Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - ~1,800 feet in 3.9 miles (avg grade of 8.7 %)

On Saturday, I rode about 50 miles, around the southern half of Lake Washington, through a few neighboring towns, over a long floating bridge, and had a great time. LBS lent me their Madfibers again, so I took them out on some rolling hills, through some wind, and so on. Plus it was warm and sunny, so I wanted to spend most of the day outdoors. I had a great time, and could have done another 50 miles, but I had a date that evening.

Yesterday, instead of riding, I hiked up to Annette Lake. There are more avalanches in the Cascades than anywhere else in the lower 48, so, I wanted to get my mountain time in while I still could. I was pretty tired by the end of this hike! ( But, if you're local or planning to visit, this is a wonderful trail through the old growth rain forest, ending at a magical lake surrounded by mountain peaks and fed by two waterfalls. )

Why does hiking take more out of me than cycling? I would expect it to be easier, and to use mostly the same muscles I've been strengthening on the bike.

Hiking uses your muscles differently. You're an accomplished cyclist, but you need to hike more if you want it to be easy.

Ok, gotta ask, where are the photos, this sounds like a kodak moment hike. Us Washingtonians stuck in Cali need beautiful photos. :)

Annette Lake is a tough but beautiful hike. If you get a chance, also check out Lake Serene on Hwy 2 (near Index).

It was a deluge; I've only been so waterlogged a few times in my life. I had a camera phone with me, but never took it out of my pocket for fear of drowning it.

Here are some photos other people have shot, though, just for you and your nostalgia. :D

From above - I didn't get to enjoy this view:

http://www.washingtonhikes.com/2007/silverpeak/silverpeak09.jpg

There was no snow, but it was foggier than this:

http://www.dsfrazee.net/2005/2005.01.28.cle.elum62.jpg

Looking up the talus slope:

http://www.dsfrazee.net/2005/2005.01.28.cle.elum64a.jpg

If this were larger and clearer, you'd be able to see the main waterfall toward the left:

http://www.wta.org/hiking-info/gallery/images/2011/annette-lake/@@images/aa9f541e-62d2-473c-9d48-b3383ccfb86e.jpeg

Great views of the mountain across a narrow chasm:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2227/5790332500_3397bfb47d.jpg

Most of the hike looked like this:

http://dougs.smugmug.com/Northwest-Hiking-Trails/Annette-Lake-Trail-Mt/Annette-Lake-Trail-8-12-06-020/87864745_xXw3H-L.jpg

http://alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/annette-lake-trail

Funny I hiked Saturday...much easier for me than riding! I think that comes from pushing a mountain bike up trails.

Did a MTB ride Friday... 12 miles. Most of the elevation gain was in the first 2.9 miles (sucks!); about 1500' (total); after that the ride was fun. Although the scenery was beautiful it doesn't compare to SF's. I get so jealous!

Why does hiking take more out of me than cycling? I would expect it to be easier, and to use mostly the same muscles I've been strengthening on the bike.

The usual rule of thumb I've seen is Walking/Running is about 3X harder than cycling (10 mile run = 30 mile bike). For me it seems more like (10 mile run = 50 mile bike)
The main reason is walking is weight a bearing exercise, you are supporting your entire weight rather than sitting on something and just peddling.

Cycling also involve the quads more then the gluts, and walking the gluts more than the quads.
The gluts can be up to 40% of your entire muscle mass, that's why weight bearing exercises are the best for
calorie burning/weight loss. That's also why swimming, while it might seem hard with no technique is very poor for
weight loss. You are basically floating and using your small arm muscle (and a little leg flapping) for locomotion.

No coasting when hiking.

Yes, that is beautiful, reminds me of my first hike in the Olympics, Wagonwheel lake. When I retire I will be back up there to exlplore the Olympics and Cascades more. Something I did not appreciate while growing up.

Different muscle groups when hiking and weight bearing exercises will make you work harder than cycling..

Does hiking work your calves? More than quads and glutes, this is where I felt the work I'd done, yesterday evening.

When you hike, you don't have gears. Gears=less energy needed to move your mass.