Friday, September 14, 2012

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RIDING THE CREST

The time has come to leave Ashland and the beginning of today’s route retraces a good portion of the last 24 miles from Day 4. The long descent on Dead Indian Memorial Rd becomes the major climb for the morning-it’s the reason many people took the day off from riding yesterday.

We go through our daily morning rituals and get packed and ready to leave at 7:40 AM, 60F.  We exit town and cross I-5 to Hwy 66 and turn onto Dead Indian Memorial Rd for the 13 mile climb up to the summit at Buck Prairie Trailhead, gaining 3334′ in the process.

The climb starts off gently with grades of 2-4% for about the first 3 miles and steadily increases to gradient ranges of 5-7% up to the first water stop at mile 7.7. The sun is trying to peak through the low clouds and rise above the mountain.

From a turnout area, you can stop to enjoy the amazing mountain landscape in and around Rogue Valley-beautiful!

We bypass the water stop at mile 7.7 and continue on.

Around mile 11, the gradient increases significantly to ranges of 8-12% and then eases back down to 5-7% as we near the top. Along the way, we hear one of the SAG guys singing from the side of the road and another guy playing the bagpipes further up the road. 

We arrive at the summit rest stop-Buck Prairie Trailhead at 9:50 AM, mile 15.3, 76F.

The reward after a climb is always the descent; it drops us down through the expansive meadows and ponds and then gently ascends through the dense forest of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

We enter Klamath County and arrive at the water stop-Pederson Sno-Park at 11:25 AM, mile 29.4-79F.

After the water stop, there is one very short climb before we turn onto Clover Creek Rd. We continue through the alpine forest on rolling terrain for the next 11.5 miles to the lunch stop.

We reach the lunch stop-Private field at 12:15 PM, mile 42.1-90F.

After lunch, the landscapes transitions from dense alpine forest to high desert ponderosa and lodgepole pines, shrubs and flowers-it certainly have its own beauty. The gentle rolling terrain for the next 11 miles takes us into the town of Keno.

We reach the rest stop-Keno Fire Dept at 1:40 PM, mile 53-87F. The watermelon served at this stop is so very sweet-the best I’ve had in a very long time!

From Keno, it’s a pretty flat 7+ miles through the vast agricultural fields along Hwy 66.

We turn off from Hwy 66 to Greensprings Dr and navigate a number of turns on city streets to avoid traffic. We get some fantastic views of Klamath River along the way!

We arrive at Moore Park in Klamath Falls at 2:45 PM, mile 66.6-88F to the warm welcome of cheers from the local cheerleaders. Popsicles and ice creams bars are handed out as we enter the campground.

Some scenes from the park:

The dining area is set up right next to the shores of Klamath Lake-the views are absolutely gorgeous! We can enjoy it while eating dinner-Fish tacos with beans, cabbage, corn, salad and cheesecake.

Thanks to the CO volunteers for another day of being well supported on the road and at the campground! The early morning climb was a good way to wake up the legs for the remainder of the day.

VDO Stats:
67.39 miles
5329′ of elevation gain
Avg grade: 4%
Max grade: 12%

Weather: SPLENDID! Sunny and warm with clear blue skies. Temps ranged from the low 60’s to the high 80’s

Click here to continue on to Day 7-Klamath Falls to Bly

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Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into
you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into
you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
~John Muir
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