Yesterday Brenda and I visited Mt Walker on the western side of the Hood Canal. Being Western Australians accustomed to flat terrain we found the drive to the 2800 ft summit nerve wracking. The road was steep, narrow, winding, with mind-boggling drops along one edge. One faux paux and it would be adios amigos for a 1000 ft roll unless you got lucky and bashed into a tree. If you met a car you hoped that it would be at a point where one of the cars could find a passing lay by of maybe 5 feet. At one point I was forced to pass a car with my wheels at what Brenda estimated was 18 inches from the edge. We both broke out in sweats going up. Going down was easier, probably because we knew what to expect and also because we had the sense to engage the 4 wheel drive.
At the summit the road branches for northern and southern views. With binoculars we could clearly see Seattle and SeaTac airport and of course Mts Rainier and Baker. At a viewing lay by on the way down we got good views of Port Townsend and Admiralty Inlet.
The top photo shows me being naughty and sharing my lunch with the local bird life (gray jays).
The second photo shows the forestry service's idea of humor. Of the four choices for the toilet door they chose the side with maybe 3 feet between bliss and oblivion.
The next photo shows dainty Sue's muscle car.
Following that is the passenger side view of the road edge.
The distance photos are hazy due probably to moisture in the air. However, Mt Baker can be seen on the penultimate photo.
2 comments:
There are parts of Australia just as scary to drive up and down, but the scenery is amazing. Seems you have a great time.
Someone changed the blog's main photo....wonder who that was?
I love the new photo of Pachuca.
I can remember getting out of the car to walk, under similar circumstances once on the coast in Croatia. A very narrow winding road very steep with sheer drop one side and cliff face the other. Worse than in the actual mountains.
My Mum didn't like any such roads, narrow or not, the sheer drop was enough to terrify her.
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