GDR Canada Day 5 Lower Elk Lake to Elkford
Lower Elk Lakes CG to Elkford
Thurs July. 18, 2019
Distance 47
End elevation 4170
Start elevation
High point 5800
Low point 4170
Climbing about 1500'
Ride time 5:17
Total time 6:10
Days bike camping: +1
Contiguous days riding : 2
Morning - the sprinkles and rain continue to morning with a bigger wave around 6, I roll over to snooze and it winds it way down by 7 and I wind my way up for the day. After prepacking as much as I can in the tent, I venture out into a sunlit and sodden forest.
First thing is sunlight! On the mountains!
Grab a couple of pictures before coming back to make breakfast and tea, which I take at my leisure lakeside, taking in sustenance for both body and soul.
I will be following the Elk River down valley to Elkford today, a loss of maybe 1400 feet.
The wind picks up and clouds are building again by the time I depart at 10 am.
Sure enough rain hit not to long in, the high peaks clothed in clouds once again.
Could be easy cruising down the road at a good clip, but mud and water filled potholes turn it into a whack a mole sort of problem. See a couple of tracks precede me as I scream down roller coaster rollers and crank slowly up the other sides.
Guess it's not gonna be a coasting back to town sort of day. Well the sun makes a feeble appearance that grows stronger, turning into much nicer day as I head lower. I need old Sol's embrace as it is chilly in the shade, being damp and the on again off again headwinds.
The route quickly left the craggiest of ranges into more docile mountains, with many clearcuts and a huge stripmine along the way
Finally make it to Center Prairie where I start the first section of the 80+ mile Elk Valley Trail.
Quite an initiation, as the route is an old road bed, creekbed filled to the brim with baby head rocks. That said I ride a substantial amount of it. As it turns out it part of a tax to be paid to gain a shelf trail through wonderful forest.
Again the wind kicks up and the rain gods let loose. I bundle up and peddle on, as I have just a few miles from Elkford again.
Well last night was my first night bike camping on the trip, though I am on day 5 of riding. My camp processes are a wee bit rusty, all of the rain aiding the rust.
Thurs July. 18, 2019
Distance 47
End elevation 4170
Start elevation
High point 5800
Low point 4170
Climbing about 1500'
Ride time 5:17
Total time 6:10
Days bike camping: +1
Contiguous days riding : 2
Morning - the sprinkles and rain continue to morning with a bigger wave around 6, I roll over to snooze and it winds it way down by 7 and I wind my way up for the day. After prepacking as much as I can in the tent, I venture out into a sunlit and sodden forest.
First thing is sunlight! On the mountains!
Grab a couple of pictures before coming back to make breakfast and tea, which I take at my leisure lakeside, taking in sustenance for both body and soul.
Bit alas all such reveries must come to a close as I need to pack and ride a longish day to day.
I will be following the Elk River down valley to Elkford today, a loss of maybe 1400 feet.
The wind picks up and clouds are building again by the time I depart at 10 am.
Sure enough rain hit not to long in, the high peaks clothed in clouds once again.
Could be easy cruising down the road at a good clip, but mud and water filled potholes turn it into a whack a mole sort of problem. See a couple of tracks precede me as I scream down roller coaster rollers and crank slowly up the other sides.
The route quickly left the craggiest of ranges into more docile mountains, with many clearcuts and a huge stripmine along the way
Finally make it to Center Prairie where I start the first section of the 80+ mile Elk Valley Trail.
Quite an initiation, as the route is an old road bed, creekbed filled to the brim with baby head rocks. That said I ride a substantial amount of it. As it turns out it part of a tax to be paid to gain a shelf trail through wonderful forest.
Again the wind kicks up and the rain gods let loose. I bundle up and peddle on, as I have just a few miles from Elkford again.
Well last night was my first night bike camping on the trip, though I am on day 5 of riding. My camp processes are a wee bit rusty, all of the rain aiding the rust.
I like the names Elk River, Elk Lake, Elk Valley, Elkford.
ReplyDeleteDid you see any Elk?
No elk down here yet, just elk tracks, elk racks, elk poo, and elk signs
ReplyDeleteMiserable Weather, Tough Terrain, Incredible Photos
ReplyDeleteYou know, while it would have been a more perfect experience at lower Elk lake if the weather bright and sunny, there is something magically in the dance between Earth and sky, ever changing....
Delete