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Stateline Trail epic
Heh, 30 mile epic.
Hubby and I had scoped out this trail in August, the stateline trail runs on the crest of the Idaho/Montana divide., at the top of the Bitterroot range. We'd ridden up a drainiage close to the divide early this summer, and were looking for loops.
We started at Hoodoo Pass, rode 6 miles along the crest at tree line, through some gorgeous meadows and views. I had a little trouble with the elevation on the fall line climbs ( 7000') but so did my partner. We did some pushing. Awesome!! Then steep and technical down to the lake where we picked up another trail, 8 miles of rolling forest mellow grade high speed down, through cedars, pines, meadows and waterfalls.
We finally came out on a forest road. Since we didn't shuttle the ride, this now meant we had a 17.5 mile ride back up to the pass. Nice easy grade 5 miles down, then we hit some chip seal and had 12 miles back up to the pass. It wasn't hard, just long. But we had the late afternoon sun at our back, and the road follows a beautiful creek.
I wanted to thumb, but then I realized that my odometer was about to roll over and there's no way I'd jeapordize that. So, onemile from the pass I hit 1K!!1 This is since last july on my new bike, 700 of it this summer, over 90% single track. Woo-hoo.
We hit the pass just as the sun was going down, just before we all were on the verge of bonking.
Photos to follow later.
Irulan
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Sounds like an absolutely beautiful ride, Irulan. You are so lucky to have those place to ride. I thoroughly enjoy hearing about it. And congrats on your 1K!! That is a large amount of miles off-road! And think of all the fun you had doing it and the memories you've made. It makes even the toughest rides worth it.
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All awesome pics! I especially like the last one, with the flame-red foliage in the background. Just beautiful!
Looks like it was a bit cool on your ride. Long-sleeves and tights weather. I'm not ready for that but we're getting it here, too.
Off to spin.........
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gotta keep the "mountain " in mountain biking. It was a very nice day, but the wind at 6500' can be a little intense especially if you are sweaty at all.
I won't hit the spin classes until the nasty weather hits, I cannot stand to be inside if it's halfway decent at all.
Irulan
