WWR Day 6 Berlin Flats CG, ID to Wallace ID
WWR Day 6 Berlin Flats CG, ID to Wallace ID
Tuesday July 30, 2019
Distance 33.8?
Start elevation 3800
End elevation 2750
High point 4300
Low point 2400
Climbing ~2000
Ride time 3:56
Total time about 5 hours
Days bike camping: 4
Contiguous days riding : 1
Another sunny morning eventually reached my camp spot. I am up prepping in the cool shade, trying to get out earlier than my norm as there is a big climb on the back half of my day. One of the Dutch riders stopped over offering coffee shared with them by the only car camper. I head out ND gain the main road, which is paved and following the creek down down down for 6 or 7 miles. Faster cruising, cool in the shade but beautiful.
Eventually reach the Coeur D'Alene River it self, which is another 6 to 7 miles our beatifuleellow trees downhill.cruisong to Pricuard. There are lots of homes and cabins on the river, and apparently a popular fishing area as it is signed for catch and release only.
From Prichard the climb begins at last . But it is 5 miles of of more easy paved grade winding up a valley wide enough for some small hat fileds, homes and cabins
At mile 22 the grade changes dramatically and I begin a few hours of uphill in granny gear often checking my odometer, which at time appears to be broken, as it does not seem to be counting right.
This climb is about 2000' and is at least a 7 wringer. I am counting the quarter miles as the signs say Wallace ahead, guessing miles to the top of Dobson Pass.
I gain the pass, Huzzah, Huzzah! Now for the downhill.
But wait the GPS coordinates say turn right on to the forest road, that goes up
I do some rollers on the ridge before diving down incredible switchbacks at the valley heads which becoming an Idaho signature trait.
I do find a huge patch of ripe thimble berries, and well no harm stopping. After many handfuls staining my fingers, it is back on the down hill.
Regain the paved road and ride down 9 mile road to town. Pass by more and more modest houses, as I near town. Lots of union oriented protest signs against local mining interest Helca. Ahh shades of Butte.
Reach the RV park on town ahead of Glenda, and the Dutch riders are right behind me.
This is an unusual RV park as it has a nice restaurant attached to it, as well as a Brewery (North Idaho Mountain Brew)! Nirvana I say, the devil's triangle is perhaps a postscript if I were not being chaperoned
Grab a beer with the Dutch riders, learning about each other, exchanging ride notes and such.
Glenda shows up and we get set up.
Well Wallace is a blessedly cute small town, oozing historical authencity, and 2 Brew pub. After sample the local IPA at the Wallace Brewing Co, it is off to dinner in town with lovely Glenda.
I am reading a book centered on Wallace and the forest service. Chronicles the creation of the forest service leading up to the Big Burn, a catastrophic 3 million acre wild fire. A massive cold front blew thousands of smaller fires being fought by the forest service and anyone they could recruit into massive single fire. Reports of clouds of smoke igniting hundreds of feet in the air and 80mph winds.
Tuesday July 30, 2019
Distance 33.8?
Start elevation 3800
End elevation 2750
High point 4300
Low point 2400
Climbing ~2000
Ride time 3:56
Total time about 5 hours
Days bike camping: 4
Contiguous days riding : 1
Another sunny morning eventually reached my camp spot. I am up prepping in the cool shade, trying to get out earlier than my norm as there is a big climb on the back half of my day. One of the Dutch riders stopped over offering coffee shared with them by the only car camper. I head out ND gain the main road, which is paved and following the creek down down down for 6 or 7 miles. Faster cruising, cool in the shade but beautiful.
Eventually reach the Coeur D'Alene River it self, which is another 6 to 7 miles our beatifuleellow trees downhill.cruisong to Pricuard. There are lots of homes and cabins on the river, and apparently a popular fishing area as it is signed for catch and release only.
From Prichard the climb begins at last . But it is 5 miles of of more easy paved grade winding up a valley wide enough for some small hat fileds, homes and cabins
At mile 22 the grade changes dramatically and I begin a few hours of uphill in granny gear often checking my odometer, which at time appears to be broken, as it does not seem to be counting right.
This climb is about 2000' and is at least a 7 wringer. I am counting the quarter miles as the signs say Wallace ahead, guessing miles to the top of Dobson Pass.
I gain the pass, Huzzah, Huzzah! Now for the downhill.
But wait the GPS coordinates say turn right on to the forest road, that goes up
I do some rollers on the ridge before diving down incredible switchbacks at the valley heads which becoming an Idaho signature trait.
I do find a huge patch of ripe thimble berries, and well no harm stopping. After many handfuls staining my fingers, it is back on the down hill.
Regain the paved road and ride down 9 mile road to town. Pass by more and more modest houses, as I near town. Lots of union oriented protest signs against local mining interest Helca. Ahh shades of Butte.
Reach the RV park on town ahead of Glenda, and the Dutch riders are right behind me.
This is an unusual RV park as it has a nice restaurant attached to it, as well as a Brewery (North Idaho Mountain Brew)! Nirvana I say, the devil's triangle is perhaps a postscript if I were not being chaperoned
Grab a beer with the Dutch riders, learning about each other, exchanging ride notes and such.
Glenda shows up and we get set up.
Well Wallace is a blessedly cute small town, oozing historical authencity, and 2 Brew pub. After sample the local IPA at the Wallace Brewing Co, it is off to dinner in town with lovely Glenda.
I am reading a book centered on Wallace and the forest service. Chronicles the creation of the forest service leading up to the Big Burn, a catastrophic 3 million acre wild fire. A massive cold front blew thousands of smaller fires being fought by the forest service and anyone they could recruit into massive single fire. Reports of clouds of smoke igniting hundreds of feet in the air and 80mph winds.
What does a Thimbleberry taste like and can you make wine and/or beer out of it?
ReplyDeleteI read a great book called the Big Burn by Timothy Egan about that slice of history.
Are those pink antlers on that under garment?
ReplyDelete