GDMBR Day 07
This is my first internet access in days and it won’t let me post photos. I’ll post those when I make it to civilization.
Start: Lower Black Canyon Campground
Finish: Informal trail side campground
Miles: 62.3 miles
Odometer: 253.4 miles
Ascent: 4,800 ft
Descent: 4,400 ft
Location: https://share.garmin.com/Judice
Highlights:
Riding through the Gila National Forest has been a real treat. I stopped at the Beaverhead Ranger Station for water and lunch. I was setting up at the picnic table just outside the ranger station when a wildland firefighter came out for a visit. He gave me a brief tour, an insider’s look into wildland firefighting, and the local lore on the Apache warrior, Geronimo. Right now they’re gearing up for wildfire season. I was about to head out when he walked up with a frozen bottle of Gatorade. He said just wait a little while and this will turn to slush. I sure did enjoy that slushy Gatorade. What a nice fella!
I ran into my first two fellow GDMBR cyclists. Max (from Belgium) and Simon (France) rode up with music blaring out of a rather large music player attached to the back rack of Max’s bike. They had loads of gear and said they were just taking it easy and riding slowly. Even though I like riding alone, it’s nice knowing other riders are on the trail with the same goal in mind.
I was riding down a dirt road through a beautiful little valley with canyon walls on both sides. The green pasture was cut by a creek lined with lovely trees. I am riding in the zone sucking in the fresh air when I see a four wheeler heading my way followed by a pack of hound dogs. I stopped to talk to the couple in the four wheeler when the gentleman says, “Where are you headed?” I said, “I’m going to Canada.” He said, “This road goes to our house. You missed the turn back there.” I said, “Well, if I have to be lost, this is a beautiful place to be lost.” We talked a little while about my travels and I asked them about those hound dogs running around everywhere.“ He said, "Oh, they keep the bears and lions away. There are bears and mountain lions all over this area.” They topped off my water, I turned around and found the missed turn. About 30 minutes later, I saw a black bear and he saw me. He ran straight up a steep hill. I gave him the side eye as I passed. As an aside, I saw a mountain lion from afar last September when I was riding the Oregon Timber Trail and I sure don’t want to run into one again.
Lowlights:
None
Observations:
There sure are a lot of fences around. Some of the fences keep things out and some of the fences keep things in. I’m not so sure we need all those fences. And attached to the fence is a sign that says “Posted. No Trespassing”. And what the heck does the word “posted” have to do with anything? It’s easier just to say “No Trespassing”. Why do they even need to tell me not to trespass, especially when the fence is barbed? Any old fool knows not to go over a barbed wire fence.