Objective 04/18/19: Ascend Best Chance Rd., to a logging road on N. Fork Skookum Creek, then crossover into, and descend in Cook's Creek drainage, completing a loop. Actual ride stats: 22.3 miles, 1488 ft elevation gain,

I tried this just over a week ago, but was turned around by deep snow, just before crossing into Cook's Creek drainage. I've ridden the trail along Cook's Creek last year, on a different ride. The view of Cook's Creek from the trail looks amazing. It's like you've crossed over into a different eco-system, which you have, just because they way it faces the sun.

On this day, there was much less snow. I approached the area where I had to turn around the last time that I rode this. I was able to stay in the saddle and ride the ruts in the snow made by a motocross bike recently.

However, I saw what appeared to be elk or moose tracks in the snow, as I pedaled along, trying to stay upright in the slushy snow. I came around a snowy corner and ..............

I could also hear something that was really big in the trees below the young moose, and the youngster also seemed to be looking in the direction of the noise. I figured that might be a moose named "Mom", so I took these fully zoomed in photos, and quickly turned around.

I stopped a for bit on the way back at a nice view, that looked down where I live, and had a safety meeting to prep for the fun descent.

Looking towards home

Part of the logging road, where I took a break and looked down at where I live in the valley below.

I stopped at the logging bridge over the North Fork of Skookum Creek, for a couple photos....

I always think to myself "What if my bike fell over into the creek?"

The North Fork of Skookum Creek. I live on Skookum Creek! 

I also did some recon for another ride I want to do from the logging bridge. It climbs the peak directly over you when you're standing on the logging bridge. There's no name for it on the topo maps, but I call it "Pyramid Peak", because as you're climbing up it, that vantage makes it shaped a bit like a pyramid. In any event, I rode up this road that leads to a fork to climb the peak about 400 vertical ft until I hit snow. But, the good news is I found the right road. This climbs looks cool because it crosses from the west face of the peak to the east face, at the summit. 

This is the third time I've been turned around trying to complete this loop, where I ascend up one creek drainage, and then crossover into, and descend a different creek drainage.... that's the goal. It looks to be a classic; Right out my front door, and in my proverbial back yard. Next time!?

Close up of the route. You can see I almost made it to Cook's creek drainage, save for one Marty Moose!