Looking down the east slope. One vivid memory from this shot is standing quietly and being able to hear the clunking of boulders randomly tumbling down this side, and the echo they made, and the echo my warrior yells made, AI-AI-AI-AIIIII!
This is the third and final part of the adventure, if you missed Part I or II click on the colorful words below. Thanks for coming along!
Not the best resolution, though worth the look, the rim of majestic Crater Lake National Park on the horizon to the northeast.
Getting to the top was only half of the trip. Run back down to Sweet Melissa, and yes, I brought the cable lock, you never know when a lycra-clad bear or walking weary PCT hiker might try to steal a svelte pink single speed beauty. Dancing shoes go back on.
Got the chance to shred some sweet single track before putting the knobbies on the pavement.
Sign out from my solo partay and homeward to where a friendly partay is just 45 mostly downhill miles and one warm shower away...
Not quite an Old World stone fountain like in the Dolomites, still, the pump on Road 37 provides refreshment.
The sun was setting, light was dimming, and the smoky haze made the light horrible for pics. Still, there are some changing colors to be seen here, a beautiful spot. If you want to see what this area has to offer in the way of mountain biking check out my pose titled "Summer or Fall?" in the archive under October 2010
Timing. Less than 1.5 hours before this picture was taken I was at the top of the mountain. And one week after this picture was taken the upper heights of the Rogue Valley got snow, laying a frosty blanket on top of Mt. McLoughlin that will only grow thicker until it all melts in late July. Just in the right time, a great date with a great mountain. I'll be back, perhaps for a winter time rendezvous.
All downhill from here. Door to door the trip took 9 hours, including picture breaks, stops for water, stops to empty water from bladder, wardrobe changes, and my "alone" time with Mt. McLoughlin as we talked about things one would talk about on their first date. My goal next year is to do it in under 8 hours. Maybe the Siskiyou Challenge could run an endurance leg.
duuuuuudde! rad adventure. Glad it’s on the blog. Even gladder, i’ve got a bladder, that empties through the adder.
You got a cool adventure idea for xc skis and bikes for next week or what?
[...] Part III of this story can be found by clicking here [...]
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