After ski season ended I took some time to rest and square things out around the house. I then started riding in earnest, alas gaining enough fitness I felt ready for a bike tour.
It's been hot, so I figured I'd go high. High in the White Mountains!
I started the tour where the pavement turns to dirt at Schulman Grove. The riding was soon quite nice winding around the crest of the range near the head of Silver Canyon.
My destination for the day was Cottonwood Creek. This is at the pass before the steep descent into Cottonwood.
Lush meadows down in the valley.
Poked around the old McCloud Camp.
Then down valley a bit more
Where I set camp. It was definitely hot in the sun, so the tarp and the natural shade were most welcome.
Once it cooled off in the late afternoon I took a hike downstream on a very faint, often overgrown, trail among fine granite outcrops.
The next morning I rolled out early, taking a short spin up to the trailhead to Granite Meadows. I hiked in on a good trail. Stunning!
I have never seen a patch of columbine as pretty as this one.
As I prepped for the ride out of Cottonwood a couple drove up to the trailhead. The gentleman chatted with me a bit finally exclaiming "it's the most beautiful place in the world!" That morning, for me, it most certainly was.
The climb out of Cottonwood was tough, but after that it was all easy rolling down into, then along Crooked Creek Canyon.
Station Peak.
I headed up to the Deep Springs Cow Camp.
Couldn't find a decent campsite in that area, but I sure enjoyed the scenery.
Rolled back down to Crooked Creek and took one of the better campsites there.
Took an early evening stroll down the road to admire the scene.
Ran into a friend of mine, Adrian, camped with his girlfriend a short distance below me. What a surprise! I hadn't seen anyone all day after the hikers at Granite Meadow.
I got an early start for the last leg of my journey. Riding up Crooked Creek with the soft light was sublime.
The views along the main road south of Crooked Creek weren't too bad either.
Fantastic trip. Hope to do a lot more bikepacking this year. I'll keep posting!
