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Somewhere in Montana- July 26, 2009

Words and photos by Lee Lau unless otherwise noted.

|| Day 1 - History Rock - Bozeman, Montana || Day 2 - 3 - Trespass/Sypes; Emerald; A big peak || Day 4 - Somewhere || Day 5 - 6 - Corral Creek, Fox Peak - Ketchum, Idaho || Day 7 - Warm Springs ; Pioneer - Long Gulch || Day 8 - Corral Creek, Fisher Creek - Stanley, Idaho || Day 9 - Bull Trout to Bonneville ||

 

Finally after many years of trying, Sharon and I got to ride with Sean from Missoula who drove down to meet us. Tony felt bad (unjustifiably so) for not getting us an alpine loop with all the poor weather in the Bozeman area. With an improving forecast we wanted to give a classic alpine loop in the area a shot - it starts at 5800ft, goes to just shy of 10k (we hiked up to a gentle summit at 10K+ then loops back down to parking. This turned out to be the best ride of the trip. Indeed it was so good that I don't know whether I'd do this again - nothing would replicate the perfect condtions; shady and cool on the bike ride and hike-a-bike up; sunny as we got to the summit; just enough moisture on the trails to keep them tacky and dust free and railing endless singletrack down. It was a privilege to ride this gem in such conditions - everyone should be so lucky.


Tony climbing on the lower trails



Man, that Sean can climb ...


Then follows a short but sweep downhill to give us a taster



More by Tony climbing to get to the first saddle


Cresting the first saddle then the pano overlooking river valleys to the West

Then follows more climbing, riding alternated by hike-a-bike to get to the alpine


Lee and Tony. The clouds are breaking and weather improving

Tony and Sharon in the last leg of the climb at about 9,500 ft

Dirty legs and alpine flowers

Lee

Tony


Sharon spinning her little legs


We basked in the beautiful views and moderate temps of the alpine while Sean contemplated his love for MTBR


Then it was time to lose 5,000 ft of elevation - here goes Tony. Stunning views are de rigeur.



Sean and Sharon



Lee free-tarding


Sharon and Sean


Sean drops off the first saddle - the trail snakes cross-hill on talus then switchbacks down



Sharon and Sean



View looking back from whence we came

 


 


Not too many shots of the descent - just video - Lee


Sharon



Tony badly wanted to see the pictures so we obliged and geeked out

 

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