Butterfly

Hottie and I spent the weekend at Mt. Lemmon. We were pleasantly surprised to find a camp spot with few people around. In Cragspeak, the site would be a class 4+ with 2 fire rings, 2 scars, many felled trees, trash, beer cans, etc.

But it was acceptable for a night of car camping. The immediate area held no evidence of the Bullock (2002) or Aspen (2003) fires. It was plenty cool and fog rolled in on Sunday morning.

These are the type of days and rides I live for in Tucson: cold, cloudy (or foggy!) and threatening rain. I rolled out of our campsite and climbed towards Mt. Bigelow. The fog was dense, obscuring the view of the San Pedro valley below.

At the top I dropped off the mountain on the burned Butterfly trail. I have historically not done well on this trail, so I approached it with some apprehension. I knew it would be more difficult in the fire’s aftermath.

It seems I’m a better rider now, because it did not seem ridiculously bad, or extremely frustrating. But perhaps the only thing I’ve improved is my tolerance for dismounts, hike-a-bike and general brutal riding. You know you’re on a challenging trail when you get passed by a trail runner like you’re standing still. A runner, complete with gu-flask belt, floated by, seemingly unhindered by the technical trail.

The thunder danced to the north. Dark clouds loomed all around me.

The fire damage did not seem too extensive, though a number of drainage crossings were impossible. I soon found myself at the Crystal Spring trail.

I quickly noted something new–tire tracks in front of me. Later I heard voices below me. I knew that whoever was in front of me, I was about to pass them–without trying. A few miles later I came upon a few armor-clad riders resting at a creek crossing. They were a bit stunned and their leader hopped on his bike, riding in front of me.

I recognized the leader as “Dave the Brave” of Green Mountain fame. We chatted a bit, then he dismounted on a climb and let me go. It turns out they had followed my tire track down Green Mountain last weekend, too. In Dave’s trail report he mentioned that Green Mountain should only be ridden with dual suspensions or hucking bikes and should never be ridden alone. That’s two strikes against me right there. Then, I passed him on Crystal Springs.

The middle section of Cystral Springs was hammered and none-so-fun, but the end was untouched and very nice. As Dave later put it, “a nice romp through the forest.” The legendary Control Road was equally nice and untouched by fire.

After a few turns, my lungs opened up and I flew. My bike railed effortlessly below me as I rounded the corners and climbed the 1000 feet in under 20 minutes. I thought about Oracle Ridge and climbing the entire Control Road from the town of Oracle. The reward was always the first section of Oracle Ridge #1: dark forest, pine needles, soft, ridable trail.

Although Oracle Ridge was hit by both Aspen and Bullock fires, it is open to the public. I couldn’t resist riding out to the first saddle.

Anyone that knows me can attest to the fact that I’ve remained very positive about the fire damage. It seems to me that it’s the “drive up to summerhaven, eat a slice of pie, drive back down” type of people who are crying about the mountain being destroyed and, sniff, never being the same as they remember it. In contrast, those that have spent their time climbing the mountain, traversing it, suffering on it and experiencing it have a more mature outlook.

But as I rode the first section of Oracle Ridge I must admit that I stopped and felt sad. The trail has completely changed and is almost unrecognizable. Every tree has been torched. This used to be the section of trail that I would lust after as I climbed the 2.5 hours of Control Road.

It didn’t last long. I continued riding and the trail felt the same under my tires. The new plants were colorful and the views were incredible. I passed out of the trees and onto the ridge top. There I was able to survey much of the Aspen damage.

Red Ridge looks like it was hit hard. Samaneigo, dark, but unknown.
Marble Peak has erupted with wildflowers
Looking back at the Oracle Ridge Trail

I sat awhile. Continued snapping pictures. Then I rode back to camp and took a nap.