Level of Difficulty: 3-Advanced Beginner -there are a bit of soft dirt and rutted 4 wheeler trail, but most of it is relatively level. The ride up Viola Gulch is probably a 4 or 5. I rode Marcella's bike up part of the way.

 

 

 (By clicking on the "View Larger Map"  it will open in a larger window in Google Maps. Then if you click on "View in Google Earth" located at the top right of the map you view it in Google Earth and get the full effect of a 3-D view in which you can turn and spin.)

This Topo map is an overview of a 48 mile ride that I took with Marcella (about wore her out!) and some friends, John & Brandon. The pictures below are from the year previous, unfortunately my batteries died on my camara on this ride. This is looking Northwest up Hwy 28. We started up Spring Mtn Canyon, but it proved to be too difficult and rocky for some of our riders.

Here is another Topo view looing Northeast to give you a better idea of the terrain up around the Viola Gulch.

There is alot of riding in the hills in the background of these first two pics, which we explored a bit, but didn't take any pictures. Surprisingly different terrain from what you see to heavily forested. We went up Skull Creek Canyon, a very scenic area, turn right and climbed up into a forested area, went through a few draws and canyons and came out Long Canyon Rd. The other pics are marked on the first topo map.

 

Summary: This was a long, but fun ride. There is so much more to explore in this area, Spring Mtn Canyon, Willow Creek, Skull Canyon and other places. There is a place to camp along Birch Creek about 17 miles Southeast from where we unloaded.

Last updated: 10/29/07