Hiking with the Goofball

Gibson and I went for a pretty long (12 mile) hike / climb yesterday. We headed out Oh-Be-Joyful Creek into the Raggeds Wilderness. We got kind of a late start but I still thought we might try to gain Oh-Be-Joyful Pass and if time and weather permitted try to summit on Richmond (about 12,500 ft). We made really good time getting up to Democrat basin in about 2.5-3 hours but were disappointed to see the pass trail covered in snow. Rather than risk a nasty fall (I was wearing glorified sneakers) on the exposed pass I decided to push as high on Richmond as possible before being turned back by snow. We got to within a couple of hundred feet of the summit, ate lunch, and then proceeded down. I decided to have a little fun on the way down so I took out my poncho, made a makeshift sled, and glissaded about 1000 or so feet back to the basin floor. Gibson thought this was for his benefit and tried to ride down on my head. Here's some pictures from our 5 hour day:

The mellow valley hike along OBJ Creek. Richmond is the rocky summit on the right in the distance.

Here's the view of Democrat Basin from its entrance.


Gibson enjoying the wildflowers in the basin. He probably hiked 5 times further than I did.

Looking South once we had entered the basin. The prominent rock peak is Garfield and the snow covered saddle to the right is Star Pass. I am planning on doing a loop over that once the snow melts.

A view of the summit of Richmond from our lunch spot and high point on the hike. Too much snow to make the summit without decent boots...Next time.

Emerald Lake

Kim, Gibson, and I drove up to Schofield Pass yesterday because I wanted to show Kim Emerald Lake. It is a pretty wild place up near the alpine and is the starting point for the most famous CB ride called the 401. I had ridden the 401 on Sunday and saw the lake below me and wanted to show Kim. Anyhow, here are a couple of pics.

Gibson went swimming - what a surprise! The pass is the low saddle in the trees.

The lower flanks of Mt. Baldy still holding some snow.

Some pictures from a hike with Kim

Kim and I went for a nice walk to the falls on Oh-Be-Joyful Creek this am.

Gibson poised to chase a rock into the swift current at Gunsight Bridge

Kim and Peter at the middle stretch of the falls.

The trail out with a great view of the ski area peaking out from the trees (Yes it really is that steep).

Quick photos from a CB classic

Went for what is considered one of the top ten rides here in CB yesterday. The ride is called the Deer Creek trail and is over 30 miles round trip. Went with a pretty large group and we made a day of it with 3+ hours of riding and then pulled straight into the Eldo for a little "stink and drink". Beer, the ultimate recovery drink. Anyhow it didn't seem to hurt as I did one of the best rides ever today. A two hour climb up to Doctor's Park followed by a solid hour of both buff and technical singletrack right back to the car. I am actually off to do a second ride today just because it is so damn beautiful out. Here's some photos from Deer Creek.

Views of Teocalli Mtn on the climb

The low saddle on the left below the dark forest is the top of the climb.

Looking across the East River Valley back to the ski area.

Something different every day

Ok - sorry for the really long gap between posts. I won't say I've been busy just haven't dragged the camera along on any of my rides until today. I've ridden a different bike each day this week with a hard group ride Tues., solo mtn. bike ride yesterday, and a dirt road ride on my CX bike this afternoon. I rode up to Kebler Pass and Irwin Lake from town today after hiking all morning with our friend Mark from Salt Lake. Mark rode down here on his motorcycle yesterday and is on his way to Santa Fe tomorrow.

Here's Ruby and Owen (the mountains) from Irwin Lake. I am hoping to ski both in one day next week if I can convince my buddy Mike to join me when he gets back from Los Angeles.

Lots of ice still on the lake.

Sign at the summit of the pass.