Midfork Monday with Bob B.

Bob's Ride Report

RR: Middle Fork Snoqualmie
Posted by: "Bob Bournique" bbtcrides@verizon.net

Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:11 pm (PST)
I just had to fit this ride in to the season some how and today turned out perfect for an afternoon on the upper portion of the Middle Fork trail. Rallying the Subaru up the gravel road I kept telling myself I'd be there soon. But, after the lower trail head passed, it seemed to take forever to make the last 6 miles up to the Dingford trailhead. Yeah, that part sucked. But, we were all rolling by 1:20 or so and the climb up the road from that point was just plain good as climbs go. Great peek a boo views of Chair Peak and the valley as we spun along. Thankfully, it's almost middle ring the whole way and we made the upper trailhead in right at an hour. Not bad I thought, we may yet fit an out and back on the bottom third of the trail after all! we signed in as Harvey Manning on a mountain bike and were on our way down. The first mile or so down the switchbacks to the first bridge is arguably the best piece along the whole stretch and I had to stop briefly a few times to take it in. Wow...
At the upper bridge, Daniel (a nurse at Harborview trauma) and Lisa (Medic 1 EMT) talked shop while I soaked up the sun and Dave helped Mark with our first flat. Another great place to pause along the trail. Simply beautiful.

Rolling again we briefly stopped at the trailside geyser for pictures and the kept rolling down to the Goldmeyer Springs turnoff. This upper section of trail is more worn in and in much better shape than when I first did this ride last year. If you like McKenzie in Or, you'll dig this section. The most technical of the 3 sections and the best IMHO. Even though this is where we made another unscheduled stop so I could fix a flat.
After the Goldmeyer junction I picked up a twig in the pulley which somehow jacked the derailleur all the way around and yanked the rear wheel out to the drop. Just great.... Dave and I started surgery and called ahead to Lisa who waited at Burnt Boot Creek. We were able to save the patient and limp along. Less a few gears but sorta still shifting.
Daniel went down on Burnt Boot. But, he was able to keep both his bike and his shoes with him.

Now the pace picked up and we swooped up and down and along old narrow gauge rail grade that looks like Preston did before every local shop started sending anyone with a bike there. Sweetness. No dust, dry but damp in places. Perfect. Did I mention the temperatures were perfect as well?

Soon, we hear a big grind and Lisa's drive train is acting up. Looks like she no longer has a granny gear.
Good thing we're going down. Up, down, up....down.

Finally at the Dingford turn off and we wait for Mark. Looks like he's been walking with the bike for some time. Nothing a little more surgery can't cure and with a lowly zip tie, he is on his way across the bridge and back to the cars. Looks like the lower 3rd of the trail will have to wait for now.

3:40 for the loop and right at about 17 miles. That's 1 hour up and 2:40 down. Really good road climb up and some of the area's best singletrack down. Get some if you can this Wednesday before the rains come. This isn't closed for fire danger.

The Evening rush hour consisted of rallying back down the scenic Middle Fork road. Could have been worse.

Thanks for the ride. Definitely good times. Despite the long drive out to the trailhead.

Bob

Photos by Lisa Parsons.

"I'd rather meander my way down the trail taking photos these days then hammer......"

On the Road Above Goldmeyer	View Down Valley	Native Blackberry Vines - 2
Close-ups of Orange Stone - 1	Close-ups of Orange Stone - 2	View On Upper Road
Fall Color	More Fall Color - 1	More Fall Color - 3
Distant Ridgeline	Trail on Upper Section	Swirled Snag
Dogwood	Wheel and Fauna	Trail
Deer Ferns On Hillside Above Trail	Rock Lined Trail	Another Great View
Open Trail	Granite Perch	Dave
Bob Mugging for the Photo	Maple Framed Trail	Large Maple
Sidehill Trail	Bob Trying to Whistle	Falling Water
P9110091.JPG	Back up the Trail	View From the Hobbit House - 1