Burlington Campground to Westport Union Landing State Beach

Leggett Hill - I Think I Can

Monday, May 12, 2014
Burlington Campground to Westport Union Landing State Beach
72.5 miles

We had shared our campsite last night with Andy and Taylor, two outdoor education teachers from an adventure school in Wyoming.  They were cycling from Seattle to San Francisco.  I laughed to myself thinking that they were doing this trip on their time off!  After spending months teaching in the outdoors you would think they might be looking at all inclusive Mexican vacations as a way to relax.  They were full of spirit and optimism and being around them gave us an energy boost.

Avenue of the Giants

We spent the morning enjoying the last few miles along the Avenue of the Giants.  Words can not describe how majestic and awe inspiring these forests are.

The time spent here really went by far too quickly and we soon found ourselves back on US 101 following the Fork Eel River Valley.  We began to climb out of the valley up into the hills and with the climb the temperature also rose dramatically.  We pulled off to the side of the road to take off coats and put our shorts on.  As we were making this pit stop, Andy and Taylor cruised on by.  We cheered them on.  They were powering up the hill and were soon miles ahead of us.

Vegetation changes as the route leaves the Redwoods

After many hot hours in the hills, we finally reached the intersection with Highway 1, the Shoreline Highway.  What a treat .....  we were now heading to the coast again.  Our only obstacle - Leggett Hill, a 2,000 foot beast standing between us and the coast.  Almost every cyclist we have met who has done this route talks about Leggett Hill.  The hill has quite the reputation.  It is four miles long and a 7% climb.

We were feeling quite intimidated and to confess, it is wonderful that Rob and I are also fond of hiking.  Leggett Hill got the best of us, and we ended up walking and pushing our bikes to the summit.  On the bright side - the descent was exhilarating and it seemed to go on for miles!

Leggett Hill.....much more fun going down!

Just when we thought we were out of the woods, we were faced with just one more hill before we hit the coast.  It felt cruel to have to climb yet another 690 feet, but we really didn't have a choice.  Just when all hope was almost lost, we rounded the bend and there she was -  the mighty Pacific!  Instantly we had pep in our legs and a smile on our faces and the last few miles to the campsite just flew by.

First glance of the ocean after surviving Leggett Hill

It appears that we have been well rewarded for our hard work today.  We have a campsite on the bluff overlooking the ocean.  As the sun is setting, a full moon is rising and we are expecting a spectacular night sky.  And now for the icing on the cake....as we were eating dinner, three gray whales went by.  I can not imagine a better reward for hill climbing.

Sunset at Westport Union Landing State beach

Full moon rising 

Giggle of the day:

We spent several hours in the upper hills.  After one long climb out of the river valley we were approaching the interchange back to US101 when a mirage appeared......