Another gorgeous morning. We start off on single track and head through pines and aspens. Oh, and at this point I have to mention that at every single trailhead we parked at, there was a pit toilet WITH toilet paper in it, and none of them reeked. They were all pleasant experiences. I was very impressed. Anyway, continuing on… The trail opened up to a nice little meadow and we chugged along in the middle chain ring for just over 3 miles. We cross a creek and come to our first major hike a bike section of the week. There were only a couple of unrideable spots the next two miles up. Unfortunately the up wasn’t as gradual as what we rode the last couple days. Or maybe I was just too beat to give a shit about going so slow and dabbing here and there. We reach the top eventually and refuel before heading down. Way down, actually. The first downhill section was really steep and a bit soft, but then it turned back into the usual roller coaster wet noodle ride. The Oregon Gulch loop was only 11 miles long, so we decide to add a couple extra loops to tack on some mileage (though I would have been perfectly happy doing only 11 miles at that point because I was already beat but it was my idea to go further in the first place so I couldn’t really wuss out). After looking at the trail book and realizing 2 other trails shared the same downhill section as Oregon Gulch, we decide to take the Chocolate Gulch trail backwards (north) which gave us a few extra miles of fun downhill. Of course, we had to climb another ½ mile or so to get to the saddle before the downhill. Randy and Dave were starting to give me nasty looks, but later admitted it was worth the climb. Then we hooked up with another trail called North Fork, which took us south along the Big Wood River for a couple miles. We only had to gradually climb another 200 feet to get back up and meet the rest of the Oregon Gulch downhill. More roller coasters through pine forests and aspens (do I keep repeating myself?) then up and over the saddle trail for another 1.9 miles to finish the loop. Luckily it was a very easy climb up the saddle because we were ALL beat by this time, but then of course there was more downhill waiting for us on the other side which made it all worth it. To top off an already perfect bike trip we found some hot springs later that afternoon alongside Warm Springs Creek (sorry, no pictures taken of Carrie in her bikini with the other 2 married men, though it would have been good blackmail material), where we hung out and drank beer until we pruned. Ahhhhhhhhhhh, what a way to end a great vacation in Sun Valley! I can only imagine how gorgeous this place is in the spring…

Carrie