Day 3: Welches to Kah-Nee-Ta

Today was glorious but hard work. Straight out of the hotel gate we had to grind uphill for 14 miles without relief to 4,000 ft, passing the slopes of Mt. Hood almost at the snowline ourselves. It took over 2 hours to reach the summit. The payoff was an exhilirating fast descent (38mph)through pine forests. Then it changed to desert. Another long climb, and then the best descent of my life into the arid valley, curving round rock formations and ending at the hotel (photo after my shower!)