A 20% Chance of an Evening Thundershower

Dan and I spent most of Friday in town, so Saturday morning, we couldn't wait to get out and ride. Our friend Grif was at our house early (ok, early for us), and we were off to the Pryors. It was a beautiful, sunny morning, but as we got closer to the mountains, we noticed big, white, fluffy clouds forming over the peaks. But Grif assured us that we were fine. He had checked the weather and there was only a 20% chance of an evening thundershower.

OUCH!

We got unloaded and headed for the top. We basically retraced our track from last Friday night. Dan got stuck ~ again ~ in the same mudhole, but Grif pulled him out. We took the same little side-trail into the woods, because I knew Grif would like it. It dead-ends, so we stopped and walked around a bit. By now, we were hearing some rather ominous thunder. Just as we were coming back into the meadow, it started to rain. So we ducked back into the trees and donned rain gear. The marble-sized hail that quickly followed made me glad for my helmet. After a while, the rain stopped and we returned to the main trail.  

Out on top again, we realized that Mother Nature had not finished her tantrum. The valley below (and our poor truck) was getting hammered, and the storm was coming up behind us fast. Knowing that out in the open high on a bald mountain top is not the safest place to be in a thunderstorm, we went racing across the top to a safer place. We got back into the lower trees just as it started to rain again. This time was not as intense, but I was soaked and cold. Grif offered to build me a fire, but of course, everything was wet. But with persistence (and some maybe less-than-Boy Scout-approved methods), he succeeded. Lesson learned: ALWAYS carry marshmallows and hot dogs! 

Finally, the sun came out. As we rode, we started to dry out and warm up. Dan had been wanting to go down the switchbacks to Crooked Creek Road, but there was still too much snow last time. This time it was clear and we made it to the valley floor. That was when I spotted the bear. The guys said she had cubs, but I don't carry my binoculars, so I didn't see them. We then went over and peered down into the canyon, then turned in a generally homeward direction. As we stopped at an intersection in the trail to decide whether to take the main road or a more circuitous route back to the truck, the rain began for the third time. So we rode like mad into the pounding rain and arrived back at the truck soaked to the skin. As we were loading up, I glanced east and spotted a beautiful rainbow. Ok, fine, Mother Nature... truce. I'll be back. 

I had no idea that sage had berries!