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Bill Bikes My bicycling expeditions and jaunts |
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Eagle Rock
Down the mountain and across the valley
18 October 2021
My ace support crew will absolutely burst apart at the seams if we don't get up to see the grandkids every few weeks, and an explosion was imminent.That's how I found myself in Siskiyou County at the far northern edge of California. While the kiddos were in school on Monday, I convinced my ace support crew to drive me and the Ogre up the steep, narrow, winding road into the mountains on the northeast side of the Shasta valley. I planned to get all the way to the top, near Eagle Rock, before hopping out and starting down, but when we found ourselves high on the mountain and wrapped in thick, wet clouds, I decided that was far enough. Being blinded due to clouds dripping all over my glasses didn't seem like a good plan for a steep, narrow, winding, high-speed descent, so starting from a point below Eagle Rock would have to suffice.
From that point, just below the snow line, I raced down the mountain on pavement, rolled across the valley on gravel, and pedaled back over the hill to Yreka on pavement. It was damp and chilly with rain all around me, but I stayed dry and made it safely back to my destination.
Here are some photos I took along the way.
My starting point, high on the mountain, just below the clouds, looking down toward the hills at the north end of Shasta valley.
That's Old Grumble-Face, ready to roll down the mountain.
It was cold. I put on another jacket.
Pausing to look across Shasta valley toward the west.
Farther down, another view across the valley.
Getting closer to the valley.
Clouds hide the snowy mountains in the west.
Almost zero habitation on the mountain. Farther down, a couple of fancy places (amidst some tumbled-down shacks) at the foot of the climb.
Almost running out of pavement here.
Clouds now draping over the lower elevations, with the mountain hidden.
Off the mountain, riding along the rim of the valley, looking across to the high landmark of Paradise Craggy in the distance.
Looking back, but can't see the mountain from here.
Mount Shasta is somewhere in that direction, but cloaked by clouds.
Did I mention gravel?
I brake for cattle.
Looking north. Rain in the distance.
Another view north.
There are plenty of successful ranching operations in Shasta valley, but also plenty of abandoned homesteads.
Mount Shasta continues to hide in the clouds.
Starting to feel a few sprinkles.
The rather dilapidated county airport under dark clouds.
Greg, this made me think of you.
Freight trains still run up and down these tracks.
The best shot I could get of Mount Shasta.
Later in the day, after the ride, with clouds mostly cleared off, here's a view toward the mountains where I started, just below the snow.
Evening view of Mount Shasta from Stone Mountain Ranch.
Sunset view of Mount Shasta from Stone Mountain Ranch.
Summary
Date: 18 October 2021
Time: 11:00 - 1:30
Weather: 40-55° F, damp and mostly cloudy
Route: Down from Eagle Rock area to Yreka
Distance: 22 miles
Bike: Ogre
Riders: Solo
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.
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