bunky
February 5th, 2005, 10:28 PM
Just an FYI to those looking for a ride tomorrow. The
Pope and I rode EF/ Bear Wallow today. This may be
the best bet for the time being, as reports of
Gambrill and Shed sound much worse than what we
encountered. NOTE: For those who haven't ridden it
before, don't---This is pretty heavy technical stuff.
Parked at the Bear Wallow trailhead. The double track
up to passage creek was a mixed bag, but definitely
rideable. It is on a southern/ eastern exposure so it
was relatively dry with only a few patches of snow and
hardpack ice. In some sections, it was a little
spongy, but that doubletrack is relatively bulletproof
and we didn't dig it up at all. Hint: if it gets a bit
soggy use the grass section in the middle-lots of
traction and no sinking in.
The Passage Creek section was AWESOME. Totally
rideable with only an inch or so of snow in sections.
Those of you who have ridden this part know it is
rocky. Today the rocks were even easier than usual
where snow had collected on them. Really wierd how
some (rather long) sections were bone dry even though
it's kind of dark in there. The creek itself had some
ice and snow along the edges and was very picturesque.
You'll want to dismount over the creek crossings. I
didn't and got a shoe/ bootie full of icewater. Yeah,
not much fun.
Next was the road heading up toward signal knob. Wear
tights and you'll be happy--or at least your butt will
be because this section has more ice and snow and it
kicks up here more than on the earlier doubletrack.
Nevertheless, it is totally rideable.
Ducked in and did Mudhole Gap which was in great
shape. But for the major hill climb at the very
beginning, it was unexpectedly dry.
Back on to the fireroad towards Signal Knob and then a
quick right onto the Bear Wallow Blue Trail. OK this
is the only part that was really weak. About a 20
minute hike a bike to the top in the snow. Thing is,
you have to hike a bike this section even when it is
dry! Got a bit of a tan here though :)
The top is what amazed me. From top to bottom it is
really dry, except for a few patches of trail that are
in shadows normally and one 200 yard section that
never gets any light. Otherwise, it was the sweet
singletrack you normally get, smelling all piney from
the pine trees. In parts in was warm and really dry
with downed leaves and dust--felt like October after a
drought!
CAREFUL-from top to first switchback--I almost fell
off the edge and didn't realize it was a pretty
substantial drop below me. Scared the heck out of me.
After the first switchback, it gets a lot more tame.
Hang on for some sweet dry singletrack and sick rocks
all the way down to the road. Then ride the road back
to your car.
And that's my $.02
Bunk
Pope and I rode EF/ Bear Wallow today. This may be
the best bet for the time being, as reports of
Gambrill and Shed sound much worse than what we
encountered. NOTE: For those who haven't ridden it
before, don't---This is pretty heavy technical stuff.
Parked at the Bear Wallow trailhead. The double track
up to passage creek was a mixed bag, but definitely
rideable. It is on a southern/ eastern exposure so it
was relatively dry with only a few patches of snow and
hardpack ice. In some sections, it was a little
spongy, but that doubletrack is relatively bulletproof
and we didn't dig it up at all. Hint: if it gets a bit
soggy use the grass section in the middle-lots of
traction and no sinking in.
The Passage Creek section was AWESOME. Totally
rideable with only an inch or so of snow in sections.
Those of you who have ridden this part know it is
rocky. Today the rocks were even easier than usual
where snow had collected on them. Really wierd how
some (rather long) sections were bone dry even though
it's kind of dark in there. The creek itself had some
ice and snow along the edges and was very picturesque.
You'll want to dismount over the creek crossings. I
didn't and got a shoe/ bootie full of icewater. Yeah,
not much fun.
Next was the road heading up toward signal knob. Wear
tights and you'll be happy--or at least your butt will
be because this section has more ice and snow and it
kicks up here more than on the earlier doubletrack.
Nevertheless, it is totally rideable.
Ducked in and did Mudhole Gap which was in great
shape. But for the major hill climb at the very
beginning, it was unexpectedly dry.
Back on to the fireroad towards Signal Knob and then a
quick right onto the Bear Wallow Blue Trail. OK this
is the only part that was really weak. About a 20
minute hike a bike to the top in the snow. Thing is,
you have to hike a bike this section even when it is
dry! Got a bit of a tan here though :)
The top is what amazed me. From top to bottom it is
really dry, except for a few patches of trail that are
in shadows normally and one 200 yard section that
never gets any light. Otherwise, it was the sweet
singletrack you normally get, smelling all piney from
the pine trees. In parts in was warm and really dry
with downed leaves and dust--felt like October after a
drought!
CAREFUL-from top to first switchback--I almost fell
off the edge and didn't realize it was a pretty
substantial drop below me. Scared the heck out of me.
After the first switchback, it gets a lot more tame.
Hang on for some sweet dry singletrack and sick rocks
all the way down to the road. Then ride the road back
to your car.
And that's my $.02
Bunk