Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, 2003 page 4

Tues 4-15-2003 Seely Lake, Montana

     Today we took a rest day, we hung around after sleeping in at the Big Larch Campgrounds. A day to do laundry, ride to town for groceries and swim in Seely lake itself. I checked over the bikes, lubing chains and adjusting brakes.

     It felt great to not HAVE to ride today!
Todays stats;
saddle time  42min 41sec
average spd 11.2   max 19.3
dist 8mi  total dist 420.9
climb 1,200ft tot climb 31,800ft

Wed 7-16-2003 Seely Lake to Big Nelson Campgrounds on Cooper Lake
     Even before we started I had to fix a flat this morning! Still we left at 0800 on a sunny day. It turned out to be soo hot! We climbed along the dirt roads up to the Cottonwood Lakes where we startled a great blue heron as we came around a corner.
     After passing the Monture Work Center we left the Lolo National forest and entered agricultural valleys. We had to cross one valley floor with no trees in the hot sun that took us at least and hour. Upon reaching the shade ot the trees on the other side I pulled out my rain fly and we laid upon it waiting away the heat of the day.
     Even though we were only a few yards from the side of the road the guy spraying for noxious weeds did not stop spraying as he passed! Of the few cars to pass noone stopped to ask if we were ok. So as time went by we shifted our position to stay in the rotating shade and talked of cold drinks and ice cream in the intense heat.
     After a couple of hours we packed up and left headed to camp on a dusty hot dirt road. At one point while I was in the lead a truck passed by without slowing filling the air with foul dust. Some half mile later as I rounded a bend I saw the same truck pulled over. I thought he was checking his mail when out he gets and says to me " I am sorry for all the dust, would you like a popsicle?" Well I could not believe it and of course enthusiasticly said yes! As he was getting them out of his cooler Lynn arrived to which he also offered a cold popsicle. As we stood there sucking them down he explained that he was heading home after grocery shopping, hence the bag of popsicles. Turns out he is a trainer of sled dogs and his family moved here to do just this.

     It was not much further to Cooper Lake where the camp is nestled on the shore. We set up camp and rinsed clothes cooked dinner and swam in the warm lake, Since we had seen bear tracks earlier in the day we made sure to do a bear hang, this time out over the water.
Stats;
saddle time 4:31:56
avg spd 9.1
max spd 29.1
dist 41.3
tot dist 464.9
climb 2,580
tot climb 34,300

Thurs, 7-17-2003 Cooper Lake to Lincoln
     It was an early 0730 start on a cloudless day! We were to find out on our arrival in Helena that Montana was experiencing its worst heat wave in many years. Sometimes ignorance is bliss!
     We spotted deer in the marsh and had a 2 mile ride from the camp to the road. Once there it was a 6 mile climb to the top of Hucklberry Pass, which we accomplished by noon.
     Our typical day would consist of up at maybe 630 eat oatmeal and break camp and start off riding. We would stop to rest and pee together and to take pictures. A Cliff bar break always occured around 10 to 11 am followed by more riding and a lunch of bagles with peanutbutter and honey.

Then more riding and another Cliff bar around 2-3pm and usually around 4-5pm we would roll into camp. Here we set up tent and bags do wash or pump water and cook dinner. Dinner usually consisted of some type of storebought dry food like Lipton's rice or pasta sides. So all we had to do was boil up water and simmer. Sometimes after leaving a town we would have a piece of fresh fruit with our lunch.
       But I digress, on the way to Lincoln on the HOT day we encountered a fellow on on old Shwinn 10spd riding out in the Helena National Forest which we had now entered. He was about 10 miles from town and carried no water. He said he just drank out of the creeks......
     Lincoln, Montana used to be the home of the Unabomber. There is not much there I can see why he picked this town. By the time we arrived it was 96 degrees F! So tinto the only place in town the Subway/store/gas station! Hey they had a/c in there! So we spent the next hour and a half eating and writing postcards in the relative cool of the Subway.

     After recovering enough to go out and about Lynn and I took in the sights about town and in the sporting goods shop we met a Dutch couple who were doing the Divide going South to North.
      We then found camp for the night at the towns Hooper Park that was setting up for the big flea market the next day. After setting up camp we went grocery shopping and the kind lady gave us some free fruit!!
     Back at camp we ran into another Divide rider going solo named Alvin. He had left his food in his tent and the critters had gnawed a hole into his tent to get at it.
     In a town an I am not cooking dinner so I went to the Pitstop a 50's themed restaurant where I had the 4cyl burger and a huckleberry cone. The cone was sooo good when I got back to camp I made Lynn ride over and get one! At $1.50 and they were HUGE!
Stats;
saddle time 2:57:46
avg spd 7.6
mx spd 30.9
dist 22.5
tot dist 489.6
climb 2,250ft
tot climb  36,400ft

Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, 2003 page 3

Sat 7-12-2003 Bigfork to Cedar Creek campground

There was a big hill after an early start for us, something that was to be the regime of the trip. A big hill to start the day off with. It was very hot and we saw very little traffic as we traveled down past Swan Lake. It was 116F in the sun at 4pm.

Something I was to only understand later that even though you are in the forested Rocky Mountains the roads are largely open and without ready shade.
We did find some shade and sat in it from 2 to 4pm. We arrived at the campsite after a long downhill around 6pm. The campgrounds were heavy with mosquitos! I was very tired and there was too much heat! We had chili for dinner.
Todays stats;
Riding time 5.02.16
average spd 7.4mph
max spd 27.2
distance 37.3mi.
total distance 322.7mi.
ascent 5360ft
total asc 24,500ft

Sunday 7-13-2003 Cedar Creek to Holland Lake
We broke camp early to try to beat the heat. You have to backtrack up the hill to the turn off for the route which we had passed on yesterdays downhill. So we rode up and took the first left.
After riding a ways the route sheet and the landmarks did not line up and there were no other bicycle tracks so we knew we were lost! I turned on the Garmin Legend gps I had brought with the topo maps downloaded for just this situation.

We found that we had ridden 4.5 miles out of our way towards Shay Lake!
First we tried to find a way thru on the old logging roads but the one we wanted had a deep gully in it. So we went back to the downhill and climbed up to the proper turn. All in all we lost one and a half hours of valuable "cool" time!
Today turned out to be cloudy with good loong climbs and our first singletrack in the Mission Mountains. Very pretty country and Holland Lake is very nice. We had dinner and went to  the Lodge for our first huckleberry soda. The campgrounds were pretty full with RV's and trailers everywhere.
The lodge is expensive back then the filet migion was $22 and Elk medallions 24. To stay there was $95.00 per person per night, but included breakfast and dinner.
Travel time 6.19.03
average spd 7.5
max spd 24.8
dist 47.8
total dist 370.5
climb 3,780ft
total climb 28,100

Monday 7-14-2003 Holland Lake to Seely Lake
It was cool in the morning and after our oatmeal breakfast we headed off. Going along the western edge next to "The Bob", The Bob Marshall Wilderness. At around 10 miles we came to a turn off for Clearwater Lake, It was a short distance off the road down a great singletrack. The lake is exqusite!

We saw deer and loons and wood ducks. Taking to opportunity of the fresh water and isolation we elected to rinse our laundry for the day.
About 3 miles later we started the climb of the day a 5.5mile climb in granny first gear up a beautiful canyon, in the warm sun. We pumped(filtered) water about half way up and drank plenty, it felt good to be riding smart!
After the climb the trail winds along the eastern side of Richmond Peak above Grizzly Basin. This part is double track and becomes single track on the downhill end. We had to cross downed trees and landslides.

The trail is rocky and with close in vegetation. I had my first flat tyre after crossing a downed tree.
Downhill thru Grizzly Basin was the best I've ever done! It has beauty and speed with intermediate to beginner skill level. We saw no griz but did stop to scope out a herd of elk on the opposite side of the basin. At the end of the single track back to the road and we found that Lynn had lost her lock and cable, the one she had had 20 years since high school!
Another couple doing the Divide caught us here Sean and Mimi, both were pulling B.O.B.'s like mine.

We screamed down the fireroad and the top part of my flag came out unknown to me. Lynn also missed seeing it. As I waited for her at a senic overlook I noticed it was missing....Mimi found it and when they caught up to us there she gave it back.
Lynn was tired today, We rode into Seely lake and had fig newtons and gatorade and did some food shopping for the next couple of days. I had a burger and fries and called the kids for the first time in a week.
Riding time 6.00.49
avg spd 6.8
max spd 29.4
dist 41.1mi
total dist 412.8mi some miles in town and camp
today climbing 3,760ft
total climb 31,700ft

Great Divide Mountain Bike Route 2003 page 2

On July eighth of 03 saw us leave our bandit camp on Graves Creek Rd and ride thru our intended camp site at Tuchuk campgrounds. Here we found many mosquitos and we were the only food on the menu! Quick to leave and glad we didn't make it here last night. This part of Montana is beautiful, not yet the "Big Sky Country" but bear country as evidenced by the scat we found.
We crossed the Whitefish Divide walking thru the snow.

The pass had been offically opened just 4 days earlier. Eventually we came to North Fork Rd on the Western side of Glacier National Park. Along the way we came across 2 men cutting up firewood from downed trees. Here at an old homestead we stopped for lunch.

We saw bald eagle and western tanagers. There was a badass climb up to Red Meadow Lake tonites campsite as recommended by the guide book. Getting there put us back on schedule.
It was sooo pretty!! With MUCHO mosquitos! Now my second bear hang and I think I have perfected my technique. Now bears again and only 1 car drove by all day. We really felt like we were "out there" Just what I had dreamed about when first reading about the Pacific Crest Trail.
After dinner and setting up camp I looked over the bikes and made some adjustments.

July 9 2003
Waking up to a chilly morning Lynn and I cooked oatmeal and broke camp.

Since we had crossed the Whitefish Divide yesterday there was a great downhill awaiting us today. The downhill took us along the Eastern side of Upper Whitefish Lake and into Whitefish itself.
This night we camped along the Flathead River at Catharine's brothers house. Here we were able to swim in the river and get cleaned up.
We had ridden 9h 56m for 226.8mi

July 10 2003
After a restfull night on the comfy grass we said goodbye to our new friends and pedaled off around 10 am. Only an hour later and Lynn is struggling to keep up and is having bike problems. Over the years she has worn out her front rim from constant braking and the brake pad has gotton stuck under the rim.
We decided that she need to get her bike repaired back in Whitefish. So I stay there with all the gear while she rides back to get a new wheel. Around 2pm Lynn and Catherine return in a car. We have now decided to use one of our rest days because we have lost so much time today. So back to Whitefish, this time to Catherines parents house on the lake, which we took advantage of and swam in. Also laundry was done.
After dinner Catherine decided to join us for the ride to Bigfork where she will be picked up by Tanya her sis-in-law.
Not to far today only 233.7 total miles. A big 6.9 miles today!

July 11 2003 Whitefish to Bigfork
HOT 93F! Catherine rode with us today, she unloaded, Lynn with her panniers and I with my trailer. It must have been easy for her to keep up! We had a flat and met Tom Arnonne riding along the way. He invited us to his place for a rest stop where we met his wife, Patty,

and got to see his bike collection.
Arriving in Bigfork we stayed at the Wayfarers State Park. Had dinner in town and went grocery shopping for the next 3 days supplies. This time we swam in Flathead Lake, it was huge warm and rocky, and had showers!
time 4h57m55s dist 51.5mi total dist 285.2mi average speed 10.4mph

Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, 2003

I have to go into the wayback machine for this Mr. Peabody!

In the early 1970's National Geographic came out with an article about the Pacific Crest Trail. A 2000mi+ hiking trail along the Serria Nevada and Cascade ranges from Canada to Mexico. I was in the Navy at the time and the idea caught my fancy. I kept the magazine hoping to do the trek when I got out.
Well, I did not. Instead I got a job and a motorcycle, Land Rover. Then hit by a car on my bike breaking my ankle in 3 places. During recovery I met a woman and fell in love. We married, had kids and went on Rover trips to the Black Rock Desert.
Fast forward to the late 1990's, mountain bikes have been around for over a decade, a company dedicated to bicycle touring( Adventure Cycling Assoc.)has created a route from Canada to Mexico following the Continental Divide of the Rocky Mtns. Once again I read about it in a magazine.
Now divorced and kid free, an avid cyclist and mountain biker in 2003 I start planning and seeking other riders. Starting with 10 peoples when it came time to go only one other stood with me at the starting line. Now my good friend Lynn.

In 2003 we rode from Port of Rooseville, Montana to Helena, Montana.
What follows is the story of that first leg of our journey.

We had found a way to have a car shuttle from Whitefish, Mt. to Clancy, Mt. just south of Helena, so we drove Lynn's car up Calif thru Oregon to Washington across Idaho and ended in Whitfish at one of Lynn's friends house Catherine.

The following day we rode up the 2 lane highway to the town of Eureka, Mt. Just a few miles south of the Canadian border. Here we pitched camp and the next day with our bikes not so heavely loaded rode up to the border and followed the route back to Eureka.

In Eureka I had to get my rear hub adjusted as it was llose and making shifting hard. Back in camp we met Slim and Diane they were doing the GDMBR on dirt bikes.
Then we packed up and started south on the GDMBR. Our first camping destination was to be Tuchuk campgrounds. It was very pretty and hot on this seventh day of July in 2003.
We found the going tough and the hills long as we climbed up them on Graves Road our first off pavement ride. Along the way we ran into a US Border patrolman who teased us about being on the wrong road!
As the ride progressed we decided not to make for Tuchuk and instead camped along Graves Creek, Here I learned how to do a double bear hang. I discovered I packed too much food and we were not bothered by bears that night.

In 4:22 of riding we had covered 35 miles with 14,700ft of climbing! No wonder we were tired.

Volcanic Death Valley

---

All,

On Nov. 18th 2010 Vincent and I left the San Jose area around noon to go to DV on a trip with the Southern California Land Rover Club(SCLR.org).
We drove down to Ridgecrest and spent the night in a motel. The plan was to meet at the Trona Pinnacles at 0830 on Friday. After breakfast we headed out following the instructions from Mr. Garmin. Well he took us the long way around and we came in the back door down road 143 that hadn't been graded since the Plistocene Era! It was like driving on top of the ocean waves in a tight swell ~~~~~~~

The view was fantastic when we arrived and we drove thru the pinnacles

and found the group.
The trip leader Frank came and introduced himself. Quickly a couple of other Rovers showed up and soon there were 13 coilers at Trona. After instructions we took off North thru Trona and after about 7.5 miles turned onto a dirt road headed East over the Slate Range.
This road was to take us to Fish Canyon along the escape route of the Bennet-Arcane families from Death Valley. From there to go north to Ballarat and do the Pleasant Canyon Loop and finish in Furnace Creek by sundown.
The Slate Range trail was fun and not difficult with great views from the ridge tops of the Panamint Valley and the Briggs mine. Once you get to the entrance of Fish Canyon you find the marker

for Father Fish, a 49'er who died there whose body was found by the Bennet-Arcane families, also 49'ers.
The weather was mostly sunny and probably in the low 70's with a chill gusty wind.
At the base of the alluvial fan we turned North and headed towards Ballarat. Alan was on the radio talking about the volcanic and tetonic action in the valley.
A quick break in Ballarat alors down the Wingate road to South Park Canyon Rd, an inoccuous left turn onto a dirt track. Climbing up the switchbacks proved tough for the stock Disco's and one imparticular. A couple of shelf road sections and we were into the canyon itself. Loose rock and sand in a couple of hundred yards we came to a low rocky step. Carlos' Disco

couldn't make it up and after several tries and some effort by Eric to engage the center diff lock(cdl) an hour and a half later it was decided to turn around as we were blocking the tightest spot in the canyon and it was already 2 pm. The loop takes 6.5hrs travel time. Carlos had more trouble getting out of the canyon and we made it the 70 miles to Furnace Creek just after dark.
Vincent and I headed to camp

while the (most) of the rest went to the Furnace Creek Ranch Hotel. After our dinner of salami, cheese and burgers we went and asked about the morning meeting.
Saturday found us meeting at by the temporary Visitors Center at 0830. A quick talk and onto refueling and airing down and now we are 17 coilers. Then the lineup photos,,,,,Oh now we are moving to Marble Canyon.....stop for something in Stovepipe Wells....onto the dirt to Marble........ A long dusty track to the canyon opening, easy going we got to the entrance of the canyon

and hiked into the volcanic upheaval and marble deposition of the canyon. Here we encountered 2 tarantula spiders also hiking the canyon. I hung back and listened to the solitude of the canyon and took some panorama photos of the canyon walls. Because of my ankle I could not go all the way with the group and hear all of Alan's descriptions so I tried to grok the area I was in.
Upon returning to the vehicles lunch was eaten and then Alan gave a good talk about the tectonic and volcanic action of the park and the earthquake faults which resulted from the volcanic action.
Soon we exit the canyon and drove right past the petroglyphs???? The plan was to go to Mosaic Canyon next and then to Zabriskie Point for sunset. Well due to Vincents knowledge of the Valley we decided it was too late to do both and we opted for Zabriskie and the sunset. I was not disappointed there was much beauty to be seen there! We arrived in a very gusty wind, about 20 min prior to sunset. Most visitors just came up looked and left it was so windy and cold, at times it almost knocked you over.

Returning to Furnace Creek we explored the solar array that I found when checking out the Valley on GoogleEarth. As we headed back to camp the others came in from Mosaic, it was about 30 min after sunset.
Sunday morning we broke camp and got to the visitor center by 0800 so I could go shopping before the 0830 meeting. At the meeting Frank awarded Alan a membership to the SCLR, #1000 as a thank you for doing the trips.
Off we go the quarter mile to the refuel station $4.50/gal premium and take off for Chloride City Trail. Headed towards Beatty, Nv. and turning off on to the unmarked dirt road. Fairly easy trail with some high clearance issues, we passed an astounded mountain biker going our way. I bet he thought he was going to be all alone! At Chloride Cliffs the view is astounding!

You can see the southern end of Death Valley at the Owlshead Mtns, to the north end where Ubhebe Crater resides. In between you can see Badwater, lowest point, Telescope Peak, highest point. You can locate Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells, Whitetop Mtn and you can look over the Cottonwood Part of the Panamint range and see the tops of the Inyos on the other side of Saline Valley. Truly spectacular, GO THERE!
Vincent an I checked out a mine and we were off for Titus Canyon. On the way Shah hit a boulder in the road and got a flat that slowed us down and Vincent and I decided to forgo Titus so we could get home at a somewhat managable hour. It was an 8+ hr drive. When we stopped to say goodbye at the paved road it was snowing, not much but a few flakes. Goodbyes said we aired up and departed. On the way home we took pictures of the snow on Telescope Peak,

Cerro Gordo(Linus and I went there July, Vincent went with Marie Claire(his fiance) a few weeks later)
I got home about midnight. Same time as the trip leader. All in all I had a great time and learned a good deal about the volcanic Death Valley. I had to get a new camera and this one takes the panorama photos which took me awhile to learn.

Thanks to Vincent for putting up with me! To Frank and Alan for organizing, to Simon and Nina for thier hospitality.

Death Valley, Page 3

Day 8, Fri.      After a lazy start we headed over to Saline Valley Rd and to McElroy Canyon. Here Andy knew of a cabin. He had actually met the owner in the past. Andy has been coming to Death Valley since 1947 and is 82 years old.      Andy knew the way and soon we reached a Y in the road I drove up the left side and stopped about midway up. Then I hiked over to the edge of the wash and spotted the cabin on the far side of the wash below me. Using the radio I directed the others to the edge of the wash where they continued down and across on foot to visit the cabin.     The story of the cabin is that a man in Lone Pine in the Owens Valley was told of a valley on the other side of the Inyo Mtns. So he packed up a beehive and hiked over the Inyos( a 6000 to 7000 ft climb) and found this canyon where he built a cabin from drift wood and stone. Subsequently he hiked back over to Lone Pine and brought back a dresser. He thought he was alone with Saline Valley to himself. He never went down into Saline Valley and from his cabin you can not see much of it as it sits on the side of a wash. Then one night he saw lights moving along on Saline Valley Rd.  But now the cabin is known as "The Beekeepers Cabin". If I remember correctly the cabin was built in the early 1900's and he stopped living there in the 1940's.      After visiting the cabin Andy took us to the wop-a-sha, a warm water spring. This one is a concrete pond with the biggest bullfrogs I've ever seen! Then we headed back to the springs for dinner.      After dinner and storytelling and chasing Rachel(Mo's 6yo daughter) around, I headed over to the springs where Andy was holding court. I spent the next 5 hours in the springs socalizing and star watching while listening to a couple play music and sing.      All too soon it was midnight and the bonfire lit and fireworks set off. One man jumped naked from the spring and went out to stand by the bonfire! (not me). I was in bed by 0100. Day 9, Sat.      We rang in the New Year with a nicely cooked communal breakfast.      It was decided to head out today and get an early start on the long journey home, we could cut 3 hours off by staying in the Boxcar Cabin. So we packed up camp and our first target was Hunter Canyon south on Saline Valley Rd.      It quite evident that no-one had been there for some time as there were no tracks in the soft ground. We climbed up off the valley floor along a very rocky road. At the end was an old falling down structure. Once again those that could hike went off up the draw to the canyon mouth to see what they could see. I stuck around and looked at where I was, here I found the weathered post that has NANBI LINE on it.      When the others returned we headed back towards the road, as we decended I espied a curious rock structure that turned out to be an old arrastre. An arrastre is an old way of grinding up stones to make dust so you can pan the ore out of it, it consists of a circle of flat stones upon which other stones are dragged around by a burro tethered to a central post. Andy declared this as the best one he's ever seen.      We then continued over to Grapevine Canyon along the way Mo hit a rock and dented his wheel causing a flat on his 109. Meanwhile Brett and I were ahead having a cattle encounter of the third kind. Drovers were bringing a herd of cattle down the canyon as we were headed up. Later on Rachel was allowed to pet one of the calfs.      It was cold so when we got to the Boxcar Cabin Brett and I refueled our vehicles and aired up for the trip home(Thanks Brett!) then we set fire in the woodburner and boiled hot water for drinks as the others rolled up.      Linus and Andy had decided to go to Panamint Springs Resort and get Andy back to his truck so Andy could visit his friend in Keeler. So they departed quickly for about a 3 hour round trip. The rest of us cooked and talked and played with Rachel. After dinner Rachel crashed hard and the 3 of us Mo, Brett, and I talked and stoked the fire. Linus returned and after more talking and a few beers we hit the sack. Day 10, Sun.       We got up and quickly packed in the cold and left in the freezing morning. At the gas station in Olancha Linus and I said good-bye to our 9 day camping buddy Brett, and to Mo and Rachel. We were headed to Bakersfield and they to L.A.      I caught up to Linus in Wasco after a snowy crossing of the Tehachapi's and under my transfer case was a large puddle of oil. Lunch was across the street and the puddle grew there. I went over to a closed business and tightend the bolts holding the cover plate on, 6 of them were loose! Linus went on ahead as I stopped and added 2 qts of 90wt. Along the way home my drive line started to vibrate and I worried about that on the rest of the way home. I later found that the U-joint by the parking brake had lost all the needle bearings in one end. I replaced all 4 driveline u-joints once home.      Other than that the rest of the trip home was uneventful until I came to the valley in which I live. A strong storm had come thru and knocked down a couple of trees along Hwy 9 causing me 1 detour.       All in all I had a great time despite the cold and the wind. Thanks to Linus for letting me come along and to Andy Browne for all the history he shared. To Brett for coming and being in the moment with me!      Mark your calendars for this year! 2011 gene Sun gps stats Stopped 9h 39 m moving  18h 23m max spd 70.7mph moving avg   35.3mph overall avg 23.1mph odo 649.42mi total ascent 26,0073ft max el    6,283ft

Photos can be seen;  <a href=http://www.picasaweb.google.com/poppageno/>here</a>

All,
I have managed to get some of my videos from Death Valley this
Christmas out of my memory card and up onto YOUTUBE.
Enjoy!
gene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUxiR0Sxmao
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgYpn8cRPV4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRS-TGaO3FI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3VR-rAskqg

Page 2, DV2010

Day 4, Mon.      I stayed at Briggs cabin while Linus and Brett went to Panamint Springs Resort to pick up Linus's friend Andy Browne, Dave G. and fuel for us all.  The Briggs cabin is named after Harry Briggs the orginal owner and is an Adopt-a-cabin. It has 2 full size beds and 4 bunk beds, a potbelly stove, running water, a hot water heater(bring propane!), solar panels, radio/cd player, horseshoe pit, mining ore cars, out house. It is one of the better kitted cabins. Just down the hill from it is the Stone Cabin, not so large but very well kitted out.      While they were gone I occupied the cabin and cut lumber and chopped firewood for the fire. they had left around 0910 and Paul VKD showed up around 1100. He had talked to Brett and Linus around the begining of the road. Soon Paul was settled in and we were sitting in the sun enjoying a cold one.  Then we could hear the sound of an approaching vehicle, it turned out to be a Scoutmaster, with 3 boy scouts, wanting to show them the cabin.      Paul and I encouraged them and were soon back to our pleasures when we heard a yelp come from the backyard. Thinking nothing of it, that they were having fun. Quickly 2 of the Scouts ran down to us and asked us to help thier scoutmaster as he had fallen and hit his head on a post. I told Paul to go up while I got my first aid kit. As I got it I had visions of this guy with a post stuck in his head! Wondering how in the world we were going to get him out of there. It being  an hour to the road and another hour to the nearest town. The Briggs mine would have been closer in retrospect.      Upon my arrival at the accident site the man was standing up and what had happend follows; The 3 Scouts were posed infront of the outhouse with its signage and he was backing up to take a photo. He tripped over the backstop for the horseshoe pit and struck his back next to his spine at shoulder level with the horseshoe stake. It did not penetrate the skin but slid up his neck to stop at his hairline leaving a fine rash that was not bleeding. After assurances he was OK they left.      Paul and I had another cold one and I decided to go exploring. I hiked up the 1/4 mile to the spring where the cabin gets its water. A steep climb with an uneventful end. Great views above the cabin though.      Linus and Brett and Andy arrived around 1600 having left the  Resort around 1400. Dave G. form Colorado was a no-show. Dinner and drinking ensued with a nice fire in the homemade stove. Mon gps stats: stopped 6h 42m moving 7h 26m moving avg 15.5mph max spd  55.4 overall avg 8.2mph odometer 115.57m elevation 3966ft total ascent 13,789ft max el  6450ft Day 5, Tues.      After waking up and packing up we cleaned the cabin, shut off the water and took down the flag. All to soon we were headed down the canyon past the stone cabin to exit SPC. Without any further excitement we reached Wingate Rd and turned South.       Soon we had passed the Briggs Mine, reportedly a million and a half dollars of ore leaves here every week, at the bottom of Redlands Canyon. On the road we chanced upon an abandoned rental Jeep with a flat tyre. The campstove was set up on the side of the road at the front of the jeep and a 1 gal fuel can empty at the rear. Inside a backpack with stuff inside.     Going ahead we changed the tyre and drove on leaving a note saying this was all we could do. afew miles later we crossed paths with Dave G. and his lovely family in thier G wagon. They had been camping up Goler Wash at the Neuman mine.  Owen was excited to see a Valley named after him and Wyatt reported they had seen a roadrunner, Jenna was happily playing a video game. They decided to continue on and go to Saline springs and we to go to Striped Butte.      We did not stop at the Neuman mine on our way up Goler Wash. Along the way we hit the gatekeeper waterfall. I'm guessing it is about a 14in climb with rocky bumps on top. Linus took 3 tries with Da Snork to finaly make it up. Next was Paul's turn in his 109 He hit it kinda at an angle and took 2 tries to get up using his locker in the rear. Brett took a few tries going too slow at first and having trouble with the front wheel stopping on the rocky bumps on the top at the same time the rears hit the bottom of the ledge. Coaxing him to more speed got him up and over. Now my turn. I hit it with a little more angle than Paul and the speed of Brett and went right up on one go.      Onward up to the Lotus mine where we drove to the top and inspected the mineshaft and machinery. During lunch at the top I was able to get some really good echos off the canyon walls.      Back down in the canyon we headed off to Barker Ranch. Once a large stone ranch house it is best know for being the last hideout of the Manson gang. It burned down a few years ago all that is left is the stone husk.      In order to get into Butte Valley we had to climb over Mengal's pass. there is one big white step to climb and I knew I was in for it when Linus stopped in front of me to watch me go up. I had seen him do it so I had it in 1st low and just put the diesel to it.........no problem! Would have liked a video of that one! There were some rough sections on the way up but most of the tight hard parts were on the way down from the monument. One spot put a new stroke of character on the patina of Da Snork.      Once in the Valley we first stopped at Russell Cabin and then Stellas's Cabin. Both are in need of a clean up and repair. We then headed over to the Geologist Cabin nearer Striped Butte. This cabin was  built by Carl Mengals out of stone. We quickly put up the flag and moved in, followed by dinner and a fire. Andy told stories of people and places he knew and Linus read from a book titled "Loafing Death Valley Trails". the wind Howled outside and lifted some of the roofing paper off. The wind was so strong that andy could not sleep outside as is his wont so we bedded down like sardines on the cement floor around 2200. Day 6, Wed.      After breakfast we went exploring on the west side of Butte Valley following the roads toward Redlands Canyon and looking for Emmit Harders aluminum cabin.      First we came to a road which led to an unnamed mine. Brett and I crawled inside and found a stove and a verticle shaft past a cave-in. While Linus climbed to the top of the shaft on the outside.      Venturing on we found a side road into a deadend canyon with a campsite at the end. Then the next one took us to Emmit's cabin. A quick inspection and we were away down to the end of Redlands Canyon. We hit the bottom and turned back up. I was usually in second or third low range on this "road".      Back in Butte Valley, Paul and I headed to Striped Butte to have a look see and lunch, but the road was closed off about half way there. Brett, Linus and Andy headed over to look at Anvil Springs. so named because a frustrated miner threw an anvil in it. Due to the heavy wind Paul and I headed back to the cabin for lunch. After a bit we were joined by the others who found nothing at the springs. Then lunch ensued and during which Linus and Brett decided to climb Striped Butte and off they went.      Andy, Paul and I waited in the relative comfort of the cabin, as we did so we watched a hiker cross the valley floor. As he approached, Andy(an avid hiker) went out and met him and invited him to spend the night. The hiker was a 21yo Canuk from Quebec named Manu. He was spending some time trying to hike and hitchhike to all the US National Parks.      After all were together again we ate dinner and sat by the fireplace built by Mengals. Around 2100 Paul discovered that it was snowing. By 2200 when we went to bed there was 1.5-2in of the stuff on the ground. And by midnight the wind had picked up again and the snow had stopped with clear skies. Wed gps stats stopped  4h 25m moving  5h 18m moving avg    9.4mph max spd   33.9mph overall avg   5.1mph odo 50.13mi total ascent   9,672ft max el      4.896ft Day 7, Thur.      We awoke to the cold wind blowing once again, it made using the exposed toilet quite the experience! The harsh wind had blown the snow from all the exposed surfaces. so we cooked, packed, cleaned up the cabin and left Manu to walk.      For me the climb back up to Mengals Pass was not as bad as I thought it would be. No new body damage or multiple runs...just photo ops in the snow strewn countryside. We cruised across the pass and then down Goler Wash. We stopped at the Lotus mine where we cut some firewood for the next few days at Saline Valley.      Driving down the wash it narrowed down until we hit the gatekeeper, where all  drove down with the aplomb common to Series Rovers!      Out on Wingate Rd. we had to chase down Linus who sometimes gets like a horse to the barn. Here Paul VKD said his good-byes, his time is limited by home and hearth and job. Good to see you again Paul maybe we will see you at Mendo in the spring!      The rest of us turned North and headed to Panamint Springs Resort to refuel both Rovers and Bodies. Great burgers! and Say Hi to Alexis when you stop in. Once again we hit the road to Saline Valley. It has suffered from washouts and incomplete repairs but is completely passible, best with high ground clearance vehicles but 4x4 not needed. The road down Grapevine Canyon is unchanged, it lacked the snow of 09 but the water crossings had lots of ice even at 1600 when we passed thru. The valley road was its usual washboard. It was dark by the time we finished our 40mph run up the valley.      On our approach we spotted Phil's Christmas lights together with Mo's 109. A few minutes later and hugs all around we set up tents for the first time. After dinner it was time to hit the hot springs. A few hours being warm in the springs meeting other campers and then off to sleep for the last night of 2010! Thur gps stats stopped 3h 21m moving 5h 31m moving avg   22.4mph max spd    61.1mph overall avg    13.9mph odo    123.79mi total ascent    7,917ft max el    6,258ft