40.5 miles/ +2018.5 ft/ Total miles 3207.3
The ride from Republic to Wauconda Pass was quite pleasant and not difficult. On the east side, there was some shade:
I didn’t realize I was already at the top until I saw the sign. The peaks surrounding this pass are only about 1,000 – 1,300 ft higher than the pass itself, so it doesn’t feel like a pass as much as a high spot on the road.
The descent had some stretches of 5 percent slopes, and took me into the Okanogan valley, which is dry and hot.
I am staying in Tonasket tonight and will have a short day tomorrow to Okanogan, followed by the climb over Loup Loup pass. The weather is hot in the afternoons (90-100) and there is no escape from the sun. I am a Seattle weather wimp (can’t take hot weather and sun!), so I feel much better about starting up the pass first thing in the morning.
On my day off in Republic, I went to the Stonerose museum and the fossil site on a hillside a couple of blocks away. The fossil site is a lakebed from the Eocene era, 50 million years old, with shale layers that contain fossils of bugs, fish, leaves, wood, and other interesting things. You can rent a hammer and chisel and go up to the site to see if you can find an extinct species that has not been previously identified. Of course, I didn’t find anything that interesting, but I did find a fossil leaf, probably a type of rose:
My host in Republic is the sister of my host in Glendive, Montana, from a few weeks ago! She showed me some of the sights in Republic, and yesterday after she finished work, we drove to Swan Lake in the Colville National Forest. We had a little picnic, watched some birds, and walked around the lake — the first hike of the summer for me. I will definitely plan some outings when I get back to Seattle!
Judy's Bike Ride 2017 
Sounds great Judy. Rick and friends will be in Tonasket on Sunday to start a 6 day hike in Pasayten Wilderness. Don’t miss the Arrowleaf Bistro in Winthrop. We are coming over on the 11-14th. Sure you don’t want to head east again? 🙂
Some beautiful roads up that way Judy! I have ridden them many times on my bike too. You’re doing pretty good, but I think I made better time on mine.
On a motorcycle– of course you make better time. But you can’t hear the birds singing! Or the trucks roaring up the grade behind you …
Wow! That fossil looks amazing. Look forward to seeing it in person if you are carrying it back 🙂
I left it at the museum. They do school presentations and give them to the kids. I am bringing the pictures home.
Roses 50 million years ago…they have stood the test of time! You look pretty relaxed and happy at the top of this pass – nice to have one that you don’t even realize you’ve finished!
Tonasket, Okanogan, and even places more remote. Reminds me of my county-wide solid waste study of 40 years ago, but in my 62 Beetle, no bike!