It is overcast this morning and not looking like the sun is going to shine anytime soon. The quads were packed and thank heavens we always pack cold weather gear because it looks as if we are going to need it.
We accessed one of the Paiute ATV side trails from the North side of town and followed the signs. This trail lead us through meadows, valleys, juniper scrub, evergreens, alpine aspen forest, mountain summits and will hook us up to another trail that will also do the same and eventually lead us back into the South end of the town. It is about 60 miles long so we were on the trail by 11:30. This would allow us plenty of time to do the trail and get back before dark. Well……that was the plan!!
As we started to climb up into the higher altitudes, the graded trail gave way to rutted mud, then large gravel and rocks. The trail itself was pretty awesome despite the horrendous amount of garbage that has been left along the trail by users who obviously do not care about the beauty of nature. Instead, they leave the trail strewn with old pop and beer cans and what ever other garbage they don't want to pack home. Man, "Pack it in/Pack it out" signs need to be posted along this trail.
We were soon encountering bits of snow here and there along the trail and since we were still climbing, I assumed we would be in a bit more!! Man…a "bit" more would certainly be an understatement.
As we climbed, the beauty of the area was certainly not lost on me although I couldn't help thinking how beautiful this place must look with all the Fall colours in their glory.
The leaves were all off the aspen and the oak trees now but the trail was covered in a carpet of them.
This particular trail is closed to ATVs over 50 inches wide and as we travelled the tight winding trail through huge growth evergreens and aspen (some of their trucks were enormous), there was often just enough room for the quad to make it between the trees. There were a few bridges and a few gates that were designed for only 50 inches as well.
We travelled through as much as two feet of snow at times and I must say, that John was glad he hadn't yet changed his tires. He still had his mud tires on from the Leoville trails. He cleared the path for Kay and I (we were riding my two up CanAm) and even then, we struggled for footholds.
We did managed to stop and smell the roses a few times along the trail, took a few pictures of a babbling little creek and even had the pleasure of seeing a couple of rolling snowballs!! Those are the ones that start on a hill and eventually gain speed and snow and become like little snow wheels. There was a video on Facebook last year about them and they are so neat to watch. I would have stopped for a picture of those but feared if I had, we would have sunk into the snow on the trail and not been able to get started again!! Yes, the snow was that deep!! The only good thing about this was that it was not cold out and we still had plenty of day light.
We road on snowy trails for most of the afternoon especially when we were in the upper elevations and this allowed us to see many animal tracks. It was so cool to see them. As far as actual animals, we saw a squirrel and several mule deer. The deer were anything but afraid. I think they wondered what the hell we were doing up there and by that time, I was getting tired and starting to wonder myself!!
Kay and I took turns driving and I must say, she handed the driving tasks to me at the right time as we were once again starting to climb and the snow was even deeper!! It was us to our knees in places. Ask me how I know that……Because someone had to get off and winch because we were unable to climb some of the inclines because of the damn snow!! Kay and I took turns hauling on the winch cable!! Several times, we asked each other if the trail was almost over!! Holy Buckets, I though I left the snow in Saskatchewan!!
We finally, after battling snow, shelf trails, fallen trees, obscure trail, babbling brooks that wanted to get our feet wet, we hit the final leg of the trip. The end of the trail was only 20 miles away!!!
Since we were still in a shit pile of snow, I continued driving and at one point hit a ridge and the quad launched both Kay and I off into the snow bank!! Well, Shit, Oh Dear…..we were both laughing and I think I peed in my pants a little!! Neither one of us were hurt (I jammed my left wrist a bit but nothing major) so we managed to get the quad back on all four tires, wipe the snow off our asses (they were now wet) and get back on the machine and try to catch up to John, He was not around to witness our little faux paus!! We did however, take a picture of the scene of the crime!!
Eventually we descended in elevation and the trail became much easier to manage. Man, I hope I never see that trail again - especially in November. Who in their right mind does a mountain trail in November?? John and his stupid ideas!!
As we descended, we were faced with yet another issue. There were trees down across the trail and by trees, I mean big trees. We had to winch around one which had a nasty downhill slope so, just to be safe, had the quad hooked by its winch cable so that it didn't go rolling down the hill for a hundred miles. With both quads safely around that tree, we continued on only to be faced with three more down trees. These ones had to be winched over so we had to prop other fallen logs up as a ramp so that the winch would be able to lift the quads over. Man…..are we at the end of the trail yet cause I am getting mighty tired.
Yes, I saw the cute little creek that was flowing beside us but by this time I was thinking about drowning John in it!! And those cute little mule deer…..give me a gun……I may have to be out here in the middle of effin nowhere for the night and may need to eat!! It is now dark ……..
Eventually, and I do say eventually, we did reach the end of the trail and entered Beaver and found our way safely back to the truck and camper where once again I had the greatest urge to hurt John.
We travelled 75 miles today and I feel every one of those miles. Kay and I were both dragging our asses. Shit, Oh Dear……John is dead to me!!
We all took showers, had a few beer, ate a gourmet meal of hotdogs and KD, took some tylenol, and went to bed. Perhaps I will feel better tomorrow…..or not!!! Oh God, just kill me now!!
No comments:
Post a Comment