57 Mile Steese into the White Mountains, Jan 12, 2013

Beautiful day for a ride with the temps in the upper teens to lower 20’s, couldn’t ask for anything better, well maybe a bit more snow would of been nice, especially in the upper elevations were what snow we did get was pretty windblown.

A 17 minute video of different segments of the ride.

Eight of us started out around 10:20 AM and headed into Nome Creek, the snow on US Creek was pretty good and we had to break trail most all day. I could see the outline of old tracks from before the last few snow falls, of course that was only on those rare moments when you could see any definition at all. It was flat light all the way in, started to get better once we headed up the hill into Quartz Creek.

So I did a couple Ooops off the road and into the ditch, don’t think anyone saw me though, they were probable trying to make sure they didn’t do it themselves. I was just glad that I only drove into the ditch and not down the hill, some of them spots are a bit steep. So we made it to the Nome Creek bridge and decided to go on to Quartz Creek and since we were breaking trail I figured Nick on his Crossfire would have more fun and excitement than me breaking that uphill run. Turns out it wasn’t too bad, as far as breaking trail goes, were still busting new snow fall all the way up the hill.

Once we got up on top we had to do a lot of side hilling and rock dodging heading in towards Quartz Creek, so all though this was rated as a Family ride, I’m real glad everyone along was more in the experienced to intermediate rider status, it would have been a tough ride back for the family. On the way back to Nome Creek we were joined by Shawn & Dawn and everyone made it back down to Nome Creek road and then to the turn off towards Richards Cabin.

Riding the road was fun, lots of good snow, no fresh tracks and a nice wide pathway to ride along, just had that dog gone flat light again. We took a break just past the trail junction to the Richards Cabin and down the hill to the BLM cabin, Shawn & Dawn who joined us late decided to head home, so we were back to 8 riders. While we’re hanging out being lazy and spreading the manure, three machines rode past us and headed up towards Richards Cabin, it turns out they’re running a trap line along the trail. The trail to the cabin was pretty nice as far as snow went, until we hit some icy patches with a lot of overflow and a couple ditches full of icy water, but oh well.

Just before we got to Richards Cabin we caught up with the trapper and visited with them at the Cabin where they were staying. A nice bunch of guys, even give us directions on another way out that went around 90% of the overflow. Once we made it back to Nome Creek Road I was informed that I should leave first and get the grill going, well hum, OK, so it was 50 MPH plus all the way back and the light was a bit better so I wasn’t concerned about doing any flying tricks off the roadway, well. Not too concerned anyway.

Back at the rigs I got the grill going while everyone else loaded up and then put on the hamburgers, Moose-burgers really, thanks to Peter. A couple burgers each, some more manure spreading and we all headed for home around 4:00. We put on 65 miles and had a great day doing it.