We'd rather Bike4Peace than kill for oil!" bike4peace.org
TrikerTrev
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 1:54 pm
Joined: 23 Oct 2006Posts: 2303Location: FOCO, MOFO!!!
the dreaded ben wrote:
has anyone seen a burley nomad stocked somewhere locally?
and the obvious downfall to the burley is that fucking blue and yellow. the whores.
is there any color you DONT hate?
_________________ Insufferable ass, est. 1969
rlotz
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:28 pm
Joined: 23 Jan 2006Posts: 311Location: Capitol Hill
the dreaded ben wrote:
i should have a trailer by then. either yakima big tow, bob, or the burley nomad. any insight? i really like the burley nomad, but am i gonna be fucked with two wheels?
Alex wrote up his experience with a bob trailer: http://phred.org/~alex/bikes/bobcoz.html. From what I've read, the only advantage 1 wheel has is when used down single track where a 2 wheeler would be too wide. Otherwise 2 wheels don't fight you when climbing, and don't flop over when trying to load them.
RossBleakney
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:32 pm
Joined: 24 Jul 2007Posts: 1
The Monte Cristo road was thrashed by last year's storm (along with many other roads and trails). You can probably get to Monte Cristo fine, but it won't be as easy as in years past. You may not be able to get to the townsite (the old bridge is gone) but that depends on the water level. Either way, it is a gorgeous area, so that shouldn't stop you.
For biker/hikers, last years storm actually offers up a lot of new opportunity this year, if the road isn't too much of a problem. For example, the Index road is washed out about five miles before the West Cady Creek trailhead (1.3 miles before the Blanca Lake trailhead). I hiked up to Blanca Lake earlier this year and noticed just one bad spot to cross. This was assuming you came in via Skykomish (which starts as a nice paved road and then becomes a long smooth gravel road). I'm not sure how easy it would be to bike in from Index (might require steep bushwacking with a bike). If any of you are curious, you might want to ask the folks at nwhikers.net or check the wta web site. There is a nice listing of trail damage here: http://traildamage.wta.org/
As for me, I can't make it (I'm going out of town for three weeks). Have fun!
the dreaded ben
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:05 pm
Grumpy GreebJoined: 20 Aug 2005Posts: 5329Location: flavor country
i would like to say both, "thank you alex" and "man, you're a freak."
joeball
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:14 pm
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 6037Location: Ether
Andre +2
Ben
Derrick
Evan
Henry
Joe
Langston (?)
Lee
Lutia (sp?)
PJ Diddy
Ro
R Lotz
Rev
n_claw who are you?
How many people are interested in leaving early on Friday-bike-camp- Saturday - Hike Camp - Sunday - pack up ride back?
Parking at Verlot Ranger station would cut off a fair part of the scenic ride which is my only strike against it. I don't know what attendance at the Monroe Catholic Church is like but I hear Church parking lots fill up quick on Sunday mornings. Still to be decided, in part by the number of vehicles going.
Yes trail damage is a reality but we shall persevere.
Ben come the 11th and 12th, On the 4th we can do snoqualmie pass while the girls are away. That way the camping gear is back too.
derrickito
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:23 pm
now with 50 percent more EVILJoined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 10566
i can leave extra extra early on saturday, or late on friday. but im leashed to a 9-5er that i cant skip out on :(
rlotz
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:28 pm
Joined: 23 Jan 2006Posts: 311Location: Capitol Hill
Riding on the 11th means no Tour de Fat. I've also got a friends 30th birthday that day. I also can't leave until Saturday morning.
i'm now a maybe.
MikeOD
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:34 pm
Joined: 04 Feb 2006Posts: 545
My August plans are still up in the air but this sounds like a lot of fun so I'll try to make it work. So I'm a "probably". If I can make it, 2 nights camping sounds good.
RevJesterCard
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:40 pm
Joined: 12 May 2006Posts: 44Location: Greenlake
I know Nova (n claw)has a 9-5 as well and couldn't leave until late Friday. I'm up for earlier.
_________________ "We'd rather Bike4Peace than kill for oil!" bike4peace.org
Lutella
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:41 pm
Joined: 20 Mar 2007Posts: 206Location: all dressed in yella
I am Lucia!
I need to stay in town on Friday night (2 friends with birthdays), but I can leave early on Saturday. My car will fit one other bike & person.
joeball
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:46 pm
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 6037Location: Ether
Lutella wrote:
I am Lucia!
Sorry, that whole huked on fonix spelling thing, my first guess was Lousha. Welcome to the LHT club.
Joined: 10 Apr 2007Posts: 342Location: Olympia, on the farm
Here's another 9-5 that's excited for an early Saturday start. I love me some bike camping. And am I the only one who's touring rig isn't a LHT?
n_claw
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:32 am
Joined: 02 Jul 2007Posts: 517Location: the only hill: Beacon
kalen wrote:
Here's another 9-5 that's excited for an early Saturday start. I love me some bike camping. And am I the only one who's touring rig isn't a LHT?
yay! nah, my touring rig (and only rig just now) is a lil Shogun from way-back-when that I've been fixing up. probly put on slightly thicker tires for the ride, tho.
ro
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:35 am
Joined: 29 Jun 2007Posts: 317
I would like to leave on Friday(Aug 10) to have the whole day to hike and climb on Sat. Anybody interested on going up early? Anybody taking a ice axe for some steep snow play? Strap it on the rack like the old Swiss Bike/Mountaineer.
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