An April Ride in Idaho: A Little Snow, a Little Mud

[SpudRider]

About a week ago I took one of my favorite rides to the Blackfoot Reservoir. :) I had traveled this route earlier in the month, riding into the sagebrush to bypass a snowdrift crossing the gravel road. However, on this day, the snow had receded a bit from the road. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop014.jpg

Therefore, I decided to take the shortest route, through the short patch of snow. It couldn’t be that bad, could it?

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop001.jpg

After all, I had my Kenda, K760 Trakmaster tire on the rear wheel, didn’t I?

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop003.jpg

The snow patch was only twenty feet long, right?

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop004.jpg

Surely the melting snow was firmly packed. I had no need to test the route first, by walking it, did I?

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop007.jpg

Fortunately, my modified YamaZong is light. ;) However, I certainly gained some newfound respect for the springtime snows of Idaho before I continued on my journey. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop012.jpg

Spud :)

[Weldangrind]

No kickstand needed for the photograph. :lol:

[FastDoc]

It's good exercise, Spud! :D

At least it does not look like you had far to drag the bike to get it out.

[AZ200cc]

Looks kinds fun, For You :D ......I would be inside drinking cocoa :lol:

[MICRider]

Lol! I can see that your next mod will be tire chains? :D

[SpudRider]

It's good exercise, Spud! :D

At least it does not look like you had far to drag the bike to get it out.
Actually, I got off the bike, and working the clutch, I was able to rock the Zong out of the snow hole. I then powered the Zong through the snow while walking alongside the bike. ;) Did I ever mention I really like my Kenda, K760, Trakmaster rear tire? :D :lol:

Traveling farther east, I reached the Blackfoot River. I descended into the canyon, and stopped to enjoy the scenery. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop020.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop025.jpg

Leaving the canyon, I continued eastward through the beautiful, remote countryside. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop026.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop035.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop049.jpg

The canyon of the Blackfoot River deepened a bit, so I rode to an overlook to enjoy the scenery. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop040.jpg

The trail to the overlook was so sloppy, I managed to cake both tires with mud! 8O However, I kept my balance until I was on firmer ground. :)

When I reached the north shore of the Blackfoot Reservoir, I noted the lake was still frozen. However, the road was much drier than it was during my last visit. :) I stopped to get some photographs from my favorite vantage points before I continued riding to the south. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop057.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop069.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop073.jpg

Spud :)

[MICRider]

Beautiful pics Spud, looks like it was an awesome ride! (Except for the getting stuck part!) You guys still have quite a bit of snow, when does it usually melt off? :)

[SpudRider]

Beautiful pics Spud, looks like it was an awesome ride! (Except for the getting stuck part!) You guys still have quite a bit of snow, when does it usually melt off? :)
Thank you, Stew. :) The snow usually disappears from the lower elevations (5,000-6,000 feet above sea level) by the middle of May. At the higher elevations (9,000 feet above sea level) some snow can remain until August. ;) However, the snow will be gone from most of my favorite mountain trails by June. :)

Spud :)

[SpudRider]

Continuing south, along the east shore of the reservoir, I was rewarded with more beautiful scenery. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop081.jpg

I stopped frequently to enjoy the views, and to take a few photographs. However, I encountered many muddy sections of road, and the Zong started to get a bit dirty. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop085.jpg

The lake was still frozen, and the mountains were still covered with snow. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop108.jpg

Also, many migratory waterfowl had stopped at the lake, taking a short respite from their long trip north for the summer. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop149.jpg

The lake is beautiful at all seasons of the year, but I particularly enjoy viewing it in the spring. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop171.jpg

Because of the drifting snow, and the muddy roads, I did not encounter another person during the entire ride. I enjoyed the scenery alone, accompanied by only the beautiful waterfowl. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop174.jpg

Leaving the lake behind, I exited the gravel road near Henry, Idaho. During my ride I had encountered a little snow, and a little mud. :) With a contented heart, I turned southward, toward Soda Springs, and rode the pavement back home. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop178.jpg

Spud :)

[AZ200cc]

Wish I could ride like that here, Everything is shut down or requires permits or tags, PLus the old folks try to run You over every chance they get......You're a lucky guy Spud.

[FastDoc]

There is a lot that is great about The Great Northwest. :D

Except for the weather, there is little I miss about Kalifornia anymore.

I just spent the afternoon shooting with my buddy at my neighbor's range. We shot 1911's, a German 8mm Mauser, and an AR-15. We shot for hours off his porch, then drank homemade beer by the fire. Before shooting I rode Q on some dirt roads on the way to his house.

Life is good in The Great Frozen Desert. 8)

[SpudRider]

Wish I could ride like that here, Everything is shut down or requires permits or tags, PLus the old folks try to run You over every chance they get......You're a lucky guy Spud.
Thank you, AZ. :) Indeed, Idaho is a great place to ride a dual sport motorcycle. ;)

Spud :)

[SpudRider]

...I just spent the afternoon shooting with my buddy at my neighbor's range. We shot 1911's, a German 8mm Mauser, and an AR-15. We shot for hours off his porch, then drank homemade beer by the fire...
We can also practice our banjo pickin'! ;) :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N40d047u-L8&feature=related

Spud :)

[FastDoc]

...I just spent the afternoon shooting with my buddy at my neighbor's range. We shot 1911's, a German 8mm Mauser, and an AR-15. We shot for hours off his porch, then drank homemade beer by the fire...
We can also practice our banjo pickin'! ;) :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N40d047u-L8&feature=related

Spud :)

Might not be Heaven, but you can see it from there.

[SpudRider]

...I just spent the afternoon shooting with my buddy at my neighbor's range. We shot 1911's, a German 8mm Mauser, and an AR-15. We shot for hours off his porch, then drank homemade beer by the fire...
We can also practice our banjo pickin'! ;) :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N40d047u-L8&feature=related

Spud :)
Might not be Heaven, but you can see it from there.
Amen, brother Bill! :D

Spud :)

[FastDoc]

Everyone had fun, except a few bunnies and prarie dogs (voles, actually). An AR pistol does terrible things to the little vamints. 8O

[TurboT]

Everyone had fun, except a few bunnies and prarie dogs (voles, actually). An AR pistol does terrible things to the little vamints. 8O

>biting tongue hard<

[FastDoc]

This is where Spud usually asks for pictures. :idea:

[SpudRider]

Once again, we see a classic example of "China Riders Thread Drift." :lol:

Spud :)

[Weldangrind]

Once again, we see a classic example of "China Riders Thread Drift." :lol:

Spud :)

I like drifting. I grew up drifting in the snow in Alberta. :D

[SpudRider]

Once again, we see a classic example of "China Riders Thread Drift." :lol:

Spud :)
I like drifting. I grew up drifting in the snow in Alberta. :D
Speaking of snow, I was quite surprised to get stuck in that snowdrift I encountered on this ride! 8O

Spud :)

[Jim]

Snow is fun :D

I really liked this picture, the bike stands out really well
http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/A%20Little%20Snow%20A%20Little%20Mud/BlackfootReservoirSnowStop035.jpg

[SpudRider]

Snow is fun :D

I really liked this picture, the bike stands out really well.
Thank you, Jim. :)

Spud :)