[admiral]

Goal: Ride ATV trails and logging roads from the Zimmer Creek ATV access to East Mountain Lookout and back in one day. My secondary goal was to ride the 10 mile long ATV trail from Skunk Creek Saddle to the lookout.



Reality: It didn't quite turn out that way, and ended up taking 2 days, but it wasn't all my fault. I swear!



For those non-Idahoans, this ride is east of State Hwy 55 between Boise and Cascade, Id.



Day 1, 9/12/2012. Short take; I encountered logging operation #1 which totally blocked my route. I then spent about 2 hours looking over maps (GPS no help at this point) and riding re-routes from the maps. Close to hooking back up to my GPS route, BAM, encountered logging operation #2. Eventually, I was able to hook back up to my GPS route, but it was getting late and I knew I wouldn't make it all the way. So I rode up the road aways, took a break, then headed home to end day 1 not knowing when I'd be able to finish this ride.





Looking at the map, my intended route is in green. My day 1 alternate path is in orange. I turned around at an intersection near Bear Wallow in the center of the map and headed back to end day 1. BTW, I started Day 2 at this intersection.

First part of ride was on the Zimmer Creek ATV trail. Forum member Sscooter posted a video of this back in May I think.

There are some things to watch out for! I saw this same tree in Sscooter's video.

Zimmer Pass. Went right and encountered logging operation 1 (no pictures). Came back here and went left on one of many alternate routes

I was becoming a little more comfortable with the route as I started to see some signs of places I've been

Later in the ride, I encounter logging operation 2. They didn't have any signs posted that they were logging. A tree was felled straight ahead just as I got there. I was a little miffed of the work on a main road without any warning signs. Dust is still in the air in the photo from the felled tree!

Turn around point. Knew I wasn't gonna make it, so I decided to take a short break and head back. Here Georgie's marking here territory for when we return.

And some video action

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LathLY577Uo[/media]



End of day 1, stay tunned for day 2

 

[admiral]

Day 2 Zimmer Creek to East Mountain Lookout:



Georgie giving me the high sign. I think I heard her say "hurry up, let's get going"

Lots of smoke in the air from all the forest fires

Critter tracks!!! Mr Bear, Mr Wolf above Mr Bear tracks, Georgie tracks to the right, and Mr Deer tracks more to the right. BTW I saw lots of bear, wolf, deer and elk tracks today

Made it to the trail

Day 2 video

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtPQroCDxJQ[/media]



About a mile up the trail, I biffed it. You know the excuse, uphill, loose dirt, not enough power. This was my only biff on the day, but I can see a 55 tooth sprocket in my future!

Trail still has some obstacles

During a trail break, I got a photo of Georgie with some trail dust. BTW, I noticed she's starting to get a lot of gray around her snout as she gets older. Just like me!

We made it to the old East Mtn Lookout!

The lookout was gonna be converted to a rental and was a historic lookout. Apparently it burned in a fire in 2002.

Photo from Rex's Fire Lookout website.

to be continued

 

[admiral]

Day 2 continued



American Flag placed at the lookout. I was kind of surpirsed to see one flying when I got there

A family was very kind to place one there. Being retired military, I took a moment to think of some of my friends who are no longer with me (us).

I also grabbed a few geocaches on the ride today

Near the end of my ride, I took this photo of Georgie and at a quick glance she looks like a bear cub if you have an imagination

I think she does anyway

Hope you enjoy.



P.S. My wife says I should ride with someone when out in the boonies. I tell her I do . . . Georgie!

 

[B-dub]

Awesome videos! Great ride report! I love the description and pictures of your ride. That's some awesome country to explore. Regarding Georgie, she does look kind of like a bear cub. You better hope some old mama bear doesn't claim Georgie and leave her cub for you to raise!

My old chocolate lab got real gray before he died at 17. He loved to ride in the pickup. He had great health and could jump in the truck until near the end, when I had to lift him in the truck. He was like Georgie in that if I was going anywhere in the truck he figured he should go. Are you packing? It makes me a little nervous to see all those wolf and bear tracks. Don't they know they're wild critters and are supposed to stick to the single track trails and such?

 

[losttourist]

Thanks for the ride report! As mentioned above the videos are marked private so we cant see it. You ride with your dog, that is so cool!

 

[admiral]

My old chocolate lab got real gray before he died at 17. He loved to ride in the pickup. He had great health and could jump in the truck until near the end, when I had to lift him in the truck. Are you packing? It makes me a little nervous to see all those wolf and bear tracks.

Dogs are so cool in that way. I dread the day Georgie will no longer be able to go. I hope I have to quit before her, but it's gonna be close, giggle!



And yep, always packing when off the pavement. Though from what I see, bears are pretty quick, so I try to keep on a'movin.

Thanks for the ride report! As mentioned above the videos are marked private so we cant see it. You ride with your dog, that is so cool!

Oops, got the video's fixed. My previous dog (Todd) was like B-dub's, good truck riding dog, but too big for the TW. Georgie's just the right size!

 

[losttourist]

wow that's wild! thanks again for posting the vids and report. I bet your dog just loves you for taking him on these trips. fantastic.

 

[retmotor]

Neat. Beautiful country. Looks like fun roads.

 

[Woofhound]

Great ride report Admiral. Kinda makes me wish i was back there again. My Reno loves to ride also, but she's a little too big for the bike. She does fit on my Zuma and loves riding in the sidecar on the street. I'm gonna try real hard to make it back to idaho next summer to do a little exploring and would love to hook up with you. If you have any interest in coming out my way I would be more than happy to take a few days off work. I have a 30' Holiday Rambler motorhome that you are welcome to stay in. Reno lost her best little dog buddy Jasper last week and would love to have Georgie to pal around with. Jasper had a siezure last week and when he came to he bolted and headed east down the yakima river. We're hoping he will find his way home or if someone picked him up they will see one of the flyers we put out.

 

[ridgeline]

great videos and pictures beautiful country looks like a real nice trail your dog must have a real fun time going with you it looks like the tdub was having a nap in one of the pictures

 

[Wingnut]

Nice pic's and a great riding buddie!