Tooth-rattling Good Fun/ Long Little Ski Hill Loop - June 19, 2007

Gordy on the first downhill portion, before you get to Fish Lake. The road wasn't as rocky here.
Admiring Fish Lake. The two gentlemen fishing were the only people (and the only car) we saw all day.
Big Creek Meadow. From here you turn left and climb up the side of Red Ridge.
Lets just say that the longer Little Ski Hill loop in the Mountain biking McCall book is not one of my favorites. Parts of it were really fun, but over all the elevation gains & rattling over miles of rocks on the downhill portions, (OK and climbing over loose rocks!) just didn't balance out for me. On a full suspension bike it might have been better. We had absolutely perfect riding weather- nice sunshine with a gentle breeze that kept us from getting too hot or too buggy.

We found a nifty website that lets you upload your GPS recorded route to a google earth map & add pictures at various waypoints....as soon as we have time we will add that to this post in case anyone with a full suspension bike would like to try it.

Good things about the 18 mile loop:

1. Incredible wildflower viewing

2. The air smells wonderful up there!

3. The only car we saw was parked at Fish Lake

4. The sound of a flock of sheep baa-ing somewhere near by

5. Great scenery

Downside to the loop:

1. 1200 some feet in elevation gain

2. 1200 some feet in elevation gain over loose rocks that make it difficult to gain traction, and fly off your back tires creating a hazard for the person behind you

3. most of the downhill portions were over rocky terrain

We did not take quite enough water. I had my 72 oz camelbak + a 32 oz bottle, Gordy had a 100 oz camelbak. Both camelbaks were dry by mile 10. Lesson learned!