John Cahill Bike and Hike Memorial 2006

Route

• 14 miles up hwy 410
• 6 mile climb up Crystal Mt. Blvd to Crystal Mt. resort
• 6 mile hike up to Henskin Lake and back
• 6 mile hair raising descent down Crystal Mt. Blvd back to hwy 410
• 14 mile descent in a fierce headwind back to Greenwater fire station

Well the second annual John Cahill Bike and Hike was absolutely outstanding. The sun was out and the weather for riding and hiking was perfect. 114 riders turned out to remember John and his family. There were firefighters and others from all over Puget Sound. April came all the way from Gig Harbor after seeing the ride posted on the Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club calendar (thanks April). Larry and crew did a great job of organizing the ride and providing food and water along the way as well as a post ride feast at the fire station after the ride.

The route starts at the Greenwater fire station just east of the main part of Greenwater. Riders ride 14 miles up hwy 410, which is a gentle uphill, to Crystal Mt. Blvd. There is a food and water stop at the Forest Service Info center for a break before riders begin the grueling 6 mile climb up Crystal Mt. Blvd. I have to say I love my triple chain ring on climbs like that. The route was shaded from the firestation until about the last 2 miles of the climb up Crystal Mt. Blvd. Then the hot sun on the open pavement added a little challenge to those last two miles of uphill to the Crystal Mt. resort.

At the resort was a transition zone where riders traded their bike shoes for hiking boots and packs and began the 6 mile round trip hike up to Henskin lake. The trail leaves the resort up a steep open hillside and then enters the forest on Silver Creek trail. The ascent is gentle and then gradually becomes steeper leveling out just before Henskin Lake. This year the lake was a treat. The weather was much warmer than last year. I hiked up with Heiko Stopsack and Kelly Jenson. We met up with a group at the top and relaxed next to the lake before hiking back down to the resort. The views along the hike and the lake are worth the effort. We took a different route back by following the skid road down the front face of the ski area. This open track back treated us with views of the surrounding ridgelines and the resort below. Its more direct but at times was like walking on marbles down the gravel road.

Back at the resort we changed back in to our bike shoes and prepared for the descent back down to the fire station. I joined up with some Auburn Firefighters and Georgia from Sumner Fire for the ride down. We flew down the steep 6 miles of Crystal Mt. Blvd. The only thing that kept us from exceeding the speed limit was the ferocious upriver headwind that is always present in the afternoon. After a hair raising descent it was back on to hwy 410. I pulled ahead while they regrouped and was working as hard as I could to fight the headwind and keep the pace up. Finally the Auburn Firefighters joined up with me again and we had an awesome paceline all the way back to the fire station. It was a strong group of riders and each person pulled us forward. We switched out frequently because its a lot of work up there in the front pushing through the headwind. The last mile was a mad dash back to the firestation and a quick turn back in to the parking area.

This year a post ride feast was provided which was a great way to end the day. Chicken Caesar salad, garlic bread, and corn on the cob tasted pretty good after a long day.

This year's ride was organized really well. I had a great day and I can't think of a better way to remember someone. I was thinking "This is the way things should work". Remember someone in a positive way and help support their family. Its really about community and comradeship which is one of the outstanding qualities of the fire fighting / EMS community that I really respect and am glad I'm a part of.

See you next year!!

Bike Tech Crew	Last Minute Adjustments	Geez, I thought this helmet fit me
Greenwater Firestation	Paul Mernaugh	One of the Bike Techs
Federal Way Firefighter	Gear Truck for Hike	Check-in
Getting Ready to Ride and Hike	Kelly Jenson and Heiko Stopsack	The Staging Area
P9050061.JPG	Larry Upton, Organizer	Skid Lid
Pep Talk	The Gang	P9050067.JPG
P9050068.JPG	P9050069.JPG	Cahill Family
Cahill Family	Bikes On Road - 1	Bikes On Road - 2
Climbing Crystal Mt. Blvd	Looking Down Crystal Mt. Blvd	Crystal Mt. Resort
Transition Zone for Hike	Beginning of Trail	Heiko and Kelly on Silver Creek Trail