Day 6 August 8 Alice Creek to Ellensgurg

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We continued on PTCT. Almost a landmark, a big wooden structure stood right next to the trail. It was used to stop avalanche from covering the railroad. We reached a tourist attraction Snoqualmie tunnel, a former railroad tunnel, now the longest bike/pedestrian tunnel in the US (2.3 mi). It is peach dark inside. You’d need a light to go through. After that we refilled our water bottles at Hyak, one of the many former rail stations along the former Pacific railroad, now PTCT. Unlike others that were abandoned after the railroad was no longer used, this one is well maintained with restrooms and water fountains for people to visit the tunnel. We passed more trestles and bridges over the Yakima River. The changes in the landscape from forests to semi-desert was clearly visible.

We met Jay from South Korea, who was on his way to ride from Patagonia to Alaska. He had been on this journey for 8 months. He would be our inspiration for the rest of our trip. (After he reached Prudhoe Bay, AK, he came to Seattle and then rode to NYC.)

The rough and often loose surface of PTCT continued to challenge us and slow us down. We settled the night at Ellensburg.