August 1, 2013 – Hood River Day 1 - Post Canyon

Camping in style.  Great house in upper Hood River.

We originally planned on riding in Baker City, Oregon, with Don and Val.  Unfortunately, Don's dad got sick, and that weekend was off.

Where to go?  Thought about Vancouver Island, BC, but this weekend is a Canada 3 day weekend, so Canada was out.  We seriously got the last house for rent in Hood River.  The town is full.   We arrived in Hood River this afternoon, checked in to our house, and headed out for a ride around 4pm.  We parked at the “Post Canyon Staging area”, the lowest parking lot.  After the ice storm a couple of years ago, the mile or so section of trail starting at this parking area was closed off by the property owner.  So, we climbed the road about a mile.  Rode up Seven Streams (#100) to the 100Loop trail.  We rode up to the Family Man area.  Rode around a little on the wood skinnies, and made our way out 8Track (#150).  The Seven Streams trail below 8Track was real beat up and hammered, but  Once we hit 8Track, trail conditions improved.  As we climbed, we skipped The Boot Loop (lazy) as we wound and climbed and grunted our way to Upper 8Track.  They have done an amazing job making steep, climbable trails.  Did we mention that it was windy and cold up here?  Who would have guessed we could have used more clothing?

Now for the descent on Bad Motor Scooter (#158).  This is a new trail, made in the freeride fashion, with berms and steep up and downs in between the bermed corners.  Was a little bumpy.  Crossed Riordan Road and headed down on GP (still #158).  At the intersection with #105, we opted for the XC (Cross Country oriented trail, as opposed to the Freeride version of GP, and went right on #105, to #120 where we started descending.  Hit Road 1200, went right for 50 feet and went left on #118 and continued descending.  Came to a new intersection to us, with Charley’s Trail (#120L).  We missed the L, which means loop.  This super narrow singletrack wound around back to point we had already been.  Below us, we could see the trail we wanted to be on to get back to the car.  Took the connector down to the 100L trail, and retraced our steps back to the car.

Fun ride, but we are used to these trails in April or May, when they are tacky and damp, and less beat up.  Trail conditions kept you on your toes with the clay, roller ball bearings, adding excitement to the off camber sections.  13 miles.

Francine forges through the brush
on Charleys trail.

Francine plans the next ride.