Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126439
levers, feet, side cases or whatever else you happen to feed them. The scenery easily got our attention, but a couple of near misses and we learned to make frequent stops. It's warm above timberline. We stopped to shed jackets and watch a hawk riding an air current over the cliff above us. There are no streams up there, and we declined the brackish water in the small pond at the 10-mile mark. Just beyond is about half a mile of moderately nasty switchbacks. Most of the Forest Service trails in Washington were built years ago for fire control and administrative purposes. It makes for rather (ahem) interesting riding at times, but we are sure glad to have them. Junction with Sunrise Trail 1262 at 12.4 miles. Go straight ahead on 1261. It was mid-August and there was still a snow drift across the trail in the pass behind Jumbo Peak. It might not pay to attempt this route too early in the year. Jumbo looks black and cold even in the bright sunshine. Bright green meadows began to dominate the landscape, and at 16.5 miles Dark Meadows Trail splits off on the left. We stayed on the main route and found a cold, clear creek 200 feet beyond. We drank the water with no ill effects, but with cattle in the area it doesn't hun to purify it. Most back· packing shops can supply water puri· fication tablets. Stay on the right at the muddy crossing, and continue on to Boundary Trail II at 17.5 miles. Turn right on Boundary Trail and stay on it for the next 15.4 miles. Watch the junctions carefully to make sure you're on Boundary. It's not hard to get lost if you don't pay close attention. There are lots of switchbacks beyond the junction with Langlie Ridge Trail at M.P. 1217, nothing impossible, but some are farily sharp. The junction with Craggy Peak Trail #3 is at M.P. 26.1 in the middle of a switchback. Go to the right and stay on Boundary Trail. Between the Craggy Peak Junction and Badger Lake the trail was at times narrow and rocky with precipitous sideslopes. In places there are severe switchbacks. This same stretch of trail affords fantastic views of Shark Rock, Kirk Rock, and Craggy Peak. Badger Lake at 30.9 miles and 4,950 feet elevation is located in a beautiful mountain meadow surrounded by large trees. If you happen to be bike· packing, Badger Lake is a super place to camp. Be sure to pack out everything you brought in. There aren't many places like this left where you can still ride a trail bike, and it's important to keep them in first class condition. Long as I've climbed up on this old stump (no soapboxes in sight), I might as well mention that mufflers and spark arrestors are essential if you are going to ride this kind of country. They are also required by law. one which ought to be vigorously enforced. Two miles beyond Badger Lake at M.P. 32.9 we turned right on Mosquito Meadow Trail 1292 and at M.P. 34.0 hit F.S. Road 1112. Staying on Rd. #112 we intersected Rd. #1103 at 50.9 miles (the place we parked and started the trip). For the experienced mountain trail rider. the Badger Lake trip offers some of the best scenery in Western Washington. Also, if one has enough fuel, there are a dozen interesting side trips available. A couple of final words: First, write to Gifford Pinchot National Forest at SOO West 12th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660 and ask for an ORV Travel Plan. You should also purchase a forest map. Second, this trip is aefinitely not for novice riders, particularly the part beyond the junction with the trail to Craggy Peak. • ,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-, I , 8~ 0 8! 8i~ 8 I 8 0 8 8 8 "Quality and dependability best·describes D.I.D motorcycle chain" ••• @ 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Grand National Champion Stave Eklund DAIDO/D.I.D motorcycle chain: used by more top racing competitors than any other chain. ,G...- ~ --- 8 8 8 DAI D D 8 cC2c':~S?~~r~c~~ 8 [MYel Headquarters: 885 Centennial Avenue Piscataway. NJ06854. Phone (201) 885-1800 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~, . Save Gas • Save Money Subscribe, we deliver! OOmU(TIrulB~lB[b~(PaJruu§ "' aJlBlB~§§(TIruU~§ PLUS OFFICE AND SHIPPING EQUIPMENT By Order of till Boord 01 I)irecton K.T.M IMPORTS6 HERCULESDIST. DISTRIBUTORS-IMPORTERS MOTORCYCLES, MOTORCYCLE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES Tremendous Quantities of . on till ,....._ of: HERCULES DISTRIBUTING 9823 Mason Avenue Chatsworth, Calif. ADena.EEIS HARRY ENGELS'ON 14&27 V-.wtura 81..... ShenMn Oaks. c.. !U403 (213) 172·1557 CHRISTMAS GIFTS? HERC. ACC ESSORIES AND SACHS & DKW PARTS Plus Office & Shipping Equipment -.ECTIII: Thurs.lFri./Sat. Nov. 29,30 & Dec. I 1a1.11. tD 3 p.m. NOTE: MerchanQIlM! 15 sola as 1$ warranty.s 10 111MSS 01 use wltJ\Oul any Of repf~nlallon. as 10 Illness 01 use tor any purpose whatsoeotef Purchaser aorees 10 ISsume all liabIlity. lOt' hJlure use or resale 01 any 'tern purChased Stre-e-teh your weekendRide your motoreyele to work Monday! *EVERYTHING FOR THE RIDER* *LEATHERS - BOOTS - GLOVES - RAINGEAR* *HELMETS-JACKETS-SOX-JERSEYS-GOGGLES* X-MAS LAY-A-WAY~ PLAN!!! MASTER CHARGE VISA - BofA & CHECKS ACCEPTED 19