Harris Park - In search of the snow line. Edit: Video Added

We decided to head to Harris Park for the day and see how far up we could get before the snow stopped us. With all the snow pack and the warmer weather there is a good chance this ride would be muddy and wet as well. We loaded up the bikes and headed out early Sat morning. I have a LOT of video footage from the trip, Trever and I both wore helmet cameras for the ride so I will post up a video as soon as I get the time to play with the editing

First stop was the mom and pop diner in Milton Freewater for some grub.

YamWOW! ordered his traditional chicken fried steak




First picture from the trail was taken at the airplane. There were lots of swollen stream crossings and rutted out switch backs before we got to this point (vids to come). We ran into another group of riders here and stopped to rest and chat for a while. A couple of the riders tried climbing the big rock hill that branches off from the plane wreck...didn't get any pics but did get some vid.




Mamacone and his home brew kick stand ...sitting next to whats left of the Cessna 150




Taking a break on the trail




Self Shot




Found the snow line. This is just short of Cow Camp, Mamacone and Novocaine decided to forge ahead and see how far we could get.




Novocaine improvised his own kickstand here




Relaytech blasting through the snow




And getting a little help from Mamacone to get out






YamWOW! and Oring blasting through






At Cow Camp, this is as far as the snow would let us get. We stopped here to rest a bit, grab some lunch and prepare to head back down.




Novocaine's 530 at Cow Camp.




On the way back down I stopped to take some shots at one of the many stream crossings.




Novocaine crossed through the stream and while we were waiting for the others to show up he decided to move a large rock that was just waiting to take someones chain guide out of service.

First he tried the stick/leverage method




Not having much luck with the stick method he resorted to good old arm power.








YamWOW! crossing the stream and watching for the next rider






Oring crossing the stream....Uh Oh! Oring's knee was really feeling it from his previous surgery, He put up with a lot of pain on this ride. His bike was also running really crappy....not wanting to idle and stalling easily.




Relaytech and Novocaine jumping in to help out




Mamacone heading across with his smoker.




Since Oring's bike wasn't running that great and his knees were killing him Novocaine offered to take his bike across the next crossing.




And the bike stalled out again








Relaytech and Novocaine will post up their pics soon. I'll get the vid up asap. It was a great ride!

EDIT:

Ok here are some video highlights from the trip. Watch in 1080P for best picture.




Hodakaguy

Looked like a great time, I enjoyed the pics and report. Thanks

I had a great time. I just want to thank you all for your patience and for helping me out( which was alot) I really wanted to ride Harris park but my body wasnt quite ready for the unexpected events i constantly encountered( crappy running bike, irregular idling, failing front brake) to mention a few. my right knee is definately stronger after kicking that bike a billion times. I need an estart for sure. I'll be 100% prepaired next ride i promise. Thank you all once again............. Atleast I gave some good footage for the camera.

At first it looked warm and dry...then it looked wet and cold. Then really wet and really cold! But it certainly looked like a great way to spend the day.

it was a great day. Never wet and cold really. It was 82 up there, and perfect. O-ring did great. his knee and his bike were not helping that day, but I have to hand it to him. He did not quit! Once his bike was running better it was easier, but by then his leg was worn out!

Breakfast was great! I won't try the two pancake meal again. those were huge! Might have to try the chicken fried steak next time!

We rode to the plane, took a break for a bit, then rode to cow camp and ate. got to go around a tree or two, through a bunch of snow at the end, and over several creeks! Everybody's favorite was the switcbacks with a rock filled creek at the crux of the turn. good times.

Mamacone got attacked by a Ruffed grouse. I'll have to see if my helmet cam footage of that came out well. Same bird tried to attack Hodakaguy on the way back! Maybe it's an environmentalist in disguise!

Can't wait to go back! but this time I will wear bug proof armor! twice I had to nearly completely disrobe because of some stupid biting fly or something that found it's way in my shirt and was eating me for lunch. I almost caused a pileup with Hodakaguy the first time. I hit my brakes so fast and started to pull of layers while that bug was tasing my under my shirt! Good laughs!

I hear ya on the Ruffed Grouse. One got to me on my mtn bike once. Little fawker drew blood within an inch of my eye. I finally had to knock him silly with my rear deraiIleur to make my getaway ('Dude, you've got feathers in your chain ring...") I thought I was in an Alfred Hitchcock movie or something.

oring212 wrote:

I had a great time. I just want to thank you all for your patience and for helping me out( which was alot) I really wanted to ride Harris park but my body wasnt quite ready for the unexpected events i constantly encountered( crappy running bike, irregular idling, failing front brake) to mention a few. my right knee is definately stronger after kicking that bike a billion times. I need an estart for sure. I'll be 100% prepaired next ride i promise. Thank you all once again............. Atleast I gave some good footage for the camera.

Everyone has a problem with a bike or something else all the time . It was just your turn that day. You had a good attitude that's all that matters.

Gathered at the Harris Park Hotel, getting ready to enter "the Gauntlet"



We met up at the Cessna, and a few other riders there. Some were climbing "clutch eater" hill.



Mamacone and one of his many "kickstands"



Hodakaguy going up and over the final snowbank where I "parked" my 530. "I am not stuck, Imeant to do that"



Hodakaguy, a KTM 530 missionary, loving the snow!!



Is there anything better than 2 KTM 530s? I guess 3 is better, but Perry wasn't here for the pic!



Mamacone "smoking". At least he doesn't drink! :) (unless you count two-stroke)

Great pics...nice to see me in a couple of shots

I added the video footage from the ride to the bottom of the original post.

Hodakaguy

Had a great time at Harris Park again. This is one of my favorite places to ride! (Except for all those darn hikers. )
I don't have much for pics or vids, but I do have this one from my Droid:

sorry i missed you guys, i live here in wally world and ride in the blues at quite a bit, i'd love to hook up with you guys next time. i was just up there on friday and theyve got a track hoe buffing out the bear creek trail, kind of a shame, i was able to pull off one of my favorite loops for the first time this year though, so its all good. -lee