Two weeks after I rode this route on the Susie, I went back out on the Bombadil with clearer skies – thankfully, since this time I had no fenders. It was cool but not especially cold; maybe 7 or 8C. The snow line was still pretty high and I only saw the odd patch near the top of the visible hills.
The ride up Fishermans was more busy than even in the middle of summer, presumably because at this time of year you don’t pass up a sunny, above-freezing opportunity to go for a hike or bike. Fair enough, that’s what got me out here too.
As always, once at mid-valley and starting up Spur 4, the “crowds” had sharply declined, but I saw a few other riders. I was enjoying the somewhat different personality of the Bombadil with the KT bars, 11 speed trigger shifter, Rene Herse 55mm knobbies and most notably the lack of fenders. Felt a bit more like a vintage MTB, but more comfortable, and with better manners overall.
As always, the Hatchery Trail was magnificent and especially the Rainbow Creek loop – where I discovered to my bewilderment that I didn’t previously notice a second old growth tree just mere steps from the 500 year old Sitka Spruce. As far as I can tell it’s also a Sitka and approximately the same age, or close to it. It is the closer (right side) tree in the image below, left. And look at the moss covered lower limbs! I couldn’t capture the size nor statement this tree makes.
I also stopped into “See More Stumps” trail on the way back, which as you guessed, has a lot of stumps. Given how much presence the stumps still manage to have in this forest of younger trees, I can only imagine how incredible they were while they still stood tall.
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