September 6: Fun in the Fog and Forest

What a fun day cavorting through fog and forest past rivers, lakes, and scenic overlooks. Although skies were mostly overcast, today’s ride north through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to Cougar was downright invigorating due to the lack of traffic and stunning natural surroundings.  

Heading east on highway 14 along the Columbia River Gorge, a thick layer of mist hovered over the silvery still waters, creating a feeling a calm and tranquility beyond the thick yellow stalks of grass lining the shoreline.

Turning north on Wind River Highway near Carson I rose in elevation, tunneling through the thick forest of deep green Douglas Firs. With almost no other vehicles on the road, I breathed in the fresh mountain air and gazed up at the tips of the trees reaching up to the grey clouds above.

Taking a left on Curly Creek Road, I pulled over at the McClellan Overlook to get a spectacular view of the south side of Mount Saint Helens, its dark dome rising through a white ring of fog, creating a beautiful contrast against the lush trees at its base.

Beyond the viewpoint, I turned onto National Forest Road 90, my bike bumping and jostling along the pothole filled road, sneaking peeks through the thick trees of Pine Creek, the Swift Reservoir, and Yale Lake, all beautiful different shades of blue, silver, and green.

With no one in sight and a thick canopy of trees creating a tunnel through the woods, I savored the solitude and embraced the woods, admiring the tall thin moss-covered trees stretching their branches across the road and meeting in the middle.

At Yale Lake, I headed south on highway 503, riding along a delightful sequence of curvy back roads past fields and farmlands, small corner stores and nurseries, old barns and country homes. What a great day on the bike!