E M E R A L D   L A K E

Gallatin National Forest
Southern Montana

Friday, July 30, 2004

Today's 9-mile round trip bike ride will be a tough one because the trail's singletrack looks a bit unforgiving and treacherous. Not only is it steep in certain switchback sections, it also is littered with obstacles like tree roots and rocks. And to top it all off the trail is high up in the mountains, topping out at nearly 9,000 feet with 1,700 vertical feet of climb.

Despite all the adversity the trail has to offer it sounds like a lot of fun cuz if ya ain't up to the challenge, y'all should just sell the bike and go home!

So with thoughts of hucking multiple "supermans" up and over the handlebars I hop on the bike and head over to the trailhead (FYI I -did- wear a helmet on the ride).

Verifying I am on the right trail, I proceed to start my high altitude adventure. My last ride introduced me to 6,680 feet when I cycled up to Glacier's Logan Pass. I now find myself feeling optimistic, thinking this ride will benefit from that past experience.