Hello 2010....

McDowell Mountains

Riders: 8 and a faithful Dog

Total distance: 23miles

To kick off 2010, decided to go for a mountain bike ride with Sticki, Sarad in the McDowell Mountains in North Scottsdale.  The plan is to ride from 114th St and Bell Road trailhead and go over the Sunrise pass and then travel along the East side of the McDowells,  pop over the top of Windgate Pass and back the cars.  We were told it was to be "about 15 miles or so."  Doable after a late night ringing in the New Year at Sticki house with food and spirits and that awesome game called Pictionary it was "good times".  We head out at about 10am and we decided to bring Jessi because she loves to run and is a well mannered trail companion.  She also just completed a 19 mile journey on the BCT trail weeks earlier.  The trail was nice with lots of technical in the wash areas and some cacti to be avoided at all costs.  Jessi picked up a Cholla  in the rear paw but shook it off like a champ.  The picture below is part of the climb over the Sunrise Pass.  1 of 3 false summits on this leg.  Along the way there must have been over 100 people on the trails trying to get an early start on their "New Years Resolutions", with great surprise they actually parted like the Red Sea.  They just stared in awe as we rolled on by,  and several commented on how good of a dog Jessi was with staying on task.  Look!  There she is waiting for us to hurry up and get to the top.

This was the half way point of Sunrise Pass with Jessi in front of what is to come and a shot from behind of what was just done.......

Just to the right of the hill on the right, was were the group picture was taken.

It was a long grinder of an uphill.  Jessi kept sprinting up and then coming back to see if we had made it.....the "luxury of 4 legged drive."  Once to the top,  I waited for Brooke.  She was having trouble with her breathing from the furious pace set from the start and was taking her "own sweet time".  No biggie, we all gather at the top before the ascent down to the bottom of Sunrise.  Lots of loose dirt and "screet" filled the trails as we wound down the mountain side.   Switchback after switchback, turn after turn, it was never ending.  My Tricepts were on fire from keeping my stance on the steep descent and working the brakes.  Jessi was having a hard time with some of the loose rock and gravel as well.  I bumped into the back of her a couple times as she was clearing the path for me through the hikers.

We come to the end of the trail as it tapers off into a flat roll to the trail head.  Good thing too.  As we hop off of our bikes, and take a break before heading out again, I notice Jessi is walking gingerly on all 4.  I lift up her paws and it was NOT a good site.  On every pad, on every paw there was blood.  Now I feel bad, like shit actually.  Apparently we had not taken into account of the terrain.  This being our first time on this section of trail, all of the screet, fine dust and rock had pretty much exfoliated her pads on the descent from above.  She was hobbling around and tried to bail from the trailhead with anybody that would take her.  I had to chase after her and bring her back as she tried to go down the stairs to the parking lot.  It was clear...she wanted no more of the trail today.  Now we have a dilemma!

We are 11 miles from our car and Jessi with jacked up feet.  We look at the map of the area and discuss our options on how to get back to the car while Brooke and Jessi stay in waiting.  1)Back the way I came with a monster of a climb.  2)  Go street side and get back to the car in about 40 minutes.  Or option 3).  Read on....

Our saving grace was that we were at an actual trail head parking lot with all the amenities. Luckily the parking lot had come stocked with a Police cruiser.  Brooke says, " go ask the officer if he'll give you a ride back over to the Subie."  Could it work, without hesitation and to Brookes' surprise, I went over to the officer and asked him to give me a lift.  Although I didn't quite tell him the truth.  I told him that Brooke had run into another one of our biker friends on the descent and hurt her leg and was not able to continue.  Good story, but a little to over the top, as the officer jumped out of his seated position on the cruiser to a full standing position outside his patrol car asking," is she hurt, does she need help, do I need to call and ambulance or fire rescue?"  Now, thinking quickly on my feet, I put that fire out and put him at ease with a "no, no, no....she's OK,  she just can't make it back to the car."  The officer definitely wanted to see what kind of shape Brooke was in after what I had said.  Walking back to the Brooke and the rest of the group,  I had to take my sunglasses off to give Brooke the ol' wink to go along with my story, as this was not discussed before talking to the officer.

As I get close to her, I ask if she feels Ok?  She says "yes, I just don't think I can make it back to the car,"  in a whimpering little voice.  Perfect.  With that said...The officer asked again if she needed any emergency services to be called.  Brooke replied "No".  With that, I was put into the back of the patrol car (not the first time, but that is another story for another day)  and we were off.  Within 10 minutes I was back at the Subie and jumped in to go rescue the Jessi and Brooke.  While I was in transit, the others continued on with the ride.  There was still 13 miles to go with more "considerable climbing" to be done.  They did not make it back to their cars for another 3. 5 hours.  Total ride time for them was 5. 5 hours.  Not the gingerly 15 miles we were hoping for.

Back at the trail head, Jessi was jumping up and down with joy as she saw me pull up.  Knowing now that she did not have to step another foot onto the trail and could rest her worn and battered paws.   Brooke had turned her riding jacket into a make shift leash because we did not pack one.  Will do so from now on.  I loaded up the bikes and gear, now off to get some grub at Rumbi Island Grill.   Just another adventure to start the year off Andy and Brooke style.