November 27, 2005
Mt.Ord and the 224 Area
For the next few weeks I got this crazy work schedule. I have to go to work twice a day as needed. This really messes up my Saturday rides but I did have time on Sunday to sneak one in. My plan was to got north to an area by Christopher Creek As I left the house I listened to the weather report it said COLD ???? HMMMMMMmmm ? About 30 miles from my house I determined it was really cool out and I wasn’t half way to place I intended to go to. I bailed out on the intended ride and hit Mt Ord. I have been to Mt Ord many times but never really looked for side trails and fire roads off the main road.
Looks like a great place to hunt. It’s the only way animals can cross the highway.
(below) I found some great trails. (below left) There is a reason to have a spark arrestor muffler. I really like driving across the open plains with the cold wind blowing,,,,, Makes me want to sing cowboy song. (I watched too many westerns as a child)
This was a house. All that is left are some pieces. The old ice box is in the bushes rusting away. This would be a great place to come with a metal detector.
Another interesting cabin below. Strange building technique, lumber stacked flat and nailed together.
Funny, 10 years ago these were most likely jeep trails. With the shift in OHV’s to ATV nature has reclaimed some of the width. At the end of the trail was a great view (below) almost looks 3D.
If you go to Mt Ord you have to go to the top or near it. The view are always spectacular !
I hope this picture gives the sensation of how high this really is !
You heard this story before: “I was out too late and it was getting dark----
----I just made it before the storm came in, Bla Bla bla …….. "
I just love this picture. Everything is just so big. Then you figure out you would be just a tiny dot in this picture ????? But not a dot sitting home watching TV all day !
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17 December 2005
Sitesgraves National Forest Lives up to it's reputation!
For a few weeks we have pondered the area centered around the East fork of Canyon Creek. We have not found anyone that could tell us anything about the area and certainly not any pictures. According to the map ???? in the bottom of the canyon is Canyon Creek fish Hatchery. This is a good sign that there must be a passable road going into the area (at least one my ATV can navigate). This entire canyon is located in Sitesgrave National Forest, “that is reputedly the most user unfriendly forest in the nation”. I have almost no time in this forest and had no idea what to expect.
(above) Beautiful forest roads. (below) My fist indication that this may not be a friendly forest.
Looks like more of the same. NO NO NO
If you can't drive on it, can't hunt, can't hike, "what good is it !" ? Far right sign = No breathing ?
By the way, this is ride 36 in under a year ! I’ve had some great rides and some not that great of a ride here and there. Sitesgrave forest lived up to it’s reputation. Notice the pond is frozen this should give you some idea of the coolness at this altitude. I think it is time to head home. But at least I got out today. The worst day ATVing is better than the best day watching TV like a bump on a log.
