Riding the Cascades in December!! (pic heavy)

[ACLakey]

Yeah, it's been crazy weather(or lack there of) this winter so we decided to give the Brown Mountain Loop a try. Normally there is several feet of snow and the only folks enjoying this area are cross country skiers and snow mobielers. It started out cold and when we left the trail head it was a brisk 27F.



On the North facing slopes the snow got deeper and was crusty...made for some work in spots.



We made it to the top and got ready for the 7+ mi downhill to come...my favorite part :) I set the phone on my pack and got a quick pic of all of us. The camera setting was on snow which made the pictures I took today a little hazy.



More blowdowns....there were quite a few.



Poser pics of my buddies new bike....one heck of a way to break it in.



Random pics from the trail.













Had to cross a road....good time for lunch.





We headed North again over the lava flows to Fish Lake then the trail turned to the High Lakes Trail which ends up at Lake of the Woods. This trail is usually a fast and fun one but the crusty snow in the shade made it work!









All in all it was a great time but was the thoughest time we have made the loop...looking forward to the next one.

[gusstrand]

VERY cool, Andrew! I know of those trails, but not on bikes in snow! Great job, and thanks for taking us with you!