Again…your Google Earth files are HERE, or if you’re Googley challenged, have a gander at this screenshot…

Day 3 looked to be huge. After another night of wind and fitful showers, we packed up and began our climb to Warner Pass. The big bonus? It’s ALL singletrack from here to Tyaughton, which is still a few days away.

Mitchell tries riding some Shore with the trailer.

I found it amazing how well the bike climbed pulling the trailer. The weight of it helped push you through stuff that you would normally bog down in. Also, it didn’t get really steep until the last couple of pitches, so it was pretty smooth going. Lyall enjoys a rare moment of downhill in the sub-alpine.

The last creek crossing, and someone has wet feet.

These sub-alpine meadows were astonishing, and the trail was fantastic.

So were the views. That’s Peter working his way up the climb.

Little tiny people in big ass mountains.

Steve going hard at 7000′.

No, this isn’t just scenery. Steve, Chris, and Punky are in there somewhere. Maybe Lyall too. Warner Pass is just at the upper right. We walked over that snowpatch to the summit.

Lyall, Guiness, fresh snow on the peaks, and snow falling from the sky. Welcome to summer in the mountains.

Time to take a rest as we close in on 7000′

Shane catches a snowflake on his tongue.

…then he enjoys a rare downhill moment. At this stage, downhill knd of sucks, ’cause you know you’re going to have to make it back right away.

OK, I’m not really that hurting here. Just hamming it up for the camera. I actually felt great here, and helped everyone else as much as I could. I crossed the pass a total of 7 times….

THE TOP!!!

Chris was first up, by a long shot, and Steve was right on his ass.

We had to take a break to enjoy the summit. According to Chris, who’s been here several times, we were at 8 100′, but the map places the pass at more like 7 800′. Whatever, it’s freakin’ UP there.

Since we were at the high point of the tour, I figured we should celebrate. I’d managed to carry some limejice, tequila, and triplesec all the way up here, and combined with some fresh snow it made a delicious margarita slushie. Cheers, eh?

Of course, at around 8 000′ it also made for a great buzz. Somehow that equated to Mitchell and me developing Hans and Franz accents and a constant stream of oddball pseudo-german comments all the way down.

“Ja…you think you are ze good rider, but I am ze one who is riding good, unlike you little girly boys.”

Oh yeah….now look closely and you’ll see little tiny riders way off in the background.

One of the smoother parts of the trail. Another great thing about riding with a trail is that it’s impossible to endo, which made riding down these massive talus fields possible. Being drunk may have helped….

Shreddie in his element.

The problem trailer of Theresa’s was still hanging in there, but we did have to stop a couple of times to repair it.

Mark proved that it’s not the size of your wrench, it’s how you use it.

Warner Lake, our destination. Still a couple of hours away, and the margs were wearing off.

..but it’s all downhill so “Give ‘ER!”

Rubberneck break….

Funny how the lake never seems to get any closer, but we keep on truckin’.

OK, so maybe it’s impossible to endo, but yours truly proves that it’s not impossible to wipe out.

It’s still a long way to go.

…and then his wheel fell off. Well, it was pretty old….

Finally, the bottom. You can just make out the entrance to Warner Pass in the background (just under the spiky sort of peak in the upper right).

Sunset at Warner Lake.

Finally, another good meal and some hot toddies around the fire.