Ledgeview - Flintstones

Today I followed that GPS track along the frontside of McKee Peak, up to the middle of Mixed Bag. It began in a gated community (the track probably pre-dated the community), luckily the gate was open. From there the trail was mostly unused double-track with brambles and small trees growing in the middle of it. Not much of it was all that rideable though. But the trail WAS there, so that was cool. It was also not well traveled, so really loose dirt. It felt like my wheel was half submerged while I was riding parts of it. Easy on the knees when I fell though :)

However, the further I rode, after that initial stretch, the smaller the trail got. Single-track for awhile, and then, if the trail was there, it could only be found by nymphs and dryads, and other magical creatures - I sure couldn't see it! In the end I used the GPS to cut cross-country (more like scaling a mountain) to join up with Mixed Bag about half-way along. Last time I try that trail up!

I rode Mixed Bag - and after the way up, it was a breeze - well, comparatively. It was still muddy and slippery. I was able to catch my breath on that part though.

When I popped out onto the main road, I was still feeling strong, so began the ride/walk up to the top again. Actually, I was only going to go up to the washing machine, and try to join up with the frontside trails from there to get back to my car, but I met a biker on the way up who told me that trail would take me around to the back, not the front - so I abandoned that plan, and trudged nearly to the very top. When I recognized the field I rode on on Wednesday, I cut across there, and began the descent.

This was a really nice ride. Ran into another biker on this part. Checked my GPS, and I could choose to take the same exit I did Wednesday, and hope the construction workers would let me ride the unfinished road to my car, or I could take "Flintstones" and end up back in the gated community. I decided to play it safe, and discover Flintstones.
This trail began easy enough, but then I realized the trail was narrowing, and right up against the rock wall to my left. To my right it was quite a steep drop - but not exactly a cliff like up higher. Still, it was a pretty narrow path - but definitely rideable. Actually moreso, because I could put my left hand out at any time and lean on the upper cliff.

Turns out that this was not Flintstones at all yet. Happily, there was a very clear sign marking the start of the trail. Not so happily, the trail wasn't obvious. What WAS obvious were the huge leaf-and-moss covered boulders all around. I guess that's where the trail gets its name?

So I picked a path between the boulders - the trail seemed to just be anywhere and everywhere - and headed down. Some magnificent views of these HUGE rocks. It was great. After 100' or so, the rocks were done, and it was just singlet-rack to the bottom. Some pretty steep sections though. Maybe I was just tired, but I couldn't really manage it very well without brakes.

Came out on the double-track I started on, and headed out for another ride!!

Logged 18km today!