The Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route, Day 6

Day 6; 43 miles (956 to Walla Walla)

Day 6 started leisurely at Mottet Campground. It was cold - there was frost on the ground. Zander had a good down sleeping bag. Tom had a crappy old sleeping bag, and had to go to bed wearing everything but his boots (wearing Goretex Jacket!).

Since the sun wouldn't break over the trees for another half hour or so, Tom decided to warm up with an out-and-back ride down a gnarly four-mile singletrack to the Walla Walla river. Even at 36 degrees, he had built up a nice sweat upon return.

It was a shame that the ride was almost over. A few more miles of forest, and then the road winds down the valley to the river, and back to civilization, or at least to that place where they give you lattes and traffic tickets.

We were ready to get off the bikes.......after 950+miles of off road nirvana, it was time to take a break.

And it was time to give credit where credit is due ---BRAVO Oregon parks department!!!!

I lowered my tire pressure to 9 lbs for this rocky sidehill trail.

Repeat - this is not on the OBDR route! (but it is a gnarly picture....)

This descent to Walla Walla river marks the exit of the OBDR. The road switches back down to the river in the distance. This marks the bittersweet end where we leave the forest, but at 900+ miles, we were kinda ready to get off the bikes.

Lacking chicks and booze, we decided against sounding our horns.......

This biker camp was a few hundred feet on the Oregon side of the Washington border. One can easily imagine that if an outlaw biker made it across the line, he could escape the WA state Patrol. It's a LONG way (by gravel) from the nearest Oregon town.

Be careful on this road as the speed limit is 40mph (presumeably to bait the "outlaw bikers"?)