Winter continues to rear her beautiful head in Union County. Throughout the last week however, the snow has been melting! Happy news to some I'm sure, but I love to ski and run through the trees on a sunny Eastern Oregon winter day.
Summer however, is my favorite season. I love to mountain bike and the Grande Ronde Valley is the place in Eastern Oregon to do it. I have several places I like to ride, and as I look out the window at the slushy mess on Adams Avenue, I can't help thinking about blasting through the trees on my bike with the 100 degree air smacking me in the face.
Igo Lane: A favorite (and somewhat secret) riding place of the locals. Above Igo Lane there is an extensive 12 mile trail system that winds through the Ponderosa and up and down Mt Emily. If you know the way (or ride with someone who does) you can find your way to the top. This system is great and contains many little wooden bridges above creeks and twists and turns. If you're up to it, you can just bomb right through the creeks. Especially nice on a 100 plus degree day.
Fox Hill/Mt Emily Road: I love to ride these systems as well. They both require a very steep and challenging climb that is always tough if it's your first ride of the year. Accessing these trails, you can ride along the entire mountain top or come down along the Grand Ronde River.
Morgan Lake Road: A great ride, this hill is even steeper than Fox Hill or Mt Emily, but the reward is sweet: trails around Morgan Lake. If you're feeling the heat, you can even jump in when you arrive. I do!
This summer I'm going to add more challenging rides to my set. I want to ride across the valley and climb Mt. Harris and Mt. Fanny. I would also like to find the route across Mt Emily to Walla Walla, Washington. I will let you know how it goes!
Oh for summer!
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