The Middle Fork Rd twists and turns always alongside the rivers edge acting as a divider between tall granite walls…..
Soft luggage by OBR ADV Gear …
Alexander Flat …..
A quick link somewhat related to the flat as it was used as a camp spot for the CCC right at the tail end of the depression ….
http://www.justinmuseum.com/oralbio/smithmmbio.html
Continuing up stream to Swanholm Rd…
The road up to Swanholm is a few miles up Swanholm Creek Rd, very unassuming, not well marked, and turning off eastward through a series of old logging roads turned ATV trails ….. right before the Barber Flat trail.
My luggage today is a mixture of OBR ADV Gear …. if you are looking for quality and made in the USA … check out OBR. The OBR guarantee!
Continuing on today with an open gate ….
Sun bleached sign warning of a not so maintained road ….
The start of the climb is as I remember, but the further I ascend I take note to how loose and rocky the track has become …. obvious in spots to be more of a creek during the Spring run off. I try my best to maintain some essence of momentum to keep cooling air flowing through my radiators in hopes to avoid any boil over.
The inevitable ….
The bike eventually starts to hiss, so I chose to stop for a cool down in hopes to avoid any actual coolant loss. This isn’t typical for the DRZ, but this climb is steep and loose. I think and 4 stroke minus a cooling fan will run hot. Just be aware and you’ll be able to manage the heat.
While the bike cools I wander about taking in the view as it starts to present itself …
Up trail …
The “rolling over loose softball sized rock” climb up thus far reminds me very much of a ride into Goat Lake taken last season with a friend of mine … Jason.
http://www.trailimage.com/switchbacks-to-goat-lake
The bike cools and the summit calls …..