I had an awesome ride on Sunday with Deb in the Wilson’s Creek Gorge. It’s been back to work and the real world once Monday rolled around… wish it was the weekend again already so I could be spending the day on the trail!

I have never seen so many people in Wilson’s Creek Gorge as I did on Sunday. There were tons of cars and people swimming in different sections of the river. It was funny with all the “traffic.” I was getting frustrated on our drive in and out of the Gorge, because I am not used to cars actually being around… we’re usually the only cars in there.

Persimmon ridge is a great trail off of Pineola Rd in the Gorge. Sunday was only the third time I had done the Persimmon trail, and it was actually the first time I enjoyed the trail… the first two times I did this trail was during some horrible weather. The first time on Persimmon was during the winter and it was snowing at the top of the climb… the second time was during the spring and it was raining, but it sure felt like it was snowing when we made it up to the top (at least, that’s what Tanya says…).

After the long gravel climb up Pineola, you descend a ways on gravel roads to the trail head. The single track is tight, somewhat twisty, and has a lot of roots and rocks. There isn’t a lot of steep climbing, which is nice. The singletrack links in to a doubletrack creekbed climb with tons of loose rocks, and if it’s been raining a lot (like it has lately) then the trail looks like a creek instead of a trail.

There are some great views of Grandfather mountain off the doubletrack. I need to take a camera with me so I can get some snap shots. Next time!

After the doubletrack, you hook into the lower section of Greentown trail… lots of technical downhill (rocks, gullys, drop-offs) and some river crossings (thigh to waist high if there’s lots of rain). This is where Deb leaves me behind, but I still have a great time on the downhill!

Joe took the doggies for a hike at Mortimer Campground while Deb and I rode… they were nice and tired when we got back.

Some hikers saw me and Deb on the last section of Greentown and one of them yelled to me, “You guys must have some strong legs!!!”

I just thought, “kid you have no idea…”