Factoid: Since Jan 1, 2014 I have traveled thru 22 states, ridden in 20. Today was Idaho’s turn.
Park City Mid Mountain trail was too wet to ride, made a pass and kept going.
Yesterday in spite of the 60% probability of rain I drove back up to Snow basin and rode Sardine Peak loop. Trail was buffed out, the difficulty arose from the climb which was all doable. I rode up to the Ogden view point:
I do not have a belly in spite of the above.
from below this is what the part of the ride looked like:
trail is visible traversing across the upper part of the peak. Descent was smooth and a few berms. Over and done.
Packed up and headed down to the SLC valley floor. Found an Anytime Fitness facility in Ogden for a shower. I continued my drive N and W to Kimberly, ID and then out to Indian Springs TH. I have ridden here over the years. I cancelled my frige service to save driving to Pocatello then back over to Sun Valley. I checked the forecast for Kimberly which called for no rain and highs in the 80s. The trails are full on sun exposure w/ no shade. Plan is to ride early then head for Hailey. I made the TH.
A rig bearing a mountain bike pulled up in the TH. It was Jim, one of the original trail builders here. We have met several times over the years. we chatted about the trail conditions. At issue is not mud from the rain but the erosion. He rode off to check the trails out. Upon his return he told of deep treacherous water carved ruts in the trail. He gave me a route to ride today. Short ride but w/ little runoff damage. Trails were user created b4 the BLM adopted them. At issue is whether legal “trail” restoration will be allowed.
Today I awoke at usual 6:45 and turned on Bob Edwards on XM. The control panel of the fridge is right @ my head. I perceived a different reading than norm. Shit, the code read failure. I ran out of propane which means unrefrigerated food and no breakfast. Fortunately the temps were in 50s and the fridge must have just shut off. I drove back into Kimberly seeking propane. I learned that closest place was a ways down the road, I bought propane there b4. Today the hookup wouldn’t tighten down which allowed propane to escape not in the tank. Darn. Next stop was Uhaul which usually has propane. Their connection was typical and filling occurred. The fridge temp stayed just @ 40. I stopped in a parking lot and fixed bfast, cleaned up, then drove back to Indian Springs for my ride.
I encountered jagged wheel catching gulleys carved by the runoff water. I only rode Jim’s suggestion so I did not experience the deep gulleys he found elsewhere last night.
I took a shower @ another ATF then drove to Hailey like 70 miles away. By the time I reached Hailey my wash cloth was dried stiff: little humidity and 80 degree temps.
Checked in @ Sun Summit South, Chip’s shop. Seasonal slow down only requires Chip. Bob Bergdahl works there. He is the father of Bowe, the imprisoned US soldier in Afghanistan. Got to pay attention to see if yellow ribbons are still tied around trees and utility poles.
Doing my laundry.
Last summer’s forest fire devastated trails outside Hailey then monsoon rains fell washing down dirt. Miles were lost. Chip said that volunteers and govm’t help has restored many miles. What remains require mass effort to bring back. My camp spot out on Democrat Gulch is closed. Next place to camp is way up outside of Ketchum. Labor Day weekend, going to be crowded. I will stay @ Steve’s south of Bellvue. Going to pal around w/ Steve who is now retired. He bought a Sprinter and has been logging touring miles.
Sept 11 is my dentist appointment in Spokane. I will ration my days so that I can ride Butte and Helena b4 Spokane.
August the 12th I was in deciduous trees in Minnesota.
From 1,300′ to 7,000′ elevation.