This is my first foray into the Advrider ride report. I decided to take a short trip into the hills west of our small town in Northern CA. The Mendocino National Forest has been my play ground since I was very small. My dad started taking me up deer hunting at a very early age. Been hunting there since for 40 something years. I started riding bikes at around age 14 and my first dual sport was a 1967 Honda 160 Scrambler. Stripped her down, put a big sprocket on the back and it became quite a hill climber. Graduated to a 1971 Husky 250 (red and chrome tank) thanks to "On any Sunday" and Malcolm Smith. Since then many and various dirt and street bikes. Here we go. The first pics start at the foot hills just out of town and then work up into the mountains: Good ol Government taking care of us lost souls: Lots of excellent dirt roads and trails to pick from: This is interesting, It's a monument dedicated to those who lost their lives fighting a fire as volunteers. I was born 13 days later: These next pics show how the guys got trapped: These are the markers where they believe some of the men got trapped: The sad thing is, a local individual started the fire to get some work out of the deal. Needless to say he spent time incarcerated for his deed. Now, up higher. Great pavement and dirt. A dual sport paradise: The wiley North Coast Columbian Blacktail. No bones on this group. Saw a nice buck a mile down the road but he wasn't sticking around for a photo shoot: This is where I started hill riding years ago. It's called the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail. This was about an 80 mile trip. I feel very blessed living where I do. Thanks for letting me share.
Nice report! I ride in the Mendocino NF, too, but have never been far enough north to see the Rattlesnake monument. I always wondered what it looked like! And you're right, the Mendo NF does, indeed, provide great dualsport opportunities. Great photos! Thanks for sharing WoodsChick
I love northern California. Thanks for taking us to the rattle snake firememorial. Great to see how some real heros are honored.
This looks like a cool ride. I am hoping to make a trip through Northern California on my way back from Alaska in '09. Your photos are great and this gives me something to research during our trip planning. Thanks for taking the time to post.
Thanks for the pics and write-up...nice to see stuff from this area. A few of us did Chico to Anthony Peak a few weeks ago. There is so much great riding up here, it's endless.
When I graduated from High School (1971) I worked for the Forest Service one season surveying for logging roads. I got to learn quite a bit of the roads up in that area. Anthony Peak was one of our main areas to work at. Hunt in that area all the time.
