Twenty Plus One

On a previous ride, we had found enough water sources to try a loop trail connecting the the Avintaquin canyon country with Grayhead Peak, so we were ready to accept the challenge. 

We rode along the east bench of the south fork of Avintaquin Creek to Big Draw Spring, then studied map and mountains for a route up to the high ridgeline leading to Grayhead. 

It was steep going, but we made the top and continued on to ride the ridge.  (Enlarge photo above to see red arrows showing our approximate ascent.)

The crests look relatively smooth, but riding them actually requires a lot of up and down.

When we reached the shoulder of Grayhead Peak (9500 ft 2900 m), we traversed around the side, since we were short on time and we'd already been to the peak on another ride.  The red line in the photo shows our approximate path.  Looks impossible, you say?  I said that, too.  So did Mischief.  But Steve and Boss led the way.  We're back, so it must have been okay. (Actually, the footing in the sand/gravel soil wasn't bad, and there was even an old deer trail -- a crazy deer, perhaps.)

Once again, we wore out the day, returning to the trailer at dusk. 

We went twenty miles, plus almost one mile of elevation gain and loss. Horses, riders and Daisy all demanded at least one day of rest.

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