Went out exploring a wonderful section of trail for a half day. Just a little solo mission. An excuse to take some pictures, really. I know of some local hardcores that cover some serious mileage in this mountain range and the one across the river. They make me look pathetic, really, but I love taking these pictures, especially since every ride I post here could be the last time I legally get to ride it. I figure I had better document the good ole days now before it becomes criminal.
The ride starts by winding up some wide track techie rock and root gnar through the forest. Some parts were steep hike a bike rock and root gnar. Seriously moto and horse fucked. All very fun on the way down, just not pretty.
After a few miles of that stuff, it opens up around treeline and becomes a nice singletrack. The wildflowers were jaw dropping up there.
Emigrant peak:
Yeah, no joke, it was like this for acres and acres:
Looking back towards the next objective. A loop circles back and climbs to the top of this hill:
Up:
Looking back down the range:
Some sections were barely worn in, but still perfectly rideable.
Then you join the main trail that is more established and goes for 20 miles along the crest of the mountains. The section I did was just a few miles out and back. It was nice cross country riding with beautiful views that were partially ruined by increasing smoke. Sorry.
Where I turned around. The trail contiues and is rumored to get pretty rugged and not my type of riding. Why carry the bike when there is not a sweet downhill involved? I'd rather just hike.
The whole picture:
Smoky scenic. The view west was much worse, but let me tell you, it would be amazing on a clear morning. Huge vertical relief 5000' down and then back up to some of the greatest mountains in the area.
The way back:
Going back, the trail wraps around this ridge point. It is nice:
And then there was a beautiful and fun descent back to the forest on a different slightly different trail than I came up on. It was so sweet that I went back up and did 1/3 of it again.
Getting smokier. I can taste it.
Back into the forest: This was not meadow skipping, I assure you. Here are some of the more photogenic sections.
So thats all. Hopefully the pictures entertain some of you. Kind of a weak TR, I know. More action to come when my cast of characters can ride with me again. Vacations and 9 to 5 jobs are taking their toll on my buddies at the moment.
On another note, a guy I had met at the trailhead had just finished a HUGE ride and was giving me all kinds of information on the more obscure and/or committing adventures in the area. Thanks dude. It's nice to talk with some one who has done it all. There is so much awesome riding out there, it's ridiculous. He also told me that Blackmore will be the first to go in Hyalite because a group of gonzo downhillers blasted by a Forest Service trail crew at work without even slowing down. WTF? Who are these people? I don't know any of them, but that shows you what a few idiots can accomplish.
He also let me know his disdain for people that take pictures and put them in magazines and on the internet. Oh well. I enjoy this sharing community and it's not like this place is overrun with out of state bikers. Hopefully I am being respectful enough in my sharing of these very special places. I have faith that the 95% majority of people who would visit a place like this would be responsible visitors and leave no trace. I hope the other 5% just enjoy the pictures. And also, I believe that the holy grail of land use is:
Spread recreational use out as much as possible, Encourage people to be adventuresome and get them out using all of this wonderful public land that hardly has any visitors, including hikers. Concentrated use sucks period. It's Montana get out there and find something new once a week! We can share the high use areas, and that is working fine, but that condition will deteriorate when we are forced out of the (underused) backcountry trails around here. Thank you.
Also, while driving out on the dirt road, while approaching a switchback at 7500 feet in a 20 year old clear cut, a grizzly bear jumped out of the woods and ran full speed less than 100 feet in front of my car for about 4 seconds and then was gone off the switchback before I got there. Never seen an animal run that fast in my life. That is the first time I have seen a Griz outside of Yellowstone. Be careful out there and bring bear spray. That was about the last place I expected to see one.
you have some gorgeous trails up there.
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