Mamquam River Area - April 15/07
First real ride of the season. Finally! After a long dark wet winter we made it out onto the trails. We had intended to take a run up Indian Arm as far as we could get. Either to the snow-line or to where the winter slides have taken out the road but we couldn't get past the gate. So instead we headed back the Mamquam Main. This first shot is from right out at the highway. The leaves are opening and the sun is shining.
The parking lot here is actually for the climbers who like to tackle the various routes up the Chief.
As we headed into the Mamquam area, we climbed in elevation and back through the season. Mile 15 was as far as we could get. Suddenly there was 2 feet of snow blocking the road. There are no leaf buds yet and it is cold, still late winter. At least there is no dust.
Looking up, there is deep fresh snow covering the hills.
There are 2 side spurs at mile 9 as we work our way back out. One on each side of the bridge down below in the picture. The one we rode up climbs very steeply and brings us to this outlook point. We rode another click or so further in but ran into the expected snow.
Just a look east up the valley.
Those are bicycles down there. This spur is part of the mountain biking trail system. They veer off down below and head over toward Ring Creek.
This pic didn't turn out as nice as I'd hoped but that's long beard moss hanging from the trees over the river, down in a deep gorge.
That was it, our first ride of the season. At least it was a start with lots more to come.