RR: 's - Downieville & Tahoe

[CalEpic]

What a tremendous road trip!

We did a lot of driving but it was well worth it. Our merry group included Tom Cosgrove, Tom's bro John, CJWally - Craig, Mike, MtbCat - Woody and his girl Jen.

We left So Cal Thursday am and headed to Auburn where we met up with Tom's bro John before heading up to Downieville. Tom scored us a killer cabin right on the river just north of town. This place was a trip, to get to it one had to cross a very Indiana Jones-ish suspension bridge over the river. Quite interesting pulling a luggage cart with the bridge trying to buck you off!

I was blown away by how beautiful this place is - The Sierras never disappoint. The first night there we settled in and a serious game of low-stakes Texas hold-em ensued 'till the wee hours. Despite the late hour the night before we were up bright and early for our scheduled shuttle from Yuba Expeditions Friday morning. The first ride this day was the Big Boulder Trail.

Getting ready to rock near Packer Saddle.


This trail is incredible. We started up pretty high and there were still a few snow drifts to maneuver through.

The other Craig navigating some snow:


Once out of the snow, the trail is blazing fast. Plenty of nice tech sections mixed in with flowing singletrack.

Eventually the snow melts - and the water is cold!


Next we climbed up to the top where we enjoyed some spectacular views:




We blazed back down to town and decided we needed another ride before calling it a day. We self shuttled back up to Packer Saddle to ride the Butcher Ranch/Third Divide Trails. OMG - These are some of the top trails I've ever been on. Insanely fast. Incredible views but the hairy exposure in many spots won't let one enjoy it for any length of time.

Nice scenery:




Friday's mileage was right at 35 so we were ready for a good meal. We BBQ'd some nice steaks and enjoyed some fine ales. Initially there was some talk about continuing the previous night's poker tournament but in the end, the beds' siren song was a stronger lure.

Saturday morning Tom and I decided to head to Tahoe to ride the Flume trail. The remainder of the group rode Butcher Ranch again but this time climbed up from the cabin. For Tom and I, the drive to Tahoe was about two hours but well worth it. We started at Spooner Lake and climbed the 5 miles to Marlette Lake. I can't describe how beautiful Tahoe is but hopefully the pic's will at least convey a little.

After the 5 mile grinder and ensuing descent down to Marlette Lake:


The Flume trail is not technical or very challenging at all but the views are to die for.

Tom the Bomb's new avatar:


mas pic's:










Originally we were going to make this a loop ride incorporating the Red Flume trail but we enjoyed the ride up so much we decided to make the ride a little longer and make it an out and back.

Once back at Marlette lake we came around a bend in the trail and Tom comes to a skidding stop. There was a huge-ass bear in the trail! We were about 20' from this fella and quickly decided to back off a bit. He made his way into the brush along the lake's edge before we felt comfortable enough to take out our cameras:

Meet Yogi (center of frame at waters edge):




On the way back down to the trailhead we came upon these strange bright red plants sprouting out of the ground:


We left Tahoe feeling grateful to have enjoyed such a great ride and see such a powerful creature in it's natural habitat.

Sunday we rode Butcher Ranch again. We finished off with a dip in the river (that water is COLD) before a great lunch of Pizza and a couple pitchers of beer.



Muchas Gracias, Tom for setting this up.

C

[therizz]

Tom

Sorry we didnt get a chance to hook up for a ride in Downieville - but what a strange/happy coincidence.

Also - good to let everyone know that cell phones/blackberries don't work in the area.

Lets try to hook up in the Gabes sometime.

Michael

[asian fury]

thanks for the pics. I heard a rumor that they closed one of the only 2 restaurants in town (pizza place and grubsteak) sucks if it's true. grubsteak served some tremendous meals after a long day of riding for me and my buds over the years.

[cjwally]

fury-both are still open.

Thanks to Tom for the cabin. That place is a keeper.

Thanks for the pics Craig.

[Tom Cosgrove]

Sounds good Mike.
Riding the Sart ride this sat let me know if you want to carpool.
Tom

He guys would'nt have been half as fun without you.
Great fun, great riding , great eats and great friends.
That was the biggest bear I have ever encountered!

[Sprockethead]

Nice photos and Yogi musta been hungry after a long nap Thanks Craig.

[dstepper]

Very nice Andy, thanks for the pics.

I will be in Tahoe for two weeks in August come join us for Hole in the Wall and finish the Rim Trail above Marlette Lake.

Not uncommon to see Bears in Tahoe they are everywhere.

The flowers are snow flowers, we also have them in San Gabriels and San Bernardino's.

Dean

[Chaos]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Very nice Andy, thanks for the pics.
Dean

Dean, did the Utah heat finally get to you? It's Crag's RR.

Craig, thanks for the report and pics. sure looks like good fun!

[allison]

Great photos!! Looks like you guys had a great trip. I imagine it was a bit cooler than our weekend in NV/UT

Thanks for posting!

[Pain Freak]

We did that same route when I was up there last September. I'll be following Dean up the hill this August.

I now compare about everything to either Tahoe (for beauty) or Sedona (tech & fun rides). Out of those two places nothing else comes close in my book. I do love Utah, but Tahoe and Sedona are number 1 in my book.

Great RR Craig, thanks, and that is one fat bear for this time of year.

[Ladd Jasper]

Fantastic pics. and report, C. Looks like a great time!

This is almost identical to a photo I saw maybe 12-15 years ago in a Downieville promotional booklet:



I've wanted to ride there ever since, but in the intervening years had almost forgotten. Thanks for the reminder.

[ka0t1c07]

I want to go to Tahoo too. I was in the Bay Area this weekend. Too bad I didnt have my bike with me.

[LBmtb]

My faves are the ones with the dude screaming in the water and the view of the lake