After a long drive out there, we rolled into some awesome free camping with creek access, visits from local deer, and tons of privacy.
We had a bit of a debacle involving my rear brake, but after a day of going between all of the local bike-shops, we had a solution and so were able to hit the trail that evening for a short introductory ride.
Leaving directly from our camp, we rode Corral Creek, which is an easy 7-mile trail through sagebrush, aspen, and forest.
H riding through a burn, which made for pretty wildflowers.
The next day, we ambitiously headed out to connect several loop rides (Greenhorn Gulch to Mahoney Creek to Lodgepole Gulch and down Imperial Creek = 20 miles). It was a great day but I was probably 'done' at the halfway point...this ride was much more physically and technically difficult, and also over twice the distance. Nonetheless, it was a lot of fun and very beautiful.
B had lots of time to take pics of me (b/c I was so slow!).
Hmmm...is she pushing her bike up the hill?!?
Why yes, I am.
When the hill got steep or just wouldn't stop, I'd do some
idiotic bucking bronco move and end up on the ground...thus, the walking of the bike.
Me again, riding in the aspens.
B at 'the top'...but this ride continued further up another peak.
Finally...going down.
And what a fun & scenic downhill it was!
The next day, we lounged in the sun by the Big Wood river to beat the heat. A bit later in the day, we rode Fox Creek connected to Chocolate Gulch, about 10-12 miles (?).
Amazing views on all of these rides...
just hill after hill that you can ride up & down and around.
The colors in here were marvelous.
Purple flowers against trees burned black, green foliage below,
and blue skies with white puffy clouds above.
Next, we headed to the Stanley area to ride the classic Fisher Creek trail. The uphill was an old road so it was much easier for me (more room to recover from bucking bronco silliness).
At the top, we clipped in and had the BEST downhill ride ever! It is just miles of perfect dirt, open enough that you could let go of the brakes a bit, and with these built-in creek drainages that slowed you down just enough. I actually hooted & hollered in glee on this ride...Brandon didn't hear it b/c he was long gone doing the same thing further down the hill.
Near the end of the ride, you emerge from the woods to a fantastic view of the Sawtooth mountains.
We had a relaxing lunch at Redfish Lake and freshened up with a swim. Then, with some time to kill before dinner, we headed out for another ride.
Having ridden nearly 20 miles earlier, I wanted to take it easy. We took the Basin Creek trail and then jumped off onto the Kelly Creek trail. The first trail was a bit boring, just a doubletrack with a very small uphill grade. But Kelly Creek turned out to be some fun, complete with multiple interesting stream crossings and cattle guards.
Back in town, completely muddy and tired, we went to the Bridge Street Grill and had awesome beer & burgers, while listening to live Bluegrass music. A perfect day...but that's not all...
After dinner, we went to the natural hotsprings near our last ride up Basin Creek. We sat in there until we were hot and super relaxed, then headed back to the campground. A super perfect day.
The next day, we hit the road again, heading for Ten Sleep to climb.
