Bike camping over Snoqualmie Pass

Two months ago I set off along the Palouse to Cascades trail with my bike and a stuffed set of panniers. The goal? To get outside (really outside) and experience my first overnight bike camping trip.

Ever since talking with someone who structured her life around a series of mini-retirements - saving up while working and then taking six months off (or more) to bike around the country until the funds ran out, I've wanted to go on a bike camping trip.

The problem is, I've never done anything like bike camping before and for a long time, the process of preparing and planning such a trip seemed too daunting of a task. Most online articles try to be helpful in this regard, but gear reviews and packing lists more often than not lead into a counterproductive analysis paralysys spiral.

Here's a secret: not everything needs to be planned out in its entirety. If you want to do something, just set a date and commit to it and the rest will take care of itself. This mentality might not work for everyone, but I find the more often I adopt this approach, the more pleased I am with the result. I don't need the perfect set of gear, or even a complete set of gear. As long as I can manage, that is good enough.

I want to let the rest of the story be told through a few select photos. I can't express through words how magical this experience was for me, but I can share with you my highlights.

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Packing list comprised of roughly the following categories: sustenance (food/water), warmth (clothes/shelter), emergencies (repairs/first aid). Most everything I already owned. What I did not, I found at the grocery store near my house. No specialized stores required.

First stop. Out of sight is the busy I-90. The view is incredible, and doubly so because I got here with my own two legs and a bicycle.

Mini lunch break by the side of the path. Bicycle in the shot, in case you didn't already know that I'm going bike camping!

The path crosses over several ravines, so cool! How often do you get to bike over an old railroad trestle?

View from a trestle. The air smells clean and the problems of yesterday seem so distant.

Snoqualmie tunnel. A two mile long railroad tunnel underneath Snoqualmie Pass.

Cold and dark, the lights you see are from other people, not the end of the tunnel.

Out on the other end, the view of Keechelus Lake as I stop for a snack before finding a place to camp. Across the lake, cars and trucks fly down I-90 completely unaware of the beauty they are missing out on.

Vibrant orange bike, but I assure you it's much dirtier than when I started.

I did it! A satisfied selfie at the end of a long day of biking.

Hammock ridgeline setup. I have no idea how to tie it, so I wrapped it several times around the tree, added a wooden toggle, and called it good enough.

First time sleeping in a hammock. I got a bit cold in the middle of the night, and I have a few bug bites now because of no bugnet, but this is way more comfortable than using a tent.

The morning view from my hammock. I've been reading for the past hour because it's so cozy in here!

Keechelus lake in the morning light. These stumps are so cool!

Danger, avalanche area! Nice pop of color from the sign.

Hello darkness, my old friend

Taking a break under an old avalanche shelter.