Mike's Bike and Hike

Video Hike Report #5: August 24
McClellan Butte
South Cascades, Washington
9 miles, 3700' elevation gain

There certainly would've been easier ways to put 9 miles behind me, but I set out for a challenge on this day, and was not disappointed. I arrived at the lower trailhead early and met three Australian trekkers at the bottom, who thanked me in advance for clearing the overnight cobwebs off the trail as I set out quickly ahead of them. Cobwebs. Ok, so there's at least one bad thing about being first one up.

The early hike was largely uneventful, but pleasant. I took a brief side-trip to Alice Creek, where my son and I had camped a few years ago during a 100-mile bike adventure on the Iron Horse Trail. I was amazed how much the landscape had changed over the years due to surging spring waters from the creek.

The trail eventually began switchbacking relentlessly, one steep turn after another, until I rounded a small corner to the amazing sight of Mt. Rainier in the distance. Buoyed by the views, I continued to the mountain ridge and literally gasped at the 360-degree miracles. "No way, no way is this real." I remember saying out loud in pure wonder.

I saw the summit, and then the vast, rocky exposure I would have to cross (alone) to reach it. I was not prepared for this. I waited too long at the base of the scramble... looking alternately up at the knife-edge peak, then down a thousand unprotected feet to the unknown. I made a half-hearted attempt, scrambling up about 50 feet until the pitch steepened. I looked down, and said out loud, "not today."

I'll be back, McClellan Butte!

Labels: Hike-A-Thon, Hiking

Hike Report #4: August 17
Rattlesnake Ledge
South Cascades, Washington
4 miles, 1200' elevation gain



Getting away from it all - the noise, the crowds, the city - is probably near the top of most folks' lists of reasons to hike. But there are a few can't-miss trails close to Seattle which reward a hiker's tolerance of "the masses." Rattlesnake Ledge is one of those, and it certainly was crowded on this warm summer day!

Joshy, Lisa, Polly, and I almost stayed home as the forecast called for afternoon lightning. Yikes! But we decided to take a chance and make a game-time decision at the trailhead. It turned out to be beautiful weather, and we set off with several hundred of our closest friends for the cliff-tops.

The hike was steady and the slope actually somewhat challenging at times. At 2 miles, we crested a rock ridge and the view opened up spectacularly to the valley and Rattlesnake Lake below. We enjoyed a snack of peanuts and sunflower seeds (very gourmet, I know) and Polly enjoyed a couple good belly rubs from strangers. I always marvel at the fearless "mountain chipmunks" up there who disappear over the sheer rock face and then reappear from below in a different spot seconds later.

It was a great afternoon in the hills with my loved ones (and a bunch of other people)!

Labels: Hike-A-Thon, Hiking

Video Hike Report #3: August 16
Lake Annette
South Cascades, Washington
8 miles, 1700' elevation gain

Labels: Hike-A-Thon, Hiking

Hike Report #2: August 10
Tillamook Head
Seaside, Oregon
4.2 miles, 1000' elevation gain

"I behold the grandest and most pleasing prospect which my eyes ever surveyed.
- Capt. William Clark



Ok, so maybe the fog obscured for us Clark's "grandest and most pleasing prospect". And maybe a hike in Oregon isn't exactly in the spirit of a Hike-A-Thon to benefit Washington trails. But hey, Lisa and I had been planning this trip for awhile, and I was excited to relive one of my favorite childhood ambles.

The hike starts from a trailhead just a short distance from the cove in Seaside, Oregon (see Lisa's blog for more photos of our trip). It starts relatively steeply, but eventually levels out to a nice, walkable pitch. We marvelled at the giant old trees... some standing proud, others laying flat on the ground, succumbing to nature's slow recycling process.

We reached the summit fairly quickly, and peered over a ledge to an eerie sight of trees emerging from the fog... their trunks some unknowable distance below us. Although we couldn't see the ocean, the sound of it rolling in the distance was a good indicator of the height we'd reached. I had packed a couple sammiches, which had become thoroughly flattened and bordered on inedible. But Lisa was a good sport (as always), and we chomped away. On the hike down, we were amazed at how little of the landscape we recognized. Things really do look different on the way down!

There are reasons I like to hike alone, but many more reasons why I enjoy doing it with family. Lisa and I had so much fun on this trail, alternating between serious "parental" conversations about our kids, to singing and joking and laughing. You don't get that at home in front of the tv.

It's not too late to sponsor my attempt to hike 50 miles in August in support of Washington Trails Association. Thanks in advance for your support!

Labels: Hike-A-Thon, Hiking

Remember learning to ride a bike? Sure, we all do. You weebled, you wobbled, and you fell down. Somebody told you to get back on and try again, so you did. Before long, the asphalt was disappearing beneath your feet, and the streets of your small town belonged only to you.

My own introduction to the way of the bike went like this... a less-than-ceremonial briefing ("Put your feet here and pedal") was followed by a firm shove down Breckenridge Street. And even though I was brought down quickly by a parked car, somebody has to be the one to give that first push. Thanks, Dad... I'll be pushing you now.

And thanks, Lisa (my amazing wife) for giving me the same kind of prodding, some 30 years later. See, I thought I knew how to ride a bike. Turns out, I don't know 'cross and I've been hitting the figurative parked car for about a week now. Lisa bought me a 2-hour skills class, and I subsequently discovered that I don't have skills. I practiced dismounts and run-ups in the park tonight, and was reminded that old guys learn slower. Often painfully slower.

But the little successes have given me the same ecstatic feeling I had when I was six... when the pedals first felt natural, and I could just ride. I heart cyclocross (and someday I might be able to do it without crashing).

Labels: Cycling

Hey, buddy. Yes... you! Please sponsor my attempt to hike 50 miles in August in support of Washington Trails Association. Please be like Kate, our friend and first (ahem, only) sponsor. Thanks so much, Kate - you rock! Ok, moving on to...

Hike Report #1: August 2
Mount Townsend
Olympic National Forest
8 miles, 2800' elevation gain



When the Hahn boys converge on Olympic National Forest, one might expect beautiful scenery and good conversation. One might also expect a non-stop barrage of smart-ass comments at one another’s expense. Check, check, and check.

Out of the gate, Joshy and I nearly missed the 8:40 Kingston ferry. As we drove toward the boat, the Safety-vested One seemed to take great pleasure in stopping us just before the ramp, but redeemed himself a minute later. "Must be your lucky day," he said, waving us forward. Lucky indeed... last car on.

We met up with Dad and Uncle Josh in Quilcene and carpooled to the trailhead, which was set 11 miles back from the highway on the kind of beautiful, twisty, single-lane road that makes one wish (ok, so I wished out loud) that he could bomb the hill on a bike.

We hit the trail just before 11am... off into the lush rainforest. The trail was soft as new carpet under our feet, and the anticipation pushed us forward at a pretty decent clip. At 2 miles, we rose out of the canopy to incredible views. The hillsides were blanketed with wildflowers, which dotted the landscape almost to the summit. A waterfall appeared in the distance, tumbling several hundred feet straight down to the forest floor.

Then clouds rolled in. Slowly at first, but as we gained elevation the fog became so thick that we could only guess at the views we were missing. No matter, we deemed Mount Townsend a "do-over" and we’ll be back someday when it’s sunny! We reached the top and climbed a small ridge to the highest point (it's a given that you have to get to the highest point, right?).

Joshy and I dined on peanut butter and jelly sammiches, the uhhhh... "culinary complexity" of which was difficult to chew at first. It was quickly getting cold and was definitely time to head down. As always seems to be the case, down seemed to take eons longer than up, and we were all thoroughly cooked by the time we hit the trailhead again.

What a great way to kick off the August hikes! I was reminded of so many reasons why these trails are important to me; quiet peace and change of pace. Risk, reward. And family brought together, working toward a single goal. These things don't happen every day!

Labels: Hike-A-Thon, Hiking