Sunday, August 24, 2008

Sunday in Michaux


We had a nice one today from the Totem pole. Frank, David, Todd and Phil picked me up in Frederick and after a wheel-swap and Starbucks run we were on our way to Michaux. Phil's truck is really cool with the club cab, utility boxes, and room for 5 bikes. We were joined in Caledonia by HO from State College, Mike from Harrisburg, and Buck from Chambersburg. Starting from Caledonia State Park we headed South and up the gradual climb we call Secret Trail to Raccoon Run trail. Then we headed over to the TV Cable Line and up a short section of Lee's Rocks to get to Heaven or Hell. HorH was nice. A couple of rock afficianados cleaned The Gate on their first attempt (Frank & Phil) to join an elite group. We sessioned on Dante's Levels of Hell and Mike averted certain disaster on the overgrown lower section. We then climbed, yes climbed, the Lower Narrows to get back up. A quick snack after the hike-a-bike section and we were off on Wayne's Highway over to The Turtle. The top section of Turtle has been hammered by horses the lower section is in pretty good shape. We turned left at the bottom of Turtle and tanked up on water at the Staley Rd Spring. Todd led us up Lower Black Andes and then Buckets. Charcoal Hearth was hammered from the recent enduro event but still took us back over to Staley. Which we climbed up to Rothrock and then up Rothrock and over to the fire tower. This fire tower was originally made of wood and was the second fire tower built in the United States. Fire tower trail down to Crumble and then down Snowy Mt. Road to Raccoon Run. Raccoon run was riding really nice in this direction and David narrowly escaped turning his eyeballs into something akin to marshmallows on a stick at a Girl Scout camping trip. Secret trail just rocks in this direction and I could start all Mont Alto rides from Totem Pole just to finish on that long technical downhill. Back at the Totem Pole the place was packed for one of the last plays of the season. We changed, drank a beer, and headed out. The MD boys grabbing some BBQ on the PA/MD border. The PA boys headed homeward. HO and I crashed a MOMS Club of Chambersburg pool party to hang out with the Mark boys.

22 miles, 2600+ feet of climbing, two flats, no major medicals.

3 comments:

Richard Hull said...

I love Michaux. I have spent quite a bit of time there (though not recently). It is one of my favorite places. The drive through Michaux from Waynesboro to York is beautiful. It would be great to own one of those cabins along the way. Have you ever been to Tumblin' Run Shelter? Michaux brings back wonderful memories for me. Me and friends used to go there often in the seventies. Nice blog. Thanks for sharing.

Richard

Todd said...

Great day of riding Disco D, thanks for being our tour guide. Yesterday ranks up there as one of those "all time" rides. Topping it off with the BBQ was just icing on the cake.

pabiker said...

Yes, I've been to Tumbling Run. It is a private hunting preserve now, but the owners are ok with other folks using the property out of hunting season.

Yes, a cabin in Michaux would be nice.