The 11th Annual Sam's Spring Prairie Poker Ride

by oldnut

Another annual spring ride, the 11th, is in the record books.  Planned and led by Challenge coordinator foolhardy and ride sweep coolsen the ride started at Big Twin, kickstands up at 9:00am..  Following Pleasant Valley Road through the National Guard Range we took a break at the Stage Stop for a fill-up for those in need and a bit of gab for the rest of us.  We crossed I-84,  parked at Mayfield to check on the condition of the dance hall, parked again at Canyon Creek to check on progress of reconstruction of the stage station, then followed Immigrant Road to the intersection with highway 20 turning off at Anderson Dam Road.  We stopped to photograph at the dam overlook then descended to the Dam for a group photo before crossing the dam to follow the brimming full South Fork until the road ascends to the high prairie above Danskin Bridge.  We made a stop at the top to take in the panorama before continuing on to lunch at the Y-stop. 

After lunch we began the homeward leg with the required stop at Long Gulch Falls for Challenge Site photos there.   The Falls are the best I have ever seen, quite spectacular!  Then it was just the dusty ride over Neal Bridge and up the cliffs side with one final look back at Arrowrock Reservoir framed by the Trinities, one of my very favorite views anywhere.  A  few riders took the side trip to Bonneville Point with a possible ride back to Highway 21 via the original Oregon Trail.  The rest of us followed Blacks Creek Road then home. 

Thanks to the leaders for their patience and knowledge of the area, to my knowledge there were no flats, mechanical issues or get-offs.  I think all had an excellent ride and we will be looking forward to the 12th Annual Spring Ride in 2018 soon.

 Kickstands down at Mayfield, Idaho.

Mayfield dance hall lit by absent roof shingles.

Idaho sky through neglected historic building roof.

Canyon Creek conversation.

No problem!

Anderson Dam overlook.

Spring run-off discharging at Anderson Dam.

The 11th Annual Sam's Prairie Poker Ride of 2017 alumni.

Panorama from the cliff above Danskin Bridge.

Long Gulch Falls.

Challenge site #24.

Arrowrock Reservoir flanked by the Trinity Mountains.