[dwayne]

Bears seem to be a recurring theme when I ride with 650freak. This little black just stood there looking at us like his buddy was sneaking up behind us.



We wanted to get as close as possible to Icefall.









eventually the road became impassible. This stuff was as hard as concrete and as slick as a skating rink



which makes for as good as place as any for a break



and some decent views





A close up...it reminded us of something out of Lord of the Rings



I left a little earlier than the others to fill up my camel back at a stream/snow slide that we had to pick our way around on the way up. As I approached it slide from above, I could see a bear drinking from exactly the place I needed to ride. I stopped, and had to decide to either grab my camera, or my bear spray. I chose bear spray. I honked the horn. I revved the engine. I yelled. The bear continued to drink.

Eventually he left. Then the others showed up and we negotiated the snow pack.



The ride back to Golden was uneventful, but interesting and beautiful.





We had supper at eleven22 in Golden