Ohanapecosh-Stevens Canyon-Paradise--Mt Rainier National Park

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  • Advance registration required for all participants. If you decide not to ride, please click Cancel My Registration below to open space for others. (How to cancel) 
  • Attendance at the pre-ride safety briefing is required to participate in the ride.
  • If you have tested positive for COVID or have been exposed to someone with COVID, follow the quarantine and isolation guidelines. In general, if you have COVID or are displaying COVID symptoms, or if you are sick with the flu or a cold, you should not participate in group rides.
  • Carry a face covering in case a business or public transit requires their use.
  • Please, no spitting or “snot-rockets” while participating.
  • A CPSC certified helmet is required to be worn to participate.

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Date and Time: 
Saturday, August 25, 2018 - 9:30am
Start Location: 
Ohanapecosh Visitor Center Day Use Area
Loop B, Ohanapecosh Campground
Randle, WA 98377
Directions
Contact Information: 
John Weller
(206)523-2205
Distance: 
47 miles
Elevation Gain: 
5,260 feet
Pace: 
Moderate: [14-16mph]
Terrain: 
Hilly
Regroup: 
Occasional
Weather Cancellation: 
Showers cancel
Interests: 
Fitness / Health

An out-and-back ride from the day parking area on Loop B at Ohanapecosh up Stevens Canyon to Paradise at Mt Rainier.  The route is reversed for the return to the start.  Please note that, while the town address is Randle, Ohanapecosh is on State Route 123 between Cayuse Pass and U.S. 12--nowhere near Randle.  Please do not go to Randle looking for the ride start.  The "Directions" hot link to Google Maps, above, will get you to Ohanapecosh.  

The entry fee to Mt Rainier National Park for a bicyclist is $15.  Water and bathrooms are at the start, and at Paradise.  The Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise has a snack bar and food for sale.  

This ride is posted as Moderate pace, but Cascade has no set pace during climbing and descending.  Because the ascent to Paradise is so long, faster or slower climbers may decide to proceed at their own speed.  

This is a mountain route with conditions subject to change.  Even on a warm day the long descent can be chilly.  Riders must carry an extra layer such as a vest and sun sleeves/arm warmers, or a light jacket.  As on all Cascade rides, bring tools and knowledge to repair flats, and a cell phone and plan for rescue should you have a serious mechanical failure. Remember that there can be limited to zero cell coverage in the National Park.  

The listed phone number won't be answered by me on ride day and the person who might answer cannot advise on this ride.  So please don't call.  If the ride day weather conditions at Mt Rainier meet the Showers Cancel criteria, I will post a ride-cancelled notice in Comments, below, by 5:30 AM.  A good indicator of weather on the route is an on-line forecast for Crystal Mountain Ski Area.  Please note that smoky conditions with an AQI at or above "Moderate" also will cancel.  

Links: 
Route and cue sheet
Mt Rainier entry fees

Comments

The webcam views are pretty clouded, but I can't tell if it's fog or smoke.  The current AQI for Mt Rainier is in the low 20s, which is very good, but it's not specific as to location.  So that could be the AQI at the summit, which does us no good.  

I am going to Ohanapecosh in the morning regardless, so I'm waiting until then to decide.  I know that's not very helpful, but it's all there is.

--John 

The forecast high temperature for Paradise today is in the mid-40s with winds estimated at 5 mph, plus a chance of showers.  This is not good riding weather for me.  I'll be at Ohanapecosh to talk more, I hope by 0900.  

Ohanapecosh Visitor Center Day Use Area
Loop B, Ohanapecosh Campground
Randle, WA 98377
Directions
Ride Leader(s)
John Weller

Registrations so far...
Moderate: [14-16mph]

3 rider(s)