Day 4: Mississippi Lake to Jackrabbit Lake
Today's beautiful 13.8-mile ride is largely downhill or level (with numerous short uphills along the way): from Mississippi Lake at 2200 feet, down to 1080 feet on Orestimba Creek Road, then up to about 1300 feet at Jackrabbit Lake.
Highlights on this very hot day include spectacular views over the Orestimba Wilderness from above on County Line Road, and the idyllic, isolated feel of the Jackrabbit Lake area.
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Date: August 29, 2007, 10h20
Size: 30 items
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I walk down to Mississippi Lake to see what the birds are doing.
Looking forward to today's ride to Jackrabbit Lake, I'm up early (9h is early for me). The sun heating up my tent has made it impossible to stay inside.
Date: August 29, 2007, 08h56
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Close up of the plant life in Mississippi Lake.
Mississippi Lake water doesn't taste too terrible in the early morning, but as the day heats up, the green-and-muddy taste and smell get amplified. I walk back to the campsite for breakfast.
Date: August 29, 2007, 08h54
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Ready, the 10-ton bike waits for its chauffeur to drive it to Jackrabbit Lake, on the other side of the Orestimba Wilderness.
I was hoping to get out toward the Orestimba Wilderness as part of last summer's bike trip in Coe Park, but getting to Mississippi Lake took all my energy!
Date: August 29, 2007, 12h15
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Rising up the end of Willow Ridge Road away from Mississippi Lake, to meet County Line Road on the ridge.
Wow, I've worked up a sweat already and I'm barely half a mile away from the campsite.
Date: August 29, 2007, 12h29
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Great views across the Orestimba Creek valley from County Line Road at the junction of Hartman Trail
Jackrabbit Lake, today's destination, is down in the valley below, roughly at the bottom left side of the photo.
Date: August 29, 2007, 12h44
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A little further down County Line Road, I reach the short dead-end trail to Board Spring (to the right).
I will refill my water supply at Board Spring and then return here to continue the ride down County Line Road.
Date: August 29, 2007, 13h37
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The trail to Board Spring starts out road-like, but it's rather grown-in as it approaches its end at the spring.
The Board Spring water tub is just barely visible in the centre of the photo at the end of the trail.
Date: August 29, 2007, 13h22
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Ready to pump some water at Board Spring.
The water at Board Spring is pretty good. The spring is still flowing a bit, and the basin doesn't have much algae in it.
Date: August 29, 2007, 13h01
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Back on County Line Road, still riding along the ridge, but descending slowly.
This part of County Line Road leaves chamise chaparral and passes through some pine and oak forest.
Date: August 29, 2007, 13h47
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