liv2day
Platinum Level Site Supporter
A Tillamook State Forest fix was needed after riding China Hat and McCubbins the last two times out on my GG200; so I headed out with a few buddies to stage from Diamond Mill.
For the first time ever, I was actually early to the staging area and found it completely empty - only a couple of campers tucked away in the back. It didn't take long for the guys to show up, but I did learn that unloading from the back of the truck isn't a good idea unless you have a stool - or go the smart way and backup to the unloading "dock"...lol. Don't have the cohones to try and do what my buddy Jim does...just not that well balanced (on many levels...lol).
The original loop I planned had been somewhat modified after learning that it would only involve 35ish miles; we tacked on another 15 and it would have been even more if someone's tractor hadn't hit reserve...lol.
Headed out to Plastic Downhill and enjoyed the climb up. From there, it was logging road over to one of the "new" trails marked 136 on the map. Just learned that's named Spaur Ridge, which seems odd since Spaur Creek is on the other side of Hwy 6, but I'm no geographer...lol. That trail's a blast and is always going to be on any loop I do heading that direction...unless I'm told otherwise
Finished that fun and it was up the root-infested challenge of Arrowhead. Didn't huck myself into the weeds too many times and made it over to Stumpy. My buddy Jim was having a heck of a time adjusting to his 4T after so much fun on his 2T; the good news is I captured some of that on camera...lol. I didn't use him as traction on the loose rock climb up Stumpy, but it was damn close
Up Elk Wallow and then did both loops of Summit; because Bill wanted to throw in some additional spice. From there it was Diamond Mill Ridge...so much fun. I did have a close encounter with the embankment after deflecting off a rock - going to seriously consider getting a steering damper for the bike as I've had a couple of close calls. Anyway, finished that epic trail and headed up Cramlets. As you can see, we ascended into the clouds - or maybe it was just the fog.
For the first time ever, I was actually early to the staging area and found it completely empty - only a couple of campers tucked away in the back. It didn't take long for the guys to show up, but I did learn that unloading from the back of the truck isn't a good idea unless you have a stool - or go the smart way and backup to the unloading "dock"...lol. Don't have the cohones to try and do what my buddy Jim does...just not that well balanced (on many levels...lol).
The original loop I planned had been somewhat modified after learning that it would only involve 35ish miles; we tacked on another 15 and it would have been even more if someone's tractor hadn't hit reserve...lol.
Headed out to Plastic Downhill and enjoyed the climb up. From there, it was logging road over to one of the "new" trails marked 136 on the map. Just learned that's named Spaur Ridge, which seems odd since Spaur Creek is on the other side of Hwy 6, but I'm no geographer...lol. That trail's a blast and is always going to be on any loop I do heading that direction...unless I'm told otherwise
Finished that fun and it was up the root-infested challenge of Arrowhead. Didn't huck myself into the weeds too many times and made it over to Stumpy. My buddy Jim was having a heck of a time adjusting to his 4T after so much fun on his 2T; the good news is I captured some of that on camera...lol. I didn't use him as traction on the loose rock climb up Stumpy, but it was damn close
Up Elk Wallow and then did both loops of Summit; because Bill wanted to throw in some additional spice. From there it was Diamond Mill Ridge...so much fun. I did have a close encounter with the embankment after deflecting off a rock - going to seriously consider getting a steering damper for the bike as I've had a couple of close calls. Anyway, finished that epic trail and headed up Cramlets. As you can see, we ascended into the clouds - or maybe it was just the fog.
