[Freedomflyer]

Found out that one of our favorite trails is open until Dec. 1st, that certainly doesn't mean it will be passable until then. With our weather being absolutely beautiful this last week my wife and I went ahead and made plans to ride this last Saturday. We had invited 5 other couples to join us and all them had plans or last minute issues that came up. We didn't let that deter us in anyway and decided that we would forge ahead and go any way, We know the trail quite well and if it got too bad we would just find a place to turn around and go back (if possible). We had gotten our first snow a week and a half ago and it was a pretty decent amount, about 2 1/2 inches in our yard. That translates to a least a foot to where we had planned to ride. But this last week was gorgeous with temps in the high 50's to low 60's and with each day the snow line moved steadily up the mountain sides, well at least on the south and west sides. We headed out at about 11:30 Saturday morning and arrived at the trail head at a little after noon. The road up the canyon was snowier and icier than I expected, however we were on the trail by 12:15 and cruising through mud, snow, and ice in the shady spots. We broke out into a nice meadow that faced south and it was totally dry, that was very encouraging. We continued on and into more shade with sunny spots and mud as we gained altitude about 3 miles in we rounded a corner and encountered a rather large downed tree. End of the line. We turned around and headed back down the trail head. Upon reaching the truck we contemplated whether or not to try to go up and forest service road and connect back up with the trail at another access point or go home and chalk it up to being to late in the year. It was too nice of a day to not at least give it a shot, we were able to gain access to the trail about 3 1/2 miles up the forest service road and as we drove onto the narrow trail I had horrible visions of sliding off the edge and down the 60+ degree slope into thick timber but proceeded anyway.

 

[Freedomflyer]

We drove onto the trail after shifting into 4 low and proceed with no real issue until we were of course in an area that it was impossible to turn around and had a couple of minor slips toward the downward edge but the further we went the trail bent slightly to the south east and conditions improved as did the temperature. We were able to make it to our favorite stop(Champagne Rock) and have some lunch and enjoy the warm afternoon sun and take in the snow capped views surrounding us.

 

[Freedomflyer]

After lunch we packed up and continued on our journey with more confidence as the temperature rose and trail conditions improved. I wasn't sure how long that would last as we were going to eventually not only gain altitude but come to where the trail would skirt the north side of the mountains we were heading into which of course meant deeper snow and a much more worried wife. But for now we were going to enjoy the day and beautiful views while we could. Worse case scenario we would head down hill to the reservoir on a lower trail and catch the paved road back to the truck. Not my favorite option.

 

[Freedomflyer]

Eventually we had worked our way around and up to the area of concern and found it to be totally covered in snow but had compacted and seemed to be holding fine. I kept the speed up as much as I dared for banked corners and inclines so as to not spin out and slide backwards. We were able to stop in a few place and get some great shots, the temperature was holding it seemed to the mid 50's in the shade so we weren't uncomfortable in any way. So we continued on knowing if we made it through this part we were home free as the temps continued to rise.

 

[Freedomflyer]

We rode about 3 more miles of shady snowy trails and then it eventually wrapped back around to the south and south east to give us a nice dry trail and spectacular view.

 

[Freedomflyer]

We dropped down off the trail to the reservoir then took the forest service road up to a water fall that freezes over the winter and forms a big ice formation that freezes to the rock wall that it is cascading down and attracts ice climbers from all over the world. It is just a short 1/8 mile walk to the falls. We then proceeded from the falls back to the trail head and started back down towards the truck.

 

[Freedomflyer]

Worked our way back down the trail to complete our "lollipop loop" and get back to where we started out. The dead trees laid over in the branches above the trail will probably be on the trail by next spring so the forest service will have a bit of trail clearing to do. Also stopped back by the rock where we ate lunch to see if the late afternoon sun had changed the lighting on the snow of the mountains. The sun had however done it's job on the snow that was on the trail and down to where we started from the forest service, it was much more bare and less nerve racking to ride. I don't mind the snow and the muddy trail, it's the sharp 60 degree hillside full of trees that tends to bother me a bit. . Got to the truck at about 6:15 which was almost exactly 6 hrs from the time we left. Was a great day and probably one of my favorite rides we've taken since starting this crazy adventure, we look forward to many more. FF

 

[mrbb]

great pic's as always
good to see your having a fun yr then!

 

[misterclean59]

I'm happy for you two because of the amazing rides you have close to home. Buckle up tho...........winter is coming! LOL

 

[Freedomflyer]

Thanks Misterclean, we really are having a great time, and we'll embrace the winter as best we can, about time to get the sled out,:grin

 

[misterclean59]

Thanks Misterclean, we really are having a great time, and we'll embrace the winter as best we can, about time to get the sled out,:grin

Winter will be here around December 5th or 10th. I will get out the sweaters! LOL

 

[Freedomflyer]

Pretty sure it will be here sooner than that unfortunately.

 

[_Wilson_]

Amazing pics ! Absuulty beautiful ! Looks like y'all had a great time! Oh look at them hanging widow makers!

 

[mrbb]

well I have snow, ice and temps in the 20's this past week, so, winter??? I guess you could say its here now
minus all the rain that keeps falling almost every day or night??
I sure hope all WINTER it doesn;t rain like it has all spring/summer and Fall so far!
I like snow I HATE Ice
several times last yr ice was so thick in drive way I couldn;t get up the slope, and even had to bring in 40 ton of 2 B gravel to put on top just to get in and out
an added ex[pence I didn;t desire nor the mess it makes plowing after that, little rocks ever where (the riding mower loves to throw come warmer weather! ) LOL

 

[Higgins]

I’ve actually saw a guy operating a walk behind machine that was specifically made for sweeping those stones back in the driveway prior to the first spring mow. He bought it used from a prior owner who almost never ran it, and it had the ever so popular ethanol issue. First time I’ve ever seen or heard of such a thing.

 

[Freedomflyer]

Well,
Unfortunately I think winter is here, unofficially of course as the first day of winter is the 21st of December, but....... this was our temp at 8 o'clock this morning, makes it a little tough to get out of bed.

 

[fishfiles]

From what I have been reading , winter is going to be long and hard this year , the Sun is in a state of less solar flares so more cold , but every thing you read is 50/50 chance of being true

 

[dr. feelgood]

Great pics, wish I had scenery like that around here. We have flat cornfields as far as you can see. How many miles would you say you covered?

Rob

 

[misterclean59]

34 with snow flurries here north of Houston. Flurries are rare and November 13th flurries are more rare. I've lived here all of my 59 years........don't remember anything like this?

 

[mrbb]

I had about an inch and a half of snow last night, then like all YR, it turned to RAIN again and bye bye the snow went?

and as all yr, every 2 days there calling for MORE rain
I have never seen it rain this often in my life time, has to be about 6 months sine we had 4 day FULL days of NO rain now??
and most times haven't gone more than 40 hours without rain
if it ever gets super cold, and still raining, its going to be one icy winter here! LOL