Notes: SBBCH provided pack support for a wilderness trail crew working trails in the Sawtooth wilderness. I was a last minute addition and went up for the first part of the project. Packed in Saturday – had to turn around due to bad trail and try another trail the next day. Two of the riders (Jon and Terry) headed back home Saturday evening leaving Rob and 5 women. Sunday we went up via Iron Creek TH and made it to the rendezvous site at the greater Sawtooth Lake, elevation 8530. Likely the most wickedly technical trails I’ve ridden. Absolutely gorgeous. My only regret is I couldn’t stay the entire week and help pack them out.
Notes: The kids came over for the eclipse. Dillon wanted to hike and take pictures – Vanessa wanted to ride. Ness and I rode while Dillon hiked. I chose the WRT. It’s picturesque and relatively safe for inexperienced riders. It was the day before the eclipse. Tents were filling up the trail-head and folks were driving on the actual trail. I don’t think they saw the non-motorized signs…
Notes: Rode up to Steck Park for a pre-eclipse recon. I figured it would be full up by now but it was not. They have made preparations for the influx of people; lines of Porti-Pots – garbage cans and fire ban posters every few hundred yards….just no people. I saw a few camps on the other side of the river (Oregon side). I assume the masses of “eclipsicators” will be pouring in later through the weekend.
Notes: Took the dogs for a quick ride on the WRT after work. It felt good to ride Jack after getting him back from my son while J’Lo and I were shooting in Montana. Finally cooled off the last few evenings and made for a comfortable ride. We saw a fox and two bald eagles. Turned dark about 9:30 PM – not ready for the days to get shorter again. Can’t wait to retire and life no longer revolves around work.
Trail: IMO – Pine Creek – Sage Hen Reservoir (North of Ola)
Miles: 30.0
Riders: Circle Four Team – Self – Jones – Dusty
Horses: J’Lo – Zeke – Shooter
Dogs: Shade – Hank – Savannah – Dealer
Notes: An IMO ride north of Ola off FS Road 685. I’m combining all three days of riding. The actual IMO ride was 14.54 miles. We came in 5th place. We might have come in better but J’Lo was out in the back-end and could not lope without breaking into a buck/crow-hop. 🙁 Soo…we walked and trotted most of the way. Hope she heals up before our Montana shoot. Poor girl – hate to see any critter in pain.
Trail: East Pine Crk. Bear Wallow – Halfway Oregon
Miles: 6.52
Ave. Speed: 3.0
Max Speed: 10.0
Riders: Self – Blake
Horses: Jack – J’Lo – Bell Starr – Gold Starr
Dogs: Shade – Hank – Remmi – Purdy
Notes: Managed to eek out a few rides on my “working vacation.” Blake and I went in search of Bear Wallow and once again came up short. Having difficulty finding the trail that cuts across the mountain and leads directly to the reservoir. I’ve been there at least three times – I think the access point I’m used to is now private and gated off.
Notes: Jones wants to put on an IMO in this area. There is some trail maintenance that needs to be done before this can happen. I scoped out the area and took pictures to present to the SBBCH chapter to see if they are willing to work on the trail.
Notes: Headed for the timber to beat the heat. A short ride up Adams creek (Mann Creek area). We rode into a thunderstorm with booming thunder and a nice downpour. Soaked us pretty good but we dried out about the time we got back to the trailers. Jon rode Jack so I didn’t have to pony J’Lo. Nice evening for a ride despite the creepy cannibalistic migrating Mormon crickets. *shudder* Hank enjoyed chasing them – at least somebody was entertained by them.
Notes: A little buggy in spots but not terrible. We rode in the evening to avoid the heat of the day. Left the dogs at home thinking we might long trot/lope but ended up at a good brisk walk most of the way. The dogs would have been fine.
The girls made up stories as if they were transported to 1867. One was an orphan riding the trail of revenge in search of outlaws who killed her family. Two fur trappers turned in their snares for masks and took to robbing banks. I guess by 1867 the fur trade had dwindled. The other, a former pony express rider turned gambler after decommission of the Pony Express in 1861.
There really is something about the WRT that sparks the imagination.
Notes: Expanded our team by two guest riders – Teri M. and Kathy. Teri became a member and we look forward to seeing her at future races. We placed second – finding all five markers in 4 hours, 14 minutes and 44 seconds. Circle 4 rocks! The ride managers (Christine and Lee) put on a super fun and creative ride with a cowboy theme complete with Roy Rogers, cowboy boots, hats, bandanna’s and an empty bottle of Jack Daniels as bearing points. The best part was a cooler full of Icy-Pops free for the taking at marker #5 for hot and tired IMO’ers.
