Grouse Ridge revisited

Well, it's been nearly 8 months since I last wrote here. Lots of adventures to write about, not nearly enough time to document them though. I've been especially averse to writing since crashing out of the Arizona Trail Race 2 months ago. I've made a pledge to try and write a bit more, at least I will have something to look back on when I'm old(er).

Sasha and I took a spin back up to Grouse Ridge last weekend, it's been a while since I've done an actual MTB ride there. The last time I was there was strictly an overnight trip out to Five Lakes Basin for the night with Sasha, not exactly an epic journey.

I haven't ridden there much in the past few years mostly due to injuries and strength issues. The riding there is hard and technical and requires a decent amount of upper body strength to actually have a good time. After riding with Jeff and Duane at Barrett Lake the prior weekend it appeared that my shoulder might actually be getting to a point where I can pull off some of the technical moves required of this type of riding.

 I had ridden to Auburn and back in 90 degree heat on Sat. and was really not interested in riding anywhere in the lower elevations.

 Auburn and back by seanallan at Garmin Connect - Details


I had a decent amount of chores to do on Sun morn. but Sasha and I managed to break free around ten in the morning for the 1 hour drive up to Fuller Lake, the beginning of the Spaulding lake Trail. I figured this would be a great trail for Sasha, it's pretty slow and technical and the average speed is pretty low, perfect for a dog to rage along on. Sasha had a great time, there is still a little bit of water flowing in the drainages so she didn't have to go too far between water stops. Mary had run her about 15 miles the weekend before so I was sure she would be fine for this 10 miles or so.

Sasha looking for something to chase like always.

We had a great time heading out to the granite slabs on Fordyce Creek. Sasha did great with the few people and dogs we passed.

Sasha on a nice smooth section of trail

Trying to drink without actually getting her feet wet, she hates the water!

We stopped for lunch at the slabs and set off on the return trip to the truck. It's not really much of a climb to the slabs, but it does go a bit faster on the way back, the trail certainly flows better in some sections. Most of the tough sections you walk both up and down....

Cooling off a bit.

We made our way back to the truck, we passed a couple of dogs out walking their people, but we all made it by each other without any trouble. When we got back to the truck I had to decide what to do. Call it a day at 11 miles with the dog or go for a lap of Grouse Ridge. I decided to at least make the trip up to the lookout at Grouse Ridge, from there I could either drop the South trail or head over to Lindsey/Carr lakes off the top.

I made the 6 mile 2500' climb up to the top of Grouse Ridge without much trouble. This used to be a bitch of a climb back in the day, I mid ringed it today without working too hard. I had forgotten what a spectacular view of the world you get from up there, I really had a great time getting to and enjoying the ride to the ridge.

The view out to the Sierra Buttes. 

The final pitch to the overlook, the lookout is behind me.

The view from up top.

The view off towards the Sierra Buttes.

After sitting for a bit I decided to drop the South trail. It had been many years since I had been down this trail, it used to be a favorite of mine and the folks I used to ride with back in a prior life. I didn't recognize much of the trail, in fact most of the time I was sure I was lost, there were some new signs out on the trail, but none of them seemed to point to any direction I remembered. After spending too much time panning the terrain with my GPS I decided to just follow the trail down to wherever it took me, I'd ridden there enough to find my way out no matter where I spilled out.

Pretty sweet section of trail.

Great view off towards the Sacramento Valley.

The trail was alternately super technical, blown out or really sweet. I had my SPOT, but no one really knew where I was so I tried my best to keep the bike upright with limited success. After about 4 miles, some of it nowhere near rideable for me, I was spit out at the top of the Spaulding Lake Trail for another lap down this gem.

The view off towards Eagle Lakes and Red Peak.

I managed to make pretty good time on the way back, it seemed like it had taken me forever to descend the South Trail so it was nice to be on something that was somewhat familiar to me. Fordyce Creek was still flowing pretty good for what has been a record dry year, so I was serenaded by the sound of rushing water for much of the return back to the truck.

A pretty section of trail(rare on this trail).

 I arrived back at the truck to find a sleepy white dog waiting for me. We stopped down at the Discovery Trail and finished off lunch and made the quick trip back home. I consider myself lucky to have this special place so near to me and count it as one of the many reasons I call this place home.

 Grouse Ridge beatdown by seanallan at Garmin Connect - Details