Attending (and what day):
Karen B (1)
Tom B (1,2)
Ron DeB (1)
Pat and Ron D (1)
Aurora F (1)
Jim G (1)
Jim H (1)
Homer O (1)
Brian P (1)
Merly and Scott R (1)
Debbie and Gary R (1)
Joe T (1,2)
Martin W (Lead) (1,2)
From Martin:
Day 1 of 2 day overnighter (or Single day, Day Run)
We left on time with a good sized group. Air down at Union Flat and headed up FR19. The worrisome snow patch was non-existent. However, when we turned on to FR19-003 there were off camber snow patches. Keeping the right side tires on the firm ground at the edge of the snow/road got everyone through.
Next was the Butcher Ranch Loop. Here we began to deal with down trees on the road. Travel was slowed with lunch catching us still on the Butcher Ranch Trail.
Shortly after lunch we crossed a few more snow patches and began the descent into Gold Valley. It seemed like there was a tree every few hundred yards. But we got it cleaned all the way to Hawley Lake!
The day group turn around just shy of Jack's Junction and were led out by Brian.
Overnight and Day 2
The overnighters ran with the Day Group, separating just shy of Jack's Junction.
Cruised on up to Hawley Meadow. Opie's cabin has made it throgh another winter. The meadow was too wet to cross and there was too much snow to go around the meadow.
We decided to camp right where the road first meets the meadow. Proved to be a fine camp. Joe did well on both the wheeling and the camping. Some of the wheeling was challenging.
From Jim G:
That was a great run, complete with everything a wheeler could ask for: comradery, adventure, work, accomplishment, and most of all, the enjoyment of a day in the forest! We all made it through without a mishap, or even a misstep - and bravo to Audra for coming through like a leisurely drive in the country on her smallest tires of the bunch!
Frosty, there were no sinners on this trip, so I'm keeping the Bell! Included is a picture of our sign at the trailhead - I think it looks great there!!
