We started today talking with our new mountain biker friends, establishing some connections. Mike, an esteemed gentleman whom I later dubbed the Statesman of the Trinity Bike Scene, talked for a while about all things bicycles. He was particularly enthused after learning that Emily had participated in the Hayfork Century, which Mike had helped organized. [Note: In August, we went back and did a 68-mile bike ride with Mike that covered some of our skipped section between the Trinity Alps and the South Fork of the Trinity... on the uphill portions, which totaled 8,000 vertical feet, as Emily and I gasped for air, Mike kept up a stream of nonchalant, happy chatter.]
We started with five miles on trail. The forest was lovely and green, and the trail was so nicely graded and comfortable. Then we hit the road, and went up and up and up for 10 miles. We saw a few big snakes, and we carried extra water because we knew it would get scarce. The ponderosa pine plantations lining the road became monotonous, and we just put one foot in front of another until we got to springs trickling down from the uphill slope.
We camped on the edge of the road. My slightly neurotic side was wary of cars, though for the entire 10 miles uphill we had seen no one. The water was nearby and the Yolla Bollys were just over the hill, so I slept in eager anticipation of the next day.
Total miles: 15.4
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| Emily grows weary of p-pine plantations. |
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| Camping on the road offers a lot of flat ground... |
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