PACIFIC NORTHWEST INNER LOOP (continued, page 3)

Dining well, I looked for the Everett library, but it was closed. This was my last night.

Waking at 4 a.m., Friday, I checked out of my motel, and got my morning diet cola drink. Taking I-405 to I-90, I was of the mind to try Mt. Si (4,167'), with a challenging trail to a class 2-3 rock highpoint. It was forecast today to be 93 degrees in North Bend, WA, a town at the bottom of the peak. There is over 3,000' gain, and while it was cool at 6 in the morning, I then resolved to do it at a later time. I wished to see the trans-Cascade highways, so I cruised east on Interstate 90. It crosses Snoqualmie Pass (3,022'). I figured on making it to Bend, OR, where I lodged inexpensively a few years back. More views were had along Interstate 82.

Stopping to see Yakima, WA, I enjoyed a nice, classic breakfast, of links, eggs, hash browns, and toast, with coffee, at a 50's style diner. I was in no rush. Taking U.S. 97 south, I crossed the Columbia River at Biggs, OR, and noted the heat. I used my A/C much of the time, as it is warmer, east of the Cascades. I had stopped at some highway vista points for photos, with high jagged peaks, or snowy volcanoes, in the distance.

Many people live in Redmond, and Bend, OR. Traffic was heavy. I declined to stop to hike Pilot Butte (4,138') 4X, and then thought to lodge in Klamath Falls, OR.

Motoring up into the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, I drove the 4.5 mile gravel road to the top of Paulina Peak. This has good views of the Sisters, and the lake-filled caldera. It was white sky, again, with some drops of rain falling. This made it cooler, as someone on the radio bet it would reach 103 (he lost). I stayed awhile, chatting with some USFS personnel, then it was time to leave.

Headed south on U.S. 97, traffic was lighter. I paid higher prices for gas, to get me to a cheaper station ahead. The highway goes around Klamath Falls, as it does for Bend, now, so I didn't get a close look at these scenic towns. I got a bit more gas to get me to Weed, CA. The sight of Mt. Shasta from the U.S. 97 vista point was nice, with clouds and diffuse light. I wanted to wait for the sunset, but I had to get home. From Weed, it is only some four hours drive to home.

I did a quick stop to capture the setting sun, then saw the alpenglow on Shasta. A marvelous end to this road trip and photo shoot!

Having a quick, grilled chicken sandwich in Redding, I weaved about the big rigs at 70 mph, and suffered from the long, bumpy ride. Home at 1 a.m., I unloaded my gear, and would work on my website post the next day. I was shocked to see that many days ahead were to have highs of over 100. I was gone over several days of continuous, 100+! This day, it was to get to 112!

I have a nicer place, now, with better air, so I'll work on my computer, indoors, and see if anyone wishes to further escape the heat wave with a High Sierra trip.

I hiked roughly 17 miles, with 4,000' gain, total. I shot 1,375 images, and drove 2,480 miles. I came close to my old record for my most miles driven in one day, with 864 miles from Everett to home via U.S. 97, with side trips. Spending $239 for lodging, I used $315 cash. Using some 63 gallons of regular, this gave me an average fuel efficiency of 39.5 mpg. In Portland, I purchased fuel at 2.829 (I saw gas at 2.799), and 3.359 in Macdoel, CA.

Wearing my shorts and T-shirt at all times, I used only a second, light layer, at most. I bring along tons of spare clothes, but most were usually unused.

They said there were to be near record highs for the Northwest on Friday. I also heard that the wildflowers were said to be at peak. Most of my time up there saw highs in the 70's, quite pleasant. I was never cold.

Usually sleeping well at the motels, I enjoyed this mainly road trip. But with only two or three peaks, with two of them drive-ups, it was a disaster for exercise, and my peaks count. I lost no weight as I hoped, but never suffered any scratch or injury. No problem with my car.

Seeking now to have a cheaper, rest-of-summer, I'll now plan for another, modest, road trip, for the fall. Hells Canyon strikes a bell, with me. It is too hot, there, this time of year, so maybe I'll do that in late September. Also, hopefully, I'll share a ride with some of the hikers who have contacted me, and we can do some local peaks.

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