Suidcide Point/ Mexican Creek Loop MTB Ride

A Sunday Afternoon Ride in the Winds

Shoshone NF
August 18th, 2008

The Route:

(click to enlarge)

I hopped on my bike at my house in Lander and left for a Sunday cruise in the Winds right around 10:00am. I returned after 32 miles and5 or 6000 vertical feet of climbing about four and half hours later. My ride time was more like 3.5 hours- I stopped a lot for pictures. It was a great ride. Another classic loop right out of Lander.

Heading up Baldwin Creek Road.

On the dirt after about 5 miles of pavement.

Looking across the draw at one of many switchbacks I'd be riding.

Me and Red Butte.

Red Butte

Crankin' up a switchback. Earning my turns!

The view after the last switchback. Only a hour or so of climbing left!

The roads were actually in great shape. Not nasty dusty and loose like they can get. We had some pretty serious rain just couple of days prior. That seemed to firm things up. Much better conditions then a month ago when I last rode it.

A look down country.

A zoomed in look at the ridge I was heading for.

How far away it really was.

Getting closer.

Cranking up the ridge line adjacent to Suicide Point.

Suicide Point

Up and over the highpoint.

A look down the ridge line I dropped down to Uncle Tom's Spring and Mexican Creek.

Eventually you hit a fence and ATVs are prohibited from going further. Bikes are okay though, and the two track all the way down is in pretty good shape. It's good riding!

Amazing how green it still is for August.

Buzzing down a grassy ridge line.

Even some single track.

A little more.

Over grown two track- great for mountain bikes!

A look back up the ridge I just descended in just few minutes.

The parking area, where the road ends (or the gate is locked) near Uncle Tom's Spring.

Ripping hard packed two track down into Mexican Creek.

Alpine Antelope

Still dropping.

Looking down at the creek.

This was the only part I had to walk all day. I maybe could have cleaned it with fresh legs. Dunno, the bottom is steep, loose and rocky. It was a short section though. After this it tied right into the road I came up. Nothing but blazin' down hill all the way home!

Another look at the route. The profile reflects the entire ride from my house in Lander. The map pretty much just shows the dirt (20 miles).

Back at the ranch...

Tally practiced her "tar" while mom played her "fil". Seamus snoozed in the shade. Quite the duo.

After the jam session, we picked Choke Cherries (we have the yellow kind).

Great ride, great day!

Summer 2008 Kiddo Pics

Summer 2008

This is mostly fer the family. These pictures aren't in any kind of order. Just a medley of nifty kiddo pics from throughout the summer. Proof our critters get out a bit I spose...


Tally at the beach (Frye Lake- Wyoming style):

Testing the water temperature.

Brrrr... cold!

She throws rocks instead!

And plays in mud.

Profile of a Wyoming beach babe!

Views from Antelope Mt, while scouting for Buffalo (I drew a buffalo hunting tag this year):

Boss Seamus lounges in the local flora, Tetons in the background.

That's my boy!

Tally plays with flowers.

Blanket of trouble.

Even more trouble!

Frog Cakes for Breakfast:

See the frog?

Tally chows her frog cakes.

Madison tries not to hurt her frog too much.



Seamus isn't quite the legal age yet for Frog cakes. He ate the counter instead.

A frog cake massacre!

Leadville Train Ride:

Leadville has an old train that takes you up into some to the mining country. It's the perfect thing to do on a pre-race day...

Mandy, Hope and the kiddos enjoy the ride.

A Hamilton clan.

Sleepy time.

Can't keep those girls off me!

Serious Seamus, at your service!

The crew.

Twofers!

Dinner at the Yurt:

While in Leadville we decided to have dinner at the Tennessee Pass Cookhouse. It's a Yurt that's about a mile and half hike in from the parking lot at the Ski Cooper resort. It was quite an adventure!

Saddled up and on our way to dinner.

Approaching the restaurant.

Tally and Hope enjoy the view, rainy as it was, from the Yurt's deck.

Where's the troll?

After an awesome four star, four course meal, it was time to hike out in the mud, mist, fog and rain. They even provided headlamps!


Hope, Mandy and Seamus brave the elements and lead the way. I was the only one that managed to fall in the slop- Tally was entertained!

Tallulah Rides:

Most 2 year olds are satisfied with horsey rides like this. Not Tallulah though...

She's gotta have the real thing! Tallulah shows off on Snooky for Grandpa.

Ride'em Tally! "Thanks Granny and Granpa Hamilton!"

June Turns:

Earlier this year, while we were in Evanston for a bike race, Tally scored some turns on Bald Mountain Pass. She was the only one in the family to score June turns this year!

Spring skiing!


Weehoo!

Swimming Lessons:

Earlier this year Tally had swimming lessons.

Mom took a video of one of the lessons.

South Pass City:

The crew visited South Pass City after the 4th of July.

Tally rides mom!

A walk on the prairie.

At Home:

Tally lets her brother hang out in her room.

Tally has company for long rides in the Chariot now.

Seamus and his Elephant towel.

Hangin' with "brudder!"

Fancy Nancy! Tally dresses up and plays us a tune.

Snoozin' Seamus!