Bloated Skiing: May 2013

May 31, Climb Prospector Wall / Ride Rendezvous Loop - Mazama

It was dual sport day. Cimbed a couple routes on Prospector Wall (Stairstepper 5.7 & Sidestepper 5.8) in the morning, then did a sweet new loop out of Mazama - Rendezvous Loop.

Don rappels off Stairstepper, 5.7

Kevin

Don, Sidestepper 5.8

Don got a new trail recommendation from the bike shop, Rendezvous loop. We were all eager to ride something new. Again, after the recent rain, the trails were in the best shape ever. We rode by two sweet huts, Gardner and Rendezvous Hut on our route. The last trail descent even had some bermed corners. Once we reached the car, Kevin & Don continued down, to explore some trails that weren't on our map. They rode downhill while Francine drove the car down. The boys dropped down on narrow, tight benched trail, crossed a road ( I had no idea where they were), and just as the next trail dropped onto another road, Francine drove by. She didn't see Kevin, who was squawking at her to stop. But, she faintly heard a human voice and stopped. Kevin was sure she was going to just drive on by. That would be a chance in a million to see the car, after dropping some unknown trail for a mile or so. Sweet day. The legs were sure tired. 10.5 miles + 1.2 miles downhill bonus trail.

Don

Francine

May 30, Buck Mt. loop, Winthrop Wa.

Smooooth. Trail was in the best shape we have ever seen.

Don Hecker cruising.

Francine

May 29, Pipestone Canyon - Twisp, Wa.

First day in Winthrop headed to Pipestone Canyon.

Francine and Don head up Pipestone Canyon

Kevin and Francine

We tried to sneak in a ride before the afternoon rain came. We arrived in Winthrop around 1pm and wanted an easy ride . Don asked us where we wanted to ride. We had never ridden Pipestone Canyon. We didn't realize the climb we had to get on top of the ridge. Unfortunately, the skies opened up as we hit our descent to the car. About 9 miles.

May 27, Silver Peak Basin and Lake Annette

I rolled out of bed a little late this morning. I stayed up a little too late with the last book in the Twilight series. About the time my first cup of coffee was ready, I received a text from Silas; "Silver Peak now? Windy Pass road is in good shape. Steps out of Annette were put in yesterday. Easy peasy." Well, easy peasy always sounds good, and the trails were too wet for Mt. biking. I gathered together my gear and started driving for the trailhead. The road was well potholed, and I tried to not bounce off into the trees. I hit snow, perhaps a quarter mile from windy pass. I managed to catch the Silas gang at their highpoint, the ridgeline between Silver Peak basin and Lake Annette. We enjoyed smooth turns to slightly below the lake, approx. 1,800 feet of vertical. Great run! Unfortunately not very "easy peasy" to get out. We took off our skis and started the long boot back to the top. Snow was a little thicker as we descended the silver peak basin and visibility had gotten worse. As we returned to our cars, everyone was quite damp from the steady drizzle. Much better than sitting on the couch!