ROADTRIP...the TR

[girlski0912]

Just got home a few days ago from my post-bar 4 state roadtrip. The purpose was to see family, friends, and head back to the mountains to re-group after 2 of the hardest months of my life. My mom, little sis and I piled into my very stuffed Subie (aka Bubie the Bubaru) and left Vancouver, WA at about 12:30 am bound for Jackson. My mom's parents were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, so we were heading home to J-Hole to partake in the festivities.

My mom and little sis just a little too excited to be packed into the car



Me at about 3:30 am. I was operating on about 2 Rockstars at this point. It wasn't until around 6 that the delerium set it. That shit is lethal!


What 60 years of marriage looks like.


My grandad is the best dancer (and one of the best people in my life) and I love any chance that I get to dance with him.


Shot from the top of Teton pass looking into town. After almost 26 years of driving over this pass, I still get chills looking down.

[girlski0912]

Our first day in town we went for a quick hike into Taggart lake. My mom had never been, despite living her entire life in Jackson.


I heart roadtrips...


The Cathedral group from the Shadow Mountain trailhead.


My favorite, Mt. Moran


Part of my objective on this trip was to make up for all the mountain biking that I hadn't done this summer due to a brutal study regime. My first ride back in Jackson was Shadow Mountain with one of my favorite riding partners, Lindsey. Here we are moments before tearing the shit out of one of the best downhills in Jackson

[girlski0912]

Another one of my favorite things to do during the summer is hike up to Phelps Lake and hang out on the Rock on the north side of the lake. The water is COLD and after a 30 foot drop in you get an idea of what cardiac arrest feels like. This particular day of hiking was a little too chilly to justify jumping in. Here is a shot of Death Canyon.


About my 3rd day in town I headed up Fall Creek to ride Rock Creek. The view from the top is amazing, though this particular day I was trying to outrun a thunder storm. Here is a shot of the Cathedral group and all of town from the top.


I love the Rock Creek downhill, in case you can't tell!


One more shot of Wolf Mountain before heading down.


This guy is one of the bigger buffalo that I have ever seen. He and another super sizer were chilling on Mormon Row north of town. I think that they are slipping them steroids...

[girlski0912]

Going back to Jackson is bitter sweet. It is the most beautiful place and I am proud to say that I am 4th generation local, but it is no longer my home town. The town itself has lost the soul that I remember it having, but those mountains are my sanctuary. Leaving town and my grandparent's house is always emotional. But after hanging out for a week, it was time to move south. Here is Sleeping Indian as I was leaving.


And another one of my favorite things about home...the Village! Living out by the airport was great because we could watch them groom at night. But the fact that we were 3 miles away from the base and still had to drive 45 minutes through town and out to the hill was torture on a pow day.


I was meeting my friend Lindsey at Fremont Lake, about an hour south of Jackson and right at the foot of the Wind River Range. We were going to camp at the lake and hit up White Pine ski area for some lift access downhill...The Gros Ventre range as I sat in construction traffic just south of Bonderant, WY.


Can you see my little friend hidden in the trees. The Fremont lake upper boat dock campground proved to be a deer haven. Not to mention one of the nicer places that I have stayed. Lindsey and I decided that getting out of the clusterfuck that is Jackson in August was our best bet.

[girlski0912]

Nothing like red wine, a camp fire, and good friends to make a camping trip worthwhile


On the first day of our trip, Lindsey and I set out to hit up White Pine Ski area. It is a tiny hill about 10 minutes east of Pinedale, WY. The mountain boasts only 1500 vert, with the top at about 9500 feet. One of my friends in Jackson had told me that White Pine offered lift served downhill for cheap. Come to find out that the trails are maintained by the guy who runs the ski shop at the base. He and a few buddies have spent the last three summers building trails, but with relatively dry conditions and little to no bike traffic to pack it out (there were 6 people the day we went that were riding...two of whom were guides), this shit was far burlier than what we had expected. Being the XC nuts that we are, Linds and I opted to climb the 1.5 mile summer road. Again, we TOTALLY underestimated what turned out to be a bitch of a climb. My sea level lungs and legs were HATING the climb as we started off at 8000 feet. Once we reached the top, we decided that while the green circle trail that had been recommended to us by the guides was the smoothest, they probably told us to follow that trail because we were girls. HEH...about 3 minutes and 2 crashes into the ride on a trail called Carbon, we were off of our bikes and hiking back over to the recommended trail. Whoops...that was a humbling ride to say the least. Two days earlier we had been passing guys on Putt Putt trail in Jackson. Not so much at White Pine. I left my camera in the car...thank god because I probably would have broken it on one of my wrecks.

Here is Half moon lake, cool wakes and all, on our way back to the camp site...


Fremont Lake with the Winds in the background


My next stop was Park City where I was staying with one of my best friends, Kyra, and my little sis. I had called ahead to coordinate some riding with the Utards...while AC and DantheMan had very valid reasons for bailing, what the FUCK was your excuse pHunk??????

A good night out raising hell at the No Name...


I was stoked to meet SkiGuide and SkiMonkey for a quick ride on the Lost Prospector trail. SkiGuide had just returned home from what was essentially a drinking bender that her employer picked up the tab for. There were some dark and sinister clouds threatening to put an end to our plans, but we headed out anyway thinking that maybe we could beat the rain. That plan worked, sort of...things got a little wet on the last switchbacks and we seemed to have lost SkiGuide....but alas there she was covered in mud and blood from her very first wipe out. Here is the first of 2 very choice shots...note the smile!


but wait...it gets better!

[girlski0912]

AHHHHHHH yes....the first crash. Seeing the carnage invoked "First Wreck" stories from both myself and SkiMonkey. We were soooo proud!


The next day there was talk of a Crest ride. Lynx, SkiGuide and myself ended up being the only takers and so began a shit show coordination of shuttles and meeting plans. It was feeling a little cursed. About 30 minutes before I was leaving to meet the girls, Lynx called for the umpteenth time that hour to say that she had gotten in touch with the AG's to ride at Deer Valley. While the meeting time was a little later, it was closer and the ride would be fun but not nearly the punishment that the Crest trail would have served up. It was soooo great to finally meet the AGs and Stumpy and to see Ms. Lynx. The ride was beautiful and I had a really great time riding with all of you. So glad that we worked everything out! I am bummed that I didn't get a single shot of the 4 moose that we ran into...then again they didn't seem to stoked to see us.

The AGs, Stumpy, and Moose aka the ultimate mountain biking dog


SkiGuide and Lynx aka too cool for amatuer photography


Group shot- me, AG, Stumpy and Ski Guide and Moose.


Looking out from the trail (I totally spaced on what ride we did here!) to Deer Valley

[The AD]

Looks like a great time. One question, though. I see a photo with your sister in it, but I don't see Z-Bo. What the hell?

[girlski0912]

The next stop on my whirlwind tour was Ketchum, ID to hang out with another very close friend and ride bikes. Jimmy Page offered to show me around and my first day in town we headed out to ride Fox Creek. Lynx- I got mine on this ride, for what it is worth. The Altitude Handicap that didn't really hold out on our ride at Deer Valley came back to bite me in the ass HARD in Idaho. HARD!

The last set of switchbacks nearly killed me. Here is the view from the top...when I finally fucking reached it!


Jimmy Page staying cool in the trees. It was great to finally meet you and thanks again for the ride. Next time I will keep up on the climb. BTW, that downhill was SO sweet! Who knew that you could go so damn fast? I heart buff singletrack!


After our ride, we opted for fish tacos as KBs (god those sound so good right now!) A call went out to rally the infamous Reverend Floater. Prior to meeting him, I was acquainted with his latest mode of transportation...the S.S. Morning Wood. JP and the Rev along with another friend were headed up to Redfish that evening to take the boat on what I believe was it's maiden voyage across the lake. I was invited and decided that I would wait till I heard how she traveled before joining in.




I made it into town in time to partake in the 3rd annual 100 days party at Apple's. I don't know if it is the air or the water in Ketchum...but this town is ALWAYS trouble for me. This night was no different. Here is a more sober rendition of myself and one of my best friend's Lily at the party.


Needless to say, waking up the next morning with about 1.5 hours of sleep and thrashed legs from the day before, I opted to pass on a ride that day.

[Dromond]

Yet another cool TR. It's unfair that the radness of your little mountain hometown is 10X the radness of my little mountain hometown

[girlski0912]

Ketchum is one of my favorite places to visit, especially during the summer. I headed out solo for a HUGE ride (20 miles roundtrip if I am correct) on Fisher Creek. I am still kicking myself for not taking my camera because it was one of the more beautiful rides that I have been on. The first 9 miles is a gradual climb on a jeep trail, minus the last mile that is a bitch of a steep climb. Then there is the first of 3 downhills...fast, buff, SWEET! It spits you into a valley and then starts the second gradual climb...and ANOTHER downhill. I was wiped out, but stoked at this point. Again, you descend into another mini valley with a relatively short and steep, but manageable climb up a set of switchbacks and then yes....a 3rd downhill that takes you back to the car. I loved this ride and thanks again to Jimmy Page for the info. Here is a shot of the Sawtooths on my way home that day.



The Pios from where I was staying


The Sawtooths on my way out of town. And yes, I do realize the risk assumed in shooting photos while operating a vehicle...


The day before heading on my 20 miler, it was ungodly hot...something like 90 in Ketchum. Lily's boss is part owner of a resevoir that was built for the sole purpose of water sports. We drove that morning about an hour south to spend the day water skiing and drinking beer. I grew up waterskiing, but hadn't been in about 5 years.


Leaving Ketchum was hard, partly because it finally dawned on me that this amazing trip had only one more stop before I headed home and back to (partial) reality.
Looking Montana in the eyes

[Squirrel99]

Kick ass summer TR! and to think you were just lounging around drinking the whole time

Did you guys do TG-1 above Deer Valley. Looks like you were right in the vicinity of that trail- super fun ride, but not sure if the new housing developments up there have taken over ALL the trails yet I heard sweeneys is pretty much a construction zone...

anyways, cool TR. looking forward to the big TR coming up over the next few weeks in SA!~!

[girlski0912]

My last two days were spent in Montana. I stopped off in Hamilton to visit my 94 year old great grandma and her "boyfriend" at their amazing home at the foot of the Bitterroots.


I head out the next morning to check out Missoula. It was overcast, but perfect tempurature for a quick ride up Rattlesnake Canyon. I set off on the trail recommended to me by some locals and was maybe 30 minutes into the ride when I hopped off of a rock and realized that my front tire was dangling from my fork. All the rack time on top of my car had finally taken it's toll and the nut from my front hub was missing. I turned around and headed back to the car, spending the rest of the day buying groceries and bike parts. I decided to camp near the MT/ID border off of I-90 that night

Heading into my campground, I met up with this guy...



My last meal with my humble abode and the sunset in the background.


And one shout out to my faithful companion throughout all of this...Bubie. She trucked 3000 miles for this trip and it obviously wouldn't have been the same without her!


This trip was truly one of the best I have taken because of how simple it really was. I wasn't looking to party (with the exception of one night in PC and one night in Ketchum). I wanted to spend some time alone to process all that has happened in the last few months. I wanted to ride and hike, camp, hang out with my family and some of my best friends. I wanted to be in the mountains to cleanse a little.

And now it is time to finish packing for South America...I leave on Thursday!

[girlski0912]

Looks like a great time. One question, though. I see a photo with your sister in it, but I don't see Z-Bo. What the hell?

Hahahah! My little sis is Kyra's roommie but I barely saw her because of her crazy ass work schedule. She and my friend Elliot (of broken back fame) have been dating for almost 7 months now, so I am thinking that Z-bo missed his chance!

Squirrel- totally not sure what ride we did...I will call upon the AGs to refresh my memory. And there was very little drinking, maybe some herbal infusion but I started losing everything so I had to stop that too!

[Ski Monkey]

Kick ass summer TR! and to think you were just lounging around drinking the whole time

Did you guys do TG-1 above Deer Valley. Looks like you were right in the vicinity of that trail- super fun ride, but not sure if the new housing developments up there have taken over ALL the trails yet I heard sweeneys is pretty much a construction zone...

anyways, cool TR. looking forward to the big TR coming up over the next few weeks in SA!~!

I believe it was mid mountain trail between pcmr and deer valley. South sweeney's at the moment is closed, there are a 2 little cuts in johns trail, and the connector between sweeney's and king road below 4:20 has a spot you have to cross on foot.

Awesome TR girlski, that rain mud fest of a ride we went on was pretty fun. Let us know next time you're in our neck of the woods.

[CRACKER]

[QUOTE=girlski0912]Our first day in town we went for a quick hike into Taggart lake. My mom had never been, despite living her entire life in Jackson.


I heart roadtrips...


Two thumbs up for the TR and the tongue.

[Monique]

Spectacular TR, sounds like exactly the trip the doctor ordered. Funny thing, though, we talked about this trip for, what was it, two hours, and you never even got around to these stories!

[Nohillsnearby]

FKNA!! What a great trip!

Nohills=jealous

[ski_faster]

Great trip report. I heart Ketchum.

[girlski0912]

Spectacular TR, sounds like exactly the trip the doctor ordered. Funny thing, though, we talked about this trip for, what was it, two hours, and you never even got around to these stories!

Like I said earlier (and you should know this already), I get into alot of trouble in Ketchum!

[The General]

Definately the best trip report of the summer! I can't wait til I can make a more permanent move west. Looking forward to the South America TR!

General

[THE EXCITABLE SPANIARD]

Yes..once again...I have POOPED MY PANTELONES!!!!

Muchas Gracias senorita.

[BakerBoy]

Your mom is hot.

[Karl Stall]

Wow! Thanks for sharing. You have a great family, and your road trip kicked ass!!!

[phUnk]

Voted "Cutest Girl Ever Hidden In A Fullface Helmet"





ps. I couldn't get out of work I think.

[girlski0912]

Voted "Cutest Girl Ever Hidden In A Fullface Helmet"





ps. I couldn't get out of work I think.

Or your pussy hurt that day...either way, you OWE me!!!!

Karl- I think my fam is pretty cool too! Speakin g of which, BakerBoy, stay away from my mom, my sisters, my grandmas....