 |
| View towards the three sisters |
I left the Motel early and was very glad that the sky towards McKenzie Pass still was partly cleared up. It was a chilly morning and I was hoping to stay dry until I will have reached the crest.
 |
| I like this! |
 |
| ...and this.... |
The road to the top of the Pass is very biker friendly signed - it was a delight riding it!
 |
| ....my uphill route... |
 |
| ....many switch backs... |
The climb towards McKenzie Pass was unexpectedly wonderful - one of the most beautiful climbs I have ever done,
 |
| ....almost on the top... |
At the summit
of the pass, Oregon Route 242 crosses a 65-square-mile (170 km2)
lava flow just west of three Sisters. Surrounded by lava, the Dee Wright Observatory was constructed in 1935 by Civilian Conservation Corps workers and named after their
foreman. Visitors climb to the observatory to view the Cascade peaks visible from McKenzie Pass.
 |
....my wet, cold and foggy
downhill.... |
Unfortunately not for me today, as it started
raining, almost snowing, upon my arrival to the summit. I put some warm cloths
and my raining gears on as I was expecting a long and cold descent from 5’000ft
back down to 1’000ft. It was impressive how fast the weather had changed – it was
pouring, almost snowing, cold and very unpleasant. I hoped for a clear up
further down at 2’000ft as I was shivering and feeling quite uncomfortable. In
those moments I just relied on my riding experience, as I encountered similar
situations back in Switzerland too.
 |
| ....on my way to Eugene... |
 |
| ...it finally cleared up.... |
And finally, at the junction towards Eugene,
it suddenly cleared up and the sunrays warmed me up quickly.
I left the Motel early and was very glad that the sky towards McKenzie Pass still was partly cleared up. It was a chilly morning and I was hoping to stay dry until I will have reached the crest.
At the summit
of the pass, Oregon Route 242 crosses a 65-square-mile (170 km2)
lava flow just west of three Sisters. Surrounded by lava, the Dee Wright Observatory was constructed in 1935 by Civilian Conservation Corps workers and named after their
foreman. Visitors climb to the observatory to view the Cascade peaks visible from McKenzie Pass. 
Unfortunately not for me today, as it started
raining, almost snowing, upon my arrival to the summit. I put some warm cloths
and my raining gears on as I was expecting a long and cold descent from 5’000ft
back down to 1’000ft. It was impressive how fast the weather had changed – it was
pouring, almost snowing, cold and very unpleasant. I hoped for a clear up
further down at 2’000ft as I was shivering and feeling quite uncomfortable. In
those moments I just relied on my riding experience, as I encountered similar
situations back in Switzerland too.
No comments:
Post a Comment