2017 Dual Sport Rides – Obrianmcc Adventures

Chased by the frost – Final stretch

Road 159 follows a creek drainage through still green forest before climbing up and over a saddle exposing the remnants of yet another past fire. John takes the lead on a series of forest road switchbacks that drop elevation quickly before depositing us at the Prairie airstrip.

I recall this spot when it was still vibrant forest … now burned and the trees cleared it will be a hot and arid landscape until the forest regrows and decides to reclaim its place.

We pass through the tiny community of Prairie following Blacks Creek Road as our final egress for the day.

Passing by the impressive South Fork Boise River Canyon. This geographic feature alone is worth the short drive out of town to view. It appears as if the landscape just breaks into two with a river running hundreds of feet below.

A few miles down the road with the sun now in our visors … we look back to find our final view of the day … the sun illuminating the river and surrounding landscape.

A bit over 200 miles for the day and still spared of any pending rainfall. This was a great ride to end the season knowing that Winter is close to setting in with its frigid grip.

Until next season!

Chased by the frost – Part Four

After our brief visit at Rocky Bar we start the climb up Rd 156 towards Trinity Ridge Road. The road surface is starting to dry out and kick up some dust with the traction becoming a bit stingy.

We’ve been lucky … No rain yet

Break time … It’s been a long day covering a few miles to this point, so we felt it time to stretch the legs. As soon as we stopped the sleet started to fall. A few good sized trees within close proximity provided necessary shelter while we enjoyed the view.

One of the lakes as we take the rocky road that passes over Trinity … the road over Trinity is seasonal only to open at the beginning of July through the end of Fall when Winter finally decides to retake its hold.

Trinity Lookout

After we cross the pass we start our decent down Trinity Mountain Road towards Fall Creek… The Fall season has a strong grip at this elevation painting the hillsides in a wide spread of Red.

We descend …

Final glance back …

The road is rocky and loose until we make the intersection of Rd 159, Burnt Creek … a literal definition

Chased by the frost … Part three

Connected now with the Middle Fork Rd #268 …. we turn east and make our way towards Atlanta. But first I need to check out an old foundation left over from another era … however the nature of the slab leads me to believe that it is a structure from the recent past.

Middle Fork of the Boise …

John jumps ahead as I play on the concrete slab and I follow the single strip of kicked up gravel left behind by the 690.

We reconvene at the junction of the Middle Fork Rd and James Creek Rd. James Creek climbs up to and then follows a ridge over Bald Mountain before dropping back in at the old mining ghost town of Rocky Bar.

The views from up top in both directions are fantastic!

The 690 in hill climb mode ….

All alone …

Weather in the distance …. but so far we’ve seen hardly a drop

The fantastic views I was talking about earlier ….

Right where the road crosses what I think to be Elk Creek a nice cascade appears …

Rocky Bar Ghost Town is starting to show it’s age … the building on the left has since lost half of it’s roof. The town is private and the owners discourage exploration of the buildings, so best to enjoy from the saddle.

Next up … over Trinity!

Chased by the frost …. Part Two

Topping off with fuel in Idaho City is a necessary stop for the Z as we have a few more miles to consider as we plan the next leg of our ride over Trinity Ridge and back to Boise. The mighty 690 Super Tanker is good to go …. no splashing needed.

A quick run up Hwy 21 and we jump of on Rd 327, Rabbit Creek Road. To let the dust settle John and I separate with a plan to meet at Rabbit Creek Summit. I recall a single track short cut from my Enduro days and decide to see if I can beat John to the top ….

The lower half was flowy and fun … the upper half was nothing but cupped out braking/acceleration bumps and sucked, just as I remembered.

John beat me …

We took this opportunity to stretch the legs and eat a quick snack.

Refreshed and refueled we point the bikes towards Barber Flat.

Rd 327 drops down the East side of Rabbit Creek Summit and follows a drainage down towards the North Fork of the Boise River.

The North Fork of the Boise River originates within the western edge of the Sawtooth Wilderness. A popular stretch for fishing and in some case floating, the N Fork Boise deposits into the Middle Fork of the Boise before dropping into Arrowrock Reservoir.

376 going right …

50″ …. (word on the street is that the bridge has since been repaired and reopened to full size traffic)

There is an unmaintained track that runs over the ridge from Barber Flat to Alexander Flat. Rd 376 has deteriorated to a large extent over the last few years with large ruts and washouts.

Looking east towards Atlanta and the beginnings of the Sawtooth Wilderness…

Down river ….

We drop down into Alexander Flat and the Middle Fork Road 268.

The Middle Fork drainage has been impacted quite heavily the last ten years with devastating wildfires as evidence of remaining burned timber is visible in all directions. A necessary natural process of rejuvenation, but sad none the less as we will never see it back to it’s past glory within our life time.

Now headed up stream without a paddle, just a twist of a throttle …..

Chased by the frost … Part one

“It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves”

– Andre Gide

With another riding season nearing an end and the weekend forecast calling for favorable Fall weather I decide to wake up the Z and reach out to my buddy John and his Mighty 690 …. “Hey John, good day for a ride!”

We meet at the bottom of Bogus Basin Road to once again make our way over the ridge into the Boise Mountains ….

Following 374 along the Ridge Road …

Piney flow ….

The morning is still cool …. John running heated gear off the mighty 690

Once again passing the Ponderosa giants!

Hill-N-Dale

We ride to the end of 374 to Harris Creek Summit and hang a hard right onto Ranch Road, or 307 passing by an old homestead of a harder… and in some ways simpler times.

Moving on towards Idaho City, which for me will be a stopping point for fuel … since the Z is not the super tanker, such as the might 690.

The road is nicely paved for a few miles as we ride along side what I think to be Granite Creek.

A bit more dirt before making Idaho City … I fuel up the Z as we plot our next leg.

Next …..

In search of new roads – Tres

After a burger at the Cougar Mountain Lodge we jumped the Hwy onto FR 626, which is a nice gravel road that climbs up towards Sage Hen Reservoir.

Twists and turns past firs and pines …. FR 626

…. and through a meadow or two

The winter snow of this past season has left this area’s landscape exceptionally green and the roads continue to be dust free. Still on FR 626

We pass Sage Hen Reservoir and 626 continues west to Hancock Road.

Meadows in bloom …

The day running long we point the bikes south and continue with a fast run down the Ola Highway until we hit Montour.

Finding our route to Johnson Creek blocked by water we rerouted through Horseshoe Bend, Pearl Road, and into North Eagle.

The days riding was fantastic … we experienced both rain and sun on some fun roads and we also found a couple of connecting routes that we had not yet ridden fulfilling the essence of dual sport riding … whats over that next hill or around the next corner?

Until next time ….

In search of new roads – 2nd Half

Once the bikes are properly fueled, or at least the DRZ since the mighty 690 is a tanker …. we headed north along the river. The days forecast called for potential showers of which thus far we have been spared. Until now ….

With the rain starting to fall one would expect moral to drop, but in this case the opposite was true. The rain seemed to transform a section of road I have only had the privilege to pass in the dustiest of conditions. With proper gear worn and water on the road …. the experience was …. different … and almost refreshing.

Left or Right

Our choice for today would be left. According to the map West Fork Creek Rd will connect over the ridge to Clear Creek Road and/or Hwy 55.

The map indicates a few miles of riding to find West Fork Creek Rd (600), but not before passing a cascading creek as it free falls down a drainage opposing the road.

Rd 600, Junction CJ, West Fork Creek

The rain has stopped leaving behind tacky dirt and clean air. We rail up the road following recent side by side tracks who, by the looks of their roost, are enjoying the day same as us.

The road has a few intersections that are not apparent on my map. Each direction recently traveled we flip a coin and choose a direction. We twist and turn making our way back up towards the ridge covering enough ground that we start to second guess the choice of the coin before another intersection comes into view. Clear Creek Road is right, Hwy 55 is left …. as we descend towards Hwy 55 views of Cascade present before us … the clouds against the blue sky and the Green timber contrasting against the receding snow make for quite a view.

Hwy 55 across the valley

We make our way downward eventually coming to a closed gate. As we cross the gate we notice a No Trespassing sign only visible from the opposite direction. Not sure if the road we came down on was private as there were no visible signs up above … we close the gate behind and proceed.

Now connected with Hwy 55 we decide the best route into Cougar Mountain … time for lunch!

In search of new roads – Take 1

“True adventure lies in the road ahead”

I find myself always chasing new roads. Paved roads, dirt roads, improved roads, primitive roads, forest roads …. all roads that lead around the next corner or over the next hill. These are the roads that make adventure. Riding over those hills and around those curves feeds our curiosity to continue riding forward. It entices that seeded sense of exploration that all of us have in one shape or form.

For some time I have wondered about a route that would connect us from the small community of Crouch Idaho, just north of Boise, and over the hill into Long Valley. I know the route exists, this is just country I have not spent much time in other than riding a few of the single track trails in the area.

Our weather the last few days has been scattered with a bit of rain, but is forecasted to start clearing. The call goes out for a ride!

My friend John E answers the call and we plan a meeting spot on Bogus Basin Road with a plan to ride over Bogus and the Ridge Road.

John on the mighty 690 and myself on the Z … we make short work of the fun and twisty 16 mile section to the Bogus basin Ski Area.

Time to break and adjust layers ….

The heat of the Summer had not yet set in …. Winter snow had been holding a tight grip on the high mountain routes with reports of the ridge road just opening up.

The Ridge Road, which I’ve spoken of often as it being a popular connecting route to Garden Valley or Idaho City areas, flows unassuming along the ridge line towards Harris Creek Summit. Along the way you’ll pass a stand of mature Ponderosa Pines that I always have to stop and admire.

The Boise Ridge Road (374) deposits us onto Harris Creek Summit. While dropping down to Harris Creek I spot dust plumes in the distance which is an indicator of an annual event called the Idaho Rally. As cool as the event is I always seem to find myself entangled in their spider web of course selections.

John E and the 690

FR 374

We ride into Placerville to find the town center, more or less a grassy park, to be the staging and pit area for the rally participants. We inquire with the local EMT’s as to which roads are effected by the days events and they confirm that FR 615 over Alder Creek Summit is being kept open into Garden Valley…. that’s a win this being our intended route and a detour could have cost us quite a few miles.

Placerville City Center

Alder Creek Summit

We successfully make it to the Banks/Lowman Hwy. With no traffic and great road conditions we steer the bikes towards Garden Valley/Crouch. We’ll top off fuel before heading up the Middle Fork of the Payette and for me on this day parts unknown.

May Wandering – Wandering Back Over The Hill

A huge part of dual sporting is taking what the road throws at you. Being dead set on one particular route will do nothing but set you up for disappointment and frustration. There is beauty and adventure around each corner. It might just not have been the one you had planned…. the same holds true in life.

Dropping down from Grimes Pass plants me on Rd 382. Road 382 runs parallel along the high flowing South Fork of the Payette in the direction of Garden Valley. Across the river running parallel is the Banks/Lowman Hwy …

Dodging road cones or pine cones …

Running high –

After a few miles I hit the intersection of Rd 615. A quick assessment of fuel status reassures me that I have plenty to make Horseshoe Bend … and maybe home.

I make a quick left turn and twist on the throttle towards Alder Creek Summit. I’ve been along this route many many times before as it is the primary “dirty” connector to Garden Valley. Right at that moment I notice a small memorial off to the left just off the road … again, I’ve been by this way many times and have never noticed this little landmark.

The memorial was put into place for one of the early settlers of Garden Valley. The significance of this individual is unclear other than he worked on a stone carving otherwise known as the George Washington Equestrian Statue … equestrian be horse .. this statue is of a squirrel on a tree? I’ll let you figure this one out …

Squirrel –

I race up Rd 615 towards Adler Creek Summit. The higher I ride more prevalent are the after effects of this years spring run off. Ditches four feet wide and a foot and a half deep run along the roads side…. void of water at this time.

Alder Creek Summit-

Now the ridge track that I had previously tried to traverse off Grimes Pass would have reconnected right at this point. Snow and downed trees be damned … next time!

I make my way through Placerville … passing the two guy’s who I met earlier on their mountain bikes. They indeed made it … I passed by with a wave, the second half of my loop is most likely going to be easier than theirs as they have a ways still to go.

Looking back on Granite Creek-

From here you actually have a couple of options. 1) Continue along Harris Creek Road to Horseshoe Bend …. probably my direction for the day. 2) Continue north along Hawley Mountain Rd … Hawley Mountain is an old decomissioned lookout now functioning as a communications site. 3) South off Harris Creek is the Boise Ridge Road … this takes you up over Bogus Basin and back to Boise.

Harris Creek Summit-

I drop into Horseshoe Bend and again reassess fuel … I’m 99.9% sure that I have plenty to get home, but I tend to be of the discipline … if there is fuel… stop and top off…. I get fuel.

My plan from Horseshoe Bend is to take Pearl Road back into Eagle. Problem is that you would normally need to run a stretch of Hwy 55 over Horseshoe Bend Hill … crazy traffic and all this really is not that enjoyable on the Z. The old hwy diverts off to the right as soon as you exit town making for a nice side track run to the top of the hill … minus all of the crazy ass goggle eyed drivers jockeying for position up the hill as they make their Nascar run out of McCall.

As I make my run up the hill I catch a glimpse of movement off to my right. It’s a Tom fully fanned out obviously trying to impress a lady. I see turkey’s all the time, but the is the first one I’ve actually seen strutting his stuff.

Turkey on cheese-

Looking back on Harris Creek-

Up the hill … old Hwy 55

Residual pack- Bogus Basin

Just following the strip of road ….

I follow Pearl Road as it drops back down to Eagle Idaho …

Great ride today … I was able to scout a few medium high passes (I’m sure the higher ones were still gated and might be so until July), but mainly it felt good to simply get the boots a bit dirty. On the bike for a few hours and 160 miles …. until next time, ride lots, ride safe!

May Wandering – Where thou road turns

“Not all adventures are measured in days or thousands of miles traveled”

Our long winter now behind us and with the oppressive snow steadily receding I decide it’s time to get the DRZ out of the garage. Time today only allows for a short day ride, which is ok. I’ve come to terms that a succession of day rides combined together can equate to longer adventures…. why not?

The loop for today will take me over Adalpe Summit out of East Boise. From there I will work my way north though Clear Creek, up Grimes Creek, and through New Centerville and Pioneerville. I want to see if there are any effects of last years Pioneer Fire along this particular route.

The approach to Rocky Canyon Road-

Rocky Canyon, the dirt begins here-

Top of Rocky Canyon, Adalpe Summit-

The run up to Adalpe was cooler than anticipated. The clouds hung low covering the near ridge line. Sprinkles of rain fell with small puddles present as a sign that more significant rain passed through earlier. My OBR ADV Gear Grip Mitts kept my fingers agile and on the controls.

Forward progress equated to dropping down the east side and heading north towards Clear Creek Summit …

Rd 261

At this point I ran into a couple of guys on mountain bikes who also enjoy a bit of dual sporting. Their adventure today is going to take them into Placerville … my initial thought is that’s quite and ambitious loop! … but they look fit for the day.

Through Clear Creek and up Grimes …

Rd 364

You always here the term “Super Bloom” … but what about “Super Green”

Evidence of tom foolery …

I run up on a group of six or so trail riders also enjoying the day … I’ve ridden my share of trails in the area, but these guys give me sense that there is much more to explore than I realize. I make my way by with a wave and keep on course.

The road twists and turns by New Centerville and proceeds north towards Pioneerville. Traction is at a prime with the DRZ on it’s game. The DRZ is the multi tool of bikes … you can take them any where and they will get the job done … some situations maybe outside it’s comfort zone, but fast two track … this bike is planted and predictable. On the throttle with full drift!

Beaver pond off Rd 382-

High flow-

A bit further up the road I pass an old homestead … I’ve passed here before multiple times, but from the opposite direction and can’t recall these steps? … rode right past I guess.

Evidence of heavy run off is now becoming ever present. Heavy flow within the creek and fairly deep washouts are starting to appear. Residual snow along the hill sides is evidence that Winter is still fighting to retain her grip.

Surprisingly evidence of last years Pioneer Fire has not shown itself … the western flank must be further east. I make my way past the intersection that will take you to Pilot Peak, still snowed in I’m sure, so I head up to Grimes Pass.

Garden Valley from Grimes Pass-

Atop Grimes Pass and behind a fence lies a series of graves. Memorials from way past to reasonably present. The largest being for the gentlemen that the pass is named after, George Grimes. Part of the local mining history I’m sure.

From this juncture I need to decide if I need to drop down into Garden Valley for fuel or take a road from the pass that runs west along the ridge connecting to Alder Creek Summit.

Alder Creek Summit it is, Rd 395

Road 395 is a tight two track that flows west and brushes through ridge top timber. It’s a fun road that gives a sense of solitude and exposure once on top.

The ridge opens up with a view of Garden Valley and the Payette River upstream drainage.

Some of that snow I spotted a bit earlier, up close

Pruning required… I thought this day would contain no yard work?

At this point I’m starting to wonder if passage of this road is an option. I figure that I will clear out just enough to get past this deadfall and see what the road presents. I pull out my folding saw from my OBR ADV Gear Tool Pouch and get to work clearing a path.

…. and about a 1/4 mile up the road

There is still a good 12-18″ in spots. Passage not possible this trip.

The road made up my mind for me … double back and head down Grimes Pass towards the Payette and Garden Valley.

Intermission –