Just to add to the chorus, these are great maps - and I'm hoping to do it this season - with June as a pretty likely option. I would drive out from Seattle - and might be up for joining up with some others especially if you are coming from W. WA so we could potentially do a ride or two before hand.

A couple of questions, has anyone found a good source to watch snow levels?

I'm curious about what bike people are planning on using - I've got a cross check that I think would be fine for the main section, but am wondering if a hardtail would be sufficient for the single track portions?

LiiT, thanks for the thoughts. . . My girlfriend is excited about off-road touring (she would be using her HT mtb) and you don't get that opportunity that often so I know I'll be able to get some use out of the bike (not to mention I need a new bike to commute with since I'm still nursing my broken steel frame to get around town).  I was thinking the cyclocross or LHT rides would actually be fairly affordable since I could get them out of the shop for ~$1200 and then make any adjustments I want. . .though I'm still not sold.

I've traditionally had a small stable of bikes, but I've broken my commuter/road trip frame and my last mountain bike purchase just never turned me on.  I'm hoping to find a bike that can do as much of my riding on as possible - which would include some dirt road touring, commuting, possibly some light mountain biking and/or or light road touring (I've got pretty UL gear). I live in the NW and am pretty light . . . the standard advice seems to be either a cyclocross bike or a LHT but I was wondering if there were any other suggestions.  I went to the shop to try a fargo but they didn't have anything near my size.     

Thanks!