Happy Feet

Took a ride up Hemlock Valley to the ski area on mixed pavement and gravel today. All told, 22 Km's one way or 44 return with 1000m elevation gain over 13Km's.




I parked and started from the Sasquatch Inn and worked my way up the fairly level Morris Valley to the turn off for Hemlock.



After 7Km the road begins a non stop climb up switchbacks into the Hemlock Valley. The first part is patchy pavement which then gives way to gravel with nice views around almost every corner.










Welcome to BC logging roads!







Continued next post...

Happy Feet

After 3 hours of steady riding I topped out at the Ski area.







The ski area had chalets and I knew people were there as light traffic moved up and down the road but it was eerily desolate with not a soul to be seen.















After downing a couple of clif bars with my pal bigfoot it was time to enjoy the fruits of my labour and ride back down...

Along the way I came upon a black bear in the ditch. Tried to get a pic but by the time I got the camera out and focused it had raised up on its hind legs and ski-daddled up the bank into the woods.

Some scat by the side of the road.




I let two vehicles pass and then had fun keeping pace with them down the switchbacks - they must have thought I was a little nuts.

I don't know how long it took to get down but it was a hoot. I just replaced my front brake pads for some Jagwire Mountain Sports and the stopping power was phenomenal. The low travel suspension fork smoothed out the washboard and saved my butt when I hit some potholed pavement at speed.

Time well wasted!