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Ilsanjo, April 2019
Through Annadel: A Photographic Log
22 April 2019, 16 miles

Although I hike it year-round, I don't get up to Annadel State Park on two wheels much in the winter due to wet, muddy trails. Many of the mountain bikers around here love rolling through that squishy stuff and emerging with bikes and selves caked in clinging mud. It tends to wreck the trails, it's not beneficial for drivetrains, and I probably don't really need a mud bath. I usually stick to pavement when Annadel is wet.

But the trails have almost completely dried out at this point, so I stripped down the Ogre and headed up this morning before the weather warmed up too much. (Forecast high around 90° F.) It turned out to be perfect weather for a quick ride up one side of the park, across to Lake Ilsanjo, and down the other side.

It would have been quicker, but while I was at Lake Ilsanjo I met another biker. This turned out to be 86-year-old Jim. He rolled up from Oakmont via Warren Richardson Trail (the same way I came up) and was taking a breather at the lake. A little chitchat turned into almost a full hour of conversation. Interesting guy who has lived in Santa Rosa since 1964, and still going strong with his "comfortable" mountain bike in Annadel. Seeing a guy like that on his MTB, and hearing about how he plans to stay on two wheels for as long as possible—"who needs electric assist?"—certainly inspires this youthful (?!?) fellow to keep dragging his carcass out on the Ogre.


On the way up Warren Richardson Trail through Annadel on the way to Lake Ilsanjo.

On the veldt below roam elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, and herds of wildebeest.


Good ol' "Church of the Great Outdoor Restroom" Greg over at Cycle365 challenged everyone to find porta-potties and outhouses.

Here you go, Pope Gregory. Sorry, no half moon carved into the door.


Proving for Greg this really is an outhouse.

Plenty of room for me, the Ogre, and an entire cotillion.

Fortunately, the image doesn't convey the odor. Close the friggin' lid!


The Ogre at Lake Ilsanjo.

Yes, I've photographed this spot about a million times.

It's a calm, pleasant destination when pedaling through the park, and I never grow tired of it.


Old Grumble-Face strikes a pensive pose with the Ogre at Lake Ilsanjo.

A couple of minutes later, the 86-year-old mountain biker rolled up and sat down by me.


Heading out from Lake Ilsanjo on Canyon Trail.


Not exactly a super-bloom, but we've had some lovely springtime greenery and flowers, especially of the yellow variety.


At this point Canyon Trail drops down abruptly, and I need to concentrate on remaining aboard the Ogre rather than taking photos.

Santa Rosa in the distance, and coastal hills farther west.


Back down near Spring Lake, a feathery friend.

I like the ziggy-zaggy reflection in rippling water, like a seismometer detecting an earthquake.


A flowery outro.



Summary

Date: 22 April 2019
Time: 9:00 - 12:00
Weather: 60 - 80° F, sunny
Route: Home - Warren Richardson Trail - Lake Ilsanjo - Canyon Trail - Spring Lake - Home
Distance: 16 miles
Bike: Ogre
Riders: Solo


Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.


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