GDR2 Day 6 Wayfarers to Cedar Creek CG
Tues, Aug 7, 2018
Start. 2904 '
High pt 4800'
Lo pt. 2904
End Elv. 3320
Climbing 3000'?
Miles 38
Total time ~ 5:30
Ride time 4:31
Got started a bit earlier today (8:30 if curious) has the heatwave has restarted after the weekend.
After climbing through Bigfork, and riding down the middle of main street, I gain the old road bed trail along the Swan River. Delightful pedaling for 2 miles through the woods with the river as my guide, smiled on by the soft morning sun.
I gain the state hwy for but a mile to Ferndale and am then heading south toward the Mission Mountains. I soon see a few,turkeys ahead on the road. They exit stage right, while more wnter from stage left, quickly following the others. I see ten of them making rheir way across a pasture as o ride on. The road is paved for few miles, but as I go along the road base deteriates as the forest gets more wild and primeval looking. The pavement ends and the climbing begins in earnest. I am well above the Swan and soon get occasional peaks of Swan Lake far below through shrouded openings in the forest. The road is quite good, and eventually I see the sole auto for the day on the backcountry section. I do meet one other bike on a morning ride and a couple of motercycles doing the Divide, but I am enjoying the solitude of this area.
It is an over an hour of cranking up the 6 miles to the high point, which is an unmarked event. I then start a good long downhill to the Swan Wildlife Refuge, perhaps 6 or 8 miles and and then many more very pleasant modulating miles.
I control the speed on the downhill, in part to take it easier the the suspect rack, in part to enjoy the scenery along the way, but also due to this being bear country, and don't want to surprise any grizzled ursines. Lots of curves and short lines of site have me ringing my bell regularly. It really does look like bear country. I stop at many creeks and open/marsh areas looking to sight wildlife, but I only get to enjoy the landscapes.
My map directions get a little confusing, but I locate the Cedar Creek CG 1 mile off route. Quite a primitive CG, but right on the Swan River, whose forever murmuring I will enjoy for my brief interlude there.
I did get to share a wonderful event as two families with young children started fording from the far side of the river, 3 adults and 2 kidd, maybe 4 and 6.
When they get back, the kids lay on the stone beach to warm up, and adults tend to gear and beer, which they share one with me. Whilst enjoying their generousity, one dad starts skipping rocks, and soon all are in, and search for the best skippers, and getting instruction from the dads. Several make it across tbe 40 feet to the far shore. A pleasure to share these moments.
