After we broke camp at JT and after the 12 mile (or so) Switchback trail we head south to
Broad Mountain.
We parked at the trail head and rode in on some nice double track. Again we averaged about 12 mph or
so. The ground was hard pack and rock covered with small rocks and gravel. Where the trail "T"s we
stopped and talked to some locals about where some "nice single track" would be. They directed us
left. "Follow the road until it turns into trail. It loops back around after a few miles and brings
you back to the power lines." SWEET! This was some awesome ST. Lots of rocks to negotiate and some
nice swooping ST through head high Rhodedendrins(sp?) and forest. Towards the end of this we topped
out in a meadow. My friend was a few hundred yards ahead (yeah he's a 24/hr racing cardio
monster/better and faster). I heard what I thought was a deer running. I stopped my bike and was
about 20 yards or so from a very curious BEAR!!!! He looked at me and I looked at him. He really
looked like he was wondering WHAT the hell I was and how many legs did I have? He stood up to get a
look at me and I rode away about as stoked as I'd ever been.
This was actually about 3 miles or so. Back on the Broad Mountain loop and onto the double track.
This loop is more traveled than the Drake Creek route so staying on the trail was easy. It dropped
through two crossings that were about a foot deep or so. There were also lots of hikers so you can't
just roar around. The trail dumps you out on the road about a half mile below the parking lot (why
can't they just cut some ST through the woods to the lot instead of making you a roady?).
By the time we finished my odometer had over 18 miles on it. This coupled with the 12 mile
Switchback was my first 30 mile day. My tank was VERY empty!
WHAT A WEEKEND!!
JT is a great place. Next time I just have to find the ST!
Marty