M and M

Plural: cow and calf Moose and Mosquitoes at Greenhorn TH today.

Today I mostly retraced the ride Steve lead up Mahoney then down Cow. I changed the exit to ride Cow Connector which shortened the ride. I ride behind Steve on the climbs staying on his wheel. I ride differently when I ride by myself. I climb more with Steve. Parking lot had the most number of cars I have seen until my return to a crowd. Anyway, climbed up Mahoney pushing my bike and or resting as required. I do pedal. The on to Cow Creek which undulates on the mountain side: short downs followed by slight uphills. Tree cover is scattered aspen and scattered conifers. I entered a meadow which caused a burst of dark color to bolt. I stopped and it stopped. It was a moose yearling. Its mother just became alert. We watched each other till she lead out off the downhill side of the trail.

Mon and child

Their path went over a slight pass, the back side leading down to a small pond(?). I watched them enter the basin then quit moving to my eye. Moose to water.

Arrowhead balsamroot
FS camp, straight away from Cow, elevation difference 800′

Downhill grade is almost climbable. Below grade with short vegetation that blocks seeing around the next bend. Sometimes an embeded rock bounced over. My finish on Cow creek connector was nowhere near as much fun if I would have finished on Greenhorn. Next time.

Yesterday Steve lead a Fox creek area ride. We picked up a shorter loop of his trade route. Woods dirt with sage cover, some rock, what goes down came from climbing up. Big 175′ per mile. Tree cove of groves of lodgepole and doug fir. Very pleasant.

Steve

Bridge over Fox Creek is still washed out from last year. Walked a log while shouldering my bike. Steve jumped.

Dallied at parking lot then drove to Y in Ketchum for a shower then down to Hailey. Dinner at KBs then a beer at Power House. I slept at Hailey visitor parking lot. which is right at the end of the runway. Undisturbed sleep.

Down at Steve’s for the night.

Short rides with big climbs. Sedona trails challenged with constant tech features, short uphills. Here the trails are not technical but have long climbs steeper than Sedona. Woods dirt vs slick rock and sand.