Sand creek that is and I have my bike. Yesterday after taking care of town support I drove out to TH for Devils Gulch which is back up Mission Creek, the trail stays in name sake drainage. At the TH a guy wearing an Evergreen something was loading an ebike and bob into his truck. We / I struck up a conversation, Evergreen is paying him to do trail work. Grants were obtained for funding. He rode 6 miles up to retrieve a track from their motorized hauler. Remember, 6 miles up from bottom. They were brushing. Weather forecast had no precip in it. I have been packing a wool long underwear top for extra clothing. But no wind shell or rain jacket.
Devils gulch loop is equal lengths of road climb to downhill single track. My rides start at the bottom and finish at the same bottom. It’s what is in between means something. I have ridden this loop many times over the years, it’s one of my favorite trails.
The climb is gravel road 2 miles till it turns onto abandoned FS road heading up the creek. At first the trail is cleared for a side by side, even almost graded. What’s up with this as it is a big improvement for easier pedaling. However, the creek washed out the narrow bottom blocking whatever had made the trail wider. Trail enters into private land and the trail becomes closed beat FS road. Ever upwards, left leg right leg push down on pedals at their turn. Grunt. 1 hr 20 mins I make an overlook where I always take a breather.
I went to altered state before leaving seeking bliss or at least distraction during the climb. At the break I Squirted my dry chain which seemed to make the stroke go faster. While the water based lube was soaking in I was soaking in 7 more worry be gone hits then finished the climb. Must have been second wind kicking in as I made it to the top trailhead. During the ride I watched rain threatening clouds move in. But no rain was forecast. Rain would be much appreciated because of a drought here also. I noticed the usual weeds had died at the state where they could pull up no more water. At the high spot sprinkles started falling, I sheltered under cover while taking on nourishment. I pedaled away after solid 2 hrs 11 mins to go 11 miles climbing 2887’ effort. It seemed over the years there had been several burns separated by green.
A gentle rain was falling while I was under burned snag cover. I was getting wet. There were even left over small muddle puddles. The joy of this trail is the 11.6 miles dropping 2822’ all on single track. I squeezed thru many tight brushy spots picking up more water. I was getting cold as coasting doesn’t warm muscles plus wind velocity. I stopped well in time to yield to an uphill pedaler, the only person I saw. 5 miles down I saw the trail cart loaded with brush cutters. Soon I would coast thru an open corridor which because the brush was cut like 3’ each side of trail it became a corridor. Then there were interspersed uncut sections. Brushing is really appreciated but the result is a butch haircut. Maybe just cut a foot each side which would give clearance and the rough feel it had. The brush is more dense from last time I rode here several years ago. The trail has been ridden by dirt bikes for years, Experience here is dirt bikes make non technical features except for whoops. Somewhere down lower clouds parted and no rain. Took 1 hr 13 mins for get back to start. Elevation gain was 129 feet per mile.
I finished like almost 6 PM. Hasty drive down stream to Sand Creek road then up the creek to a TH for Red Hill and Red Devil, staged for tomorrow’s ride. Quick dinner then a washcloth wipe down.
40 degrees this wake up. Ran the heater. Loitered this morning as I had all day to complete this loop of figuring 13 miles. The ride started off with a climb and climbing on narrow ridden in dirt bike track. Bench cut on steep sidehill. This year I stopped several times for a blow. Fast bike but aging engine. Trail enters private land that was clear cut several years ago. Clear cut means nothing is left standing.
Pedal thru that waste land to reenter public land still treed. Trail gradient is all doable, it’s just the distance. Turn onto dashed blue line on Trailforks meaning a trail but condition uncertain yet there is an old wooden FS sign pointing the way to Devils gulch, my destination. I have ridden this ride several times over the years giving me experience to recall. Trail is real fast going down on same narrow bench cut steep sidehill mostly smooth tread. Seat slammed down, weight firming placed on feet with heels dropped, arms bent, index fingers guarding respective brake levers, with head up looking ahead. Great brakes for modulating speed.
Arrive down on Devils gulch for a short piece before turn on to Red Devil with its climbs. Scenic exposed with lots of climbing on same type of tread. I encountered a tree across the trail, top was prolly 40”, to me it appeared a dirt bike was lifted across. It was a challenge for me. Continuing I came upon the blocker for dirt bikes. For me I struggled to get both my bike and me over. I made it contrary to dirt bikes.
Trail really puts beat on me. The ride was 12.9 miles climbing 2825’, like 229’ per mile.
Saw this interesting something.
I suspect a squirrel had chewed off the branch with undeveloped pine cones then dropped them onto trail. Amazing that the cuttings are lined out.
Back at my van a bright shiny new red car was parked just beyond door swing distance. WTF? Friend Steve doesn’t even park that close. The guy arrived later and I ignored him as I was just so pissed about his lack of distancing that I could not speak. I turned up the radio volume on Outlaw Country station before he arrived hoping that the music selections would piss him off enough to not hang around. He changed clothes then drove off.
This morning before riding I filled my tree sprayer from the creek and sprayed off my dirty bike.
Spending the night here again.
Fruit flies have invaded my van. Dunno if they came on the one peach I bought or if they are so plentiful that they just showed up. They did take life ending dip into my wine glass. I finished their life in my digestive track.