Riding High in Salt Creek

There’s something about the unexpected that makes an adventure truly memorable. That’s exactly what we found at Salt Creek Recreation Area in Washington’s upper peninsula. With our fat bikes in tow and a sky threatening rain, we set out, unaware of the rollercoaster ride ahead.

Our journey began on Tounge Point Road. I glanced at Mo, wondering if she realized the extent of our day’s challenge – the length, the climbing. Still, I tried to keep the spirit light, pointing out intriguing map features.

The first real test came at the Stripped Peak Trail junction, greeted by a disheartening ‘bikes not allowed’ sign. My heart sank; this was a key part of our route. Yet, safety is paramount, and the perilous cliffs and exposure along this path made it clear: biking here was a no-go. So, we diverted to the Bunker Trail climb, a path so steep it could humble an Olympic champion. I learned this the hard way, nearly toppling off a cliff at a tricky switchback.

Taking a breather, we found ourselves at the cutest trailside bar scene, a charming little rest stop crafted from logs. It was a much-needed respite before conquering Stripped Summit. The view from the top was breathtaking, a just reward for our efforts. But the adventure wasn’t over yet.

Mo, with a determined glint in her eye, was ready to continue. We embarked on the Stripped Ridge Trail, a path I’d ride daily with a cross-country bike. Its beauty was simply fabulous. The thrill continued down the Single Track Connector, leading us back to a road climb.

As we ascended the access road, I noticed Mo’s energy waning. Reaching our final trail, the Countour Around Stripped Peak Tower Trail, we were met with disappointment – overgrowth and logging activity marred the path. But Mo, ever the trooper, geared up for rain and pushed on.

We finished our day with a thrilling descent down the Bunker Trail, capping off our first ride of the year with a bang and an impressive 2000 feet of climbing. It was a day filled with challenges, beauty, and the undeniable spirit of adventure.

Resources to Enhance Your Day:

• Traverse the PNW Guide: https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/588/Salt-Creek-Recreation-Area

• Washington Trails Association Guide: https://www.wta.org/

• WTA Website: https://www.wta.org/

• Cascade Bicycle Club Safety Guide: https://cascade.org/

• Visit Seattle Guide: https://visitseattle.org/

On this day in history

Let’s take a whimsical wander through some fascinating blog posts from the past, shall we?

• 2023: J3 – Today we are taking a sheet of metal and extending the B-Pilar in our van. We call it the B-Pilar extension kit.
• 2021: One Last Ride – (Description not provided, but the title hints at a nostalgic adventure!)
• 2018: Anasazi Petroglyphs – (No description available, but surely something about ancient art!)
• 2013: About Bill – My Soul… a bird maybe? Mountain Biking Exploits, My RMVQ, The Worlds, I Eat Differently, my latest lifelong challenge to live longer, Resume.
• 2012: Morning ride – Today I fell ill and came home early. So no better time then to browse through some photos. Last weekend I stayed at a friend’s cabin and partied down with my good friends from Missoula.
• 2008: Montana Mountain Bikers Unite – In response to threats to trail access across the state, Montana mountain bikers united to form a group called the Montana Mountain Bike Alliance.
• 2008: Trans Fats Are Really Bad For You – Coreperformance.com explains why, how to spot them, and how to avoid them.
• 2004: Sleeping Giant Hike – Marcy and I went up Sleeping Giant this evening and got some photos of the sunset. We hiked down in the dark.
• 2004: Bear Mountain Extreem – Good morning everyone just got home from an all-night “swarray”. I am planning to go on a pack trip this evening and spend the night on Bear Mountain.

Hop on this historical blog train and enjoy these snippets from yesteryears!