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Well, this was a good one. I was a bit worried that we'd have more trouble for two reasons: we weren't all leaving together and this winter has added a lot of snow and water in the mountains. But Friday went well enough and we all connected. The track in Tehama had a washout and I rode down to the water to take a look. We kicked around trying to make it through, but we agreed the other side had too steep of an exit. So we routed around back to Red Bluff and then reconnected to the track. This is a fun track. It's really pretty and rolls into the hills and then connects on some dirt to 36. From there we boogied up to Platina. I was on full boogie and it was super fun. We got to our Beegum Gorge turn and collected our group: Scott, Kurt, Pete, Alan, and Dorian. We ran this up past the temple and of course there was a gate and the track wouldn't work. We saw a monk and chatted with him. He was out exercising. We decided to go back to 36, talk it over, and eat some ridiculous italian sandwiches that Dorian and Emily made. I taught everyone the sandwiches song. Sandwiches are beautiful, sandwiches are fine, I like sandwiches I eat them all the time. I eat them for my supper I eat them for my lunch, if I had 100 sandwiches I'd eat them all at once.
We texted the group to head to the next left turn on the track. We'd ride the track backward. This in fact worked for us, BUT it went bad too. We ended up on this little two track deep in the woods. The track ended. But there was a pretty sweet campground here. However, we would have trouble making sure the late group would get to us. So, we decided to head back to the big campground that was open earlier on the track. Ironically, I called the forest service and the gal said all the campgrounds were still closed due to snow, when in fact this huge campground was open and it was awesome. We grabbed number 12, texted the group, and settled in. Swen arrived first. I had hung my Motosandjeeps yellow vest up at the gate, just in case. Kind of nice to have that! The Rigby brothers came next in their white jeeps. One of those is very loud. Then the Garey men showed up in Brad's Foreskinrunner.
We had a grand time. Poker, chatting, getting to know Scott Rigby, checking out gear, and then mowing through a great dinner of burgers. Meals are something, that is for sure.
The next day we had our normal leasurely pace getting ready. Dorian got us all going with eggs, bacon, and potato hash. Yums for sure. We headed back to the 36 to head to Hayfork, but I came upon this cut through road...said Hayfork 19 miles. In all my years of riding up there I have never ridden this one. It was nothing short of fabulous. All paved, but twisty and tight and beautiful. Some campgrounds along there too.
Got into Hayfork and fueled up. Headed toward the offroad track to Hyampom. This dirt was amazing, but sadly, turned to too much snow. We got the bikes through the first section, but the jeeps struggled. We then came upon a much longer section and at that point decided to turn back. This was fun though because we spent about an hour and a half at this big opening and the jeep guys goofed off, we shot some guns, and had bbq hotdogs. When we were shooting, Diesel, Dorian's dog, was going crazy. He wanted to do his job and get the bird. It was super cute. Never seen that before from him.
We decided to head back and see if our original Friday night camp was clear of snow. We now are calling this Washout camp. This is our second time there and it really is a keeper. It's just in the woods. No tables or facilities, but that makes it sort of even better.
It was all clear and we settled in a little before 4. I explored a little more alone, but the snow was up there for sure. The second night is always a little quieter I think. I had to rally some fellers to stay up a little late....like 10. So funny. Brad brought a bunch of SNB beer and a Big Foot was just the late night ticket.
Scott roamed around before it got dark and did some filming. You can see that film somewhere.
Sunday was Sunday. We had a quiet start and then did a little exploring...but that track ended with a fallen log. We turned around and called it quits. But we hung out at this bridge for about half an hour and that was super cool. Nice to not feel rushed to hammer home on a Sunday. Though Scott probably did feel that. Off to Red Bluff and home. Kurt and Alan and I had a beer along the side of the road before we got into Red Bluff. That was super cool.
So that is a wrap. Great ride weekend. Beautiful country. Great tracks, keeper campgrounds. We got a good thing going here fellas. Let's keep it going until we cannot any longer. Cheers. Hope to see you on the next one.
Today is Tuesday, before the Friday departure. We have, thus far, these planned attendees: Dorian, Rig, Alan, Jim and son Brad, Kurt, Scott, Pete, and possibly Merced for Saturday. I feel pretty solid about all the plans and tracks. My only big wonder is how much snow will be melting off this week and how that impacts the tracks as well as Friday camp. Friday camp in the woods is at 3600. My guess is it will be fine after all this warm weather. At his point we have guys arriving at different times. SO, the early group: Pete, Alan, Dorian, Kurt, and Scott (?) will arrive the earliest and then assess. IF a change needs to take place for camp, we'll get to cell service and work that out. We know there is cell service just past the campground track up on the 36. The Friday T1 has a loop near Paskenta that takes us past two campgrounds, both of which are at about 2200 feet. The trouble is they are likely gated. However, there is also a campground near Mad River that could work too. BUT, as of today, the plan is to focus on making Friday Camp as of now, which we stayed at last October. It's in the woods by a creek and very nice.
Tracks
Day 1
Paved: Fast track to camp on the 36
Day 2
Hyampom General Store and Tavern
Hayford to Hyampom offroad option
As you look at that file, you'll basically see everything all at once. That's fine. We know the first section all works great because we have ridden it before. The new one is the one from Mad River up and over to Hyampom.
At this point, here's what I'm thinking. Either A, we keep Friday night's camp the same that we did on the October ride, in the woods, at the kink in that track. However, it's at 3600 feet. Depending on the melt in the next week, that might still be too high. Another option: there are two campgrounds around 2200 feet on the second loop you'll see...that's out of Paskenta. Those might be a better choice. Third option? There's actually a Mad River campground not far from the burger joint. It's low....like 1200. BUT, if we are not all together for Friday, we can't wing it. So, let's see how attendance comes together. If we are all together, then we can just explore and camp wherever it seems good. If we are having late attendees, we'll have to choose a spot that will work for sure. More on this as we get closer.
Saturday night's camp is low, so that's not an issue. As for Sunday, like in October, we make our way home in whatever fashion seems to suit us best. I'm actually kicking around taking Monday off for this weekend, rather than Friday....we shall see.
Check those routes and see what you think. Meanwhile, we'll continue to fine tune our daily destinations.
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