Another massive shuttle, 45-50 riders rode the bus up to the top of the Middle Fork trail. A bit of well channelled chaos at the end got everyone reunited with their bikes then a short ride up to the trailhead...

At the trailhead there were hundreds of these tiny toads hopping around. I hate to imagine how many of them got squished as we rolled up :(. Anyhow, excellent camoflage job on the part of the toads.

The top of the trail... yummm. Starts out with a mile long section of tight switchbacks down the side of the hill then transitions into a gorgeous section of trail with soft deep organic soil. Somewhere deep down there is actual dirt. We were riding on bark and broken twigs. Instead of dodging rocks we were highly focused on manuevering around tree stumps and exposed roots.

Pictured: Chum on Middle Fork trail crossing a soggy creek.

Jim grinning big and eating up the upper section of the Middle Fork Trail.

A little further down the trail opens into some meadows. Still tons of bark and decomposing trees but things are openning up.

Pictured: Thomas (Rensho) on the green rocket.