Alsea Falls Mtn Biking - Labor Day weekend

 

The kid's crew!  Lovin' spring board laps

The trails here are purpose built for mtn bikers.  Super fun.  

Good time to get out of town...

There's plenty of gnar here as well.  Just hop on Chutes and Boulders... 

Tucker = tuckered out

We'd do a morning ride, then the kids would just play in the creek.  

Shasta & Alsea Falls.

Check out Zenyn's bike!

Strava

• Sat - Grom lap; ride with Jack (down with Steffan and Zane); springboard lap with Nikko and Leighton
• Sun - Run to Green Peak falls; ride with Jack, Justin, Russ and Adrian; Soren and Nikko grom ride
• Mon - Chutes & Boulders; last rip down

Links

• Team Dirt - these guys maintain the trails.  And you can see the trail conditions here.  Toss them some dough! https://teamdirt.org/trailareas/alseafalls.html
• Trail Forks - https://www.trailforks.com/region/alsea-falls/?activitytype=1&z=13.5&lat=44.31160&lon=-123.51170
• Travel Oregon write up - https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/bicycling/alsea-falls-trail-system/

Next time

• Do a few more rips on Chutes & Boulders... maybe in sections so I can familiarize myself with the trail.  

Central Oregon Road Trippin' - Part 1: Waldo Lake

 

Kai and Nikko paddling across quiet (and smokey) Waldo Lake

The boys were ready to go. These past few weeks have been too smoky and the boys were stuck bouncing off the walls. 

Waldo Wasn't looking great, but definitely better!

Nikko dancin' after the long drive.

The canoe was full, so we towed Kai on his own SUP.

"What up dude?"

The Lake was a bit smokey, so we had it pretty much to ourselves.  We found a sweet site that was almost an island.  Shasta was ready to get off the canoe

Kimbo was in no hurry

Sweet site!

The boys were inspired by the Younkin boys and wanted to sleep in their own hammock

Dinner time!

After dinner games

Kimbo the loser!

Strava links

• Aug 3 - Canoe camping
• Aug 4 - Waldo Lake Run/Rhodo Island Paddle

Next time

• Mtn Bike the Waldo Lake Trail  - IMBA Epic Trail - 20 mi, XC ride, not too kid friendly... yet.  
• https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/3734125/waldo-lake-loop-imba-epic
• https://bendtrails.org/trail/waldo-lake/
• https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/bicycling/waldo-lake-loop/
• Tons of other mtn bike options.
• Trail run... home of the Waldo 100k... 
• Do some more snorkeling?  Geocaching? 
• Be ware of mosquitos... go a bit later?  

S. Sister with Andrew

Mandatory summit selfie!

Got out for a quick early morning foray while in Bend with Andrew.  As it was the summer solstice, we had plenty of daylight, so we figured we'd get after it early and hope to be back to spend the afternoon with the fam and friends.  

The day started out quite unpromising.  A thick fog layer was basically dewing on us the whole time and we were unsure it'd lift.  

We chatted a few times about turning around, when we should make that call... as we could probably still go home grab our bikes and go on a fun ride for a few hours. 

Then the sky parted and the viz cleared just like that.  

And there were rainbows.  Not usually a great sign for good skiing conditions.  

Some icy, steep, tricky skinning on the ridge

Andrew with Middle and North Sister behind him.  I'd like to do that traverse next year.  I'd actually like to run it this year, but I may have missed the window.   

Looks like a great ski off of Middle sis

We had a great looking ski down ourselves too...

After slarving primo corn for most of the way down, we were satisfied.  

A quick boot back to the car... 

And soon we were with the fam, floating down the Deschutes.  

Here was Kimbo's workstation for the day.  Bowie sat there the whole time... or not... 

Needless to say after that trip, the boys were exhausted.  

Greyback Mtn with Steven and Tim

Went on an adventure ride with Steven and Tim a while back.  I've been meaning to get out and do more exploring but... 2020 happened.  Anyway, here's some pics of the adventure.  Scratchy trails for sure.  But would like to connect this to Applegate or Squaw Lakes or.... Ashland via Mt Ashland.  That'd be a hell of an adventure ride. 

Jelly cups - aka poorman's gumdrop, found on decaying conifers at higher elevations after snowmelt.  

Some nice views including Mt. Ashland, McLoughlin, etc...