CRANDALL PEAK OUTING: by Chas Moser
This is a new area for TBSA, located in the Sierra about 30 miles up beyond Sonora. Via Hwy 49, the 5,000 ft elevation campsite is only 125 miles from Loomis. TBSA had the whole campsite to themselves plus a few local day riders. The outing had a pretty good turnout with seven rigs and eight riders (Baumgarts, Cornwells, Cottrells, Heplers, Larry Mason, Mosers, and Smiths). The daytime temperatures ranged from 80-85 F so it was on the warm side but still definitely tolerable. There is an abundance of riding available over a large area with all the single track you could ask for, with some of the trails suitable for beginning and intermediate riders while many of the trails are more advanced and/or 'Black Diamond', plus unlimited miles and miles of dirt roads. Many of us enjoyed a scenic midday lunchtime respite at beautiful Lyons Lake most every day.
The Smiths had RV problems which took several days to fix and therefore didn't make it to the campsite until Saturday. Chas, in his infinite wisdom, decided to rearrange the Champagne/Wine social from Saturday/Sunday to Friday/Saturday due to the planned departure of some of the folks on Sunday. Unfortunately, and with the deepest of apologies to the Smiths, TBSA went through all six bottles of Champagne on Friday leaving only the wine for the Saturday social. Chas had wanted to save one or two bottles of Champagne for Saturday but was soundly voted down. The Potluck on Saturday was out of sight and truly spectacular. Dust notwithstanding, everyone had a wonderful time here. In the future, it would perhaps be better to schedule Crandall Peak a little earlier in the season shortly after the snow melt.
CRANDALL PEAK PHOTOS: taken by Ron Cottrell and Vicki Hepler
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