Sun Valley

Finally.. the last post of our trips for the summer. Amazing that we actually went to all these places in the summer. Funny, what you can do when there are no real training objectives for the year. I digress...

We talked to our friends LeeAnn and Jordan who are experts on the Ketchum/ Stanley area about going for the long labor day weekend. They arranged a condo and we all went to Ketchum for the weekend. Also we met some new friends, Greg and Kristen, that added to the enjoyment of the weekend. Was a great weekend of shared fun, rides, food and socialization.

On Saturday we rode to the east portion of the valley, up to a high cabin built for backcountry skiers in the early days, that is still used today. Wow, what a beautiful place. High up in the mountains, below the peaks of open bowls. This place must be just crazy in the winter. Anyway, a good ride up, though a few thought it was too steep and rocky. Nevertheless, a great place. The descent left a little to be desiered. Was actually a hiking trail, that allowed bikes, but was very narrow, steep and overgrown. Lots of on/off the bike and bushwacking. We made it down to the road and all but Jordan decided we would ride the road home, rather than climb back up over the ridge to get back.

On Sunday, there was a division of desired activities. Karen and LeeAnn went for a run/ride at the resort. Greg and Kristen went for a more mellow ride and the fish/ shopping trip. Jordan and I went for the gusto and rode up Red Warrior to Mars Ridge. The first section up Red Warrior is an absolutely pleasant ride up toward the top of the ridge. All but the last 2 miles are easy well graded climbing. you do need to cross the creek something like 20 times, including at the trail head where you need to wade thru thigh high (labor day level) very cold water. In a 20' crossing my feet where numb. Anyway after some hike-a-bike to the top of Mars Ridge (looks like a lunar scape) we had a great 360 view of the mountain ranges to the north, east, west. Wow. A great descent, a close encounter with a badger, and a little ride on the bike trail and we were back home.

Monday brought a nice relaxed ride for 2 hours with Greg and Kristen just north of the city. A great end to the weekend. If you haven't been there it is great in the summer, but also in the winter for all the  XC-skiing trails and nice weather. The downhill skiing..... let's just say it ain't Alta, Snowbird and Solitude!!.