February 27: Washington’s Winter Wonderland

Riding east on the Spirit Lake Highway, I rose in elevation, the temperature dropped, my ears popped, and the lush green forest around me gave way to a breathtakingly beautiful winter wonderland, with the snow-topped peaks of the Cascade Mountain Range stretching out into the horizon.

Heading north on Interstate 5 and then turning off at Castle Rock towards Mount Saint Helens this morning, I passed along the shores of Silver Lake, beautifully framed by tall reeds of grass in the foreground and Douglas firs behind. Lily pads rested lightly on the silvery blue lake waters, the peaceful surface providing a perfect reflection of the bright blue cloud dotted sky above.

Swooping around smooth, broad curves following the shores of the Toutle River, I passed Kid Valley and Hoffstadt Creek. The already chilly air became colder, my cheeks and nose turned red, and the thick strands of trees turned into craggy, snow-draped cliffs, with streams of snow melted water flowing down their surfaces into the road.

Riding above the tree line I followed jagged ice-covered mountain tops towering above rivers, streams, and lakes in the valley below. Rising into the sky in front of me, the horseshoe shaped open crater of the northern face of Mount Saint Helens dominated the landscape, its stark white snowy sides standing out magnificently against the dark blue skies around. What a magical day on the bike!