The snow level for the next couple of weather fronts is dropping below the top of the Butte! I needed to get one more day of the hero soil before traction, elevation, and conditions, shut it down for the season. The ride began in early morning sun and partly cloudy skies and clouded over at the end. The first run was good but I did lose my line on a narrow downhill traverse. I was able to recover back to the trail but almost went down the fall line. Farther down, I startled a 3-point buck who ran across the trail. Luckily it was 100 feet in front of me! 

I took the Winter Traverse back to the Butte road and climbed for run number two. It was getting windier at the summit so I put the windbreaker on. My second run was a blast!! The jump just below the summit is still a little soft but taking it is a better route than going around the tree.

Halfway down the ridge, another deer crossed my path again. I love going early in the morning and seeing the wildlife out there on my rides! The rest of the run was wonderful with ideal dirt and barely any erosion from the atmospheric river remnants we got here on the east side. The second run got me 3rd Global on the Trailforks Leaderboard for the Butte Downhill!

It was just what I needed after hosting family for a 90th bday and caring for the birthday boy 24/7.

I’ve been stuck in the Chelan area for almost 6 months now and really missing my happy place in Darrington. I can’t wait to be back on the west side of the Cascades again. Today was a great ride and the Trailforks ride log and pictures are here. The new 3D tour feature is pretty neat for rides with topography!