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| December 11, 2011, 4:18 pm |
BIKING ABOVE THE FOG AT TAYLOR CREEK There are few things more depressing than when the Rogue Valley gets filled with that ugly, potentially toxic fog.For the past week or so (I lose track of the days when it’s like this), the valley has been a soup of the cold, stagnant air.On Saturday I did something about it, heading up to Taylor Creek Trail for a third round of mountain biking in the past month. As I’ve mentioned a few times, I’m putting together a story and video for a week from Tuesday about riding this popular trail that’s about three miles off Merlin/Galice Road on Forest Service Road 25.The wonderful thing about Taylor Creek is that it sits at the perfect elevation for weather like this— Lone Tree Pass, the highest point, is 2,600 feet. It’s high enough that you’re above the fog and enjoying the sunlight. But it’s low enough that the area doesn’t get covered with snow and typically stays open year-round.There are really two options for riding here. The first and most fun is the “Jedi*” section of the trail, which runs from Lone Tree Pass through an absolutely thrilling series of fast swooping turns through the trees to Sam Brown Campground.*I have no idea how this section of trail got the nickname “Return of the Jedi,” considering the movie itself was filmed much further south, in the Redwood National and State Park system. I’ll crack the case for the story.I usually start and lone tree pass, ride the Jedi section of the trail and come back to the pass via paved Forest Service Road 25. It’s a good warm up.The second section of the trail heads downhill from Lone Tree Pass through an absolutely beautiful section of trail that eventually reaches the creek itself. The trees and colors and moss are so lush in there that, especially in winter, it almost feels as though you’re in a rainforest.The riding, though, is quite a bit tricker. It’s not super-difficult by any means, but there’s tighter turns, creek crossings, very rough patches and some steep climbs that come perilously close to some exposed edges.Because there’s multiple access points to the trail, you can really pick how far you want to go. There’s a couple of creek crossings early on in the trail. There would be more but there’s been some work done on the bridges recently.At any rate, I usually ride as far as I feel like going — knowing full well that I have to make the steep climb back up the road.If you’re new to mountain biking, the Jedi section is a fantastic introduction to single-track. If you’ve got some experience, try the lower half of Taylor Creek Trail for the wonderful scenery and challenge.And best of all?NO FOG!o o oPast blogsWEATHER COLD BUT STEELHEAD BITE STAYS HOT ON ROGUEMINER FACES TRIAL FOR ILLEGAL OPERATION ON GALICE CREEKA SLOW DAY FISHING ON THE UPPER KLAMATHROGUE RIVER HIGH GRAD REACHES HIGHEST POINT IN ANTARCTICAKAYAKER PHOTOGRAPHS WORLD’S MOST REMOTE RIVERS |
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