ATV 37

Valentine Ridge, well, kind of ??? I couldn’t think of another name for this ride. Valentine Ridge was about the center of the ride and about the only name in about the center of our riding map. The ride originated from just south of Woods Canyon Lake and went south along the edge of Fort Apache Indian Reservation with hopes of exploring a few canyons on the reservation. We were about an hour ahead of Glenn and Jim so we went to explore a few side trails while we waited. Shown to the right is Ow Point this is a ridge on the edge of the burn out area.

So strange, one side is miles of thick forest and the other side is the remains of one of the larges fires in our national forests.
Note: this was the Chediski fire. It was started by a forest service employee. It did more damage than all the OHV’s in the U.S could have ever done.

Maybe when my grandkids are grown this part of the forest will be ready for them to enjoy.

I have been to the Fish Hatchery before but no one I am with has ever seen it. It was not that far out of the way so we took a quick trip. I believe the water crossing is built like this to prevent non-native species from going up stream, and in this case near the hatchery.

Everyone does it, and when you get home you have pictures,, of,,,, fish ??? OK. Thank goodness it’s digital and not $ film .

We had nice lightly traveled roads going south. We had a great place (ATV friendly) for lunch at Valentine Canyon. I have never seen anyone else here, picnic tables and clean rest rooms and very unused ??? SWEET !

After lunch we backtracked a bit for a short trip up Canyon Creek to see the old Ow Ranch.

Our hopes of exploring a few canyons on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation were extinguished by the nice sign that said basically NO,, but that was OK. We found a nice place for a short rest and some snacks.

Not wanting to return the same way we came and seeing that our trip was cut shorter than planned, a re-route was in order. I had anticipated that we would not be able to enter the reservation . My maps already had plan B included. I have been here before but Connie, Glenn and Jim haven’t . Off we go to Haigler Creek down in the valley and then a good climb to 7500 ft to Colcord Mountain Lookout Tower. --------I do have a goofier picture of Glenn but this one will do.

My wife Connie has been up many short towers. I did’t say a word about how tall this one was and she went up it without a word. Yes, those are the tops of Ponderosa Pines far below us. ------------- DON”T FALL OVER THE CLIFF !

No, I wasn’t falling over the edge or in any danger. Just a good place to take a silly picture.

On the other hand Glenn is out on the edge with about a 100 foot fall until he would bounce the first time on his way down ! That’s why I bring him, always entertaining !
This is another area of the forest I can check off as explored. This was a very good place to just ride and get out for the day. With the shorter days we were treated to a great sunset off the edge of the parking lot. Another 10 minutes and we would have needed flashlights to load, perfect !