We gathered at the ATV trailhead on Chippewa Trail early Saturday morning for Michelle Richardson’s fall ATV Color Ride. She chose this weekend because looking back on previous years, our area had some nice fall colors by this weekend. The trees were off to a fast start to change colors this year, but that progress slowed during the last week of balmy, summer-like weather. Although we didn’t have the color we expected, our day was certainly colorful!
Gene and Michelle led 33 machines with well over 50 people throughout the beautiful Seeley Hills, and up through some lesser-used trails north of Rock Lake Road. We found ourselves riding under a relentless drizzle most of the morning, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying the ride – at least there was no trail dust to contend with!
Seeley Hill’s little-known secret is its ATV ‘unmaintained trails’. These offer a rustic trail riding experience, complete with mud and water holes for added adventure. Gene and Michelle planned on taking us through a few of these trails- and described our choices when we got to the fork in one of the trails;” if we go to the left, someone is getting stuck, and if we go to the right, no one will get stuck”. Of course, we all went to the left.
We drove through a heavy canopy of unkempt trees and brush as we left the main trail, and as we forged deeper into the woods, the overgrowth thickened until it seemed we were driving through a squeezing tunnel of bramble and leaves.
Suddenly the line stopped, but we could not see far enough ahead to tell what was going on. I could faintly hear the occasional and sudden surge of an engine, along with cheering, so I assumed the first riders reached an exciting mud or water hole.
As I waited in this slow-moving line, the vision of cleaning endless mud off my Wildcat caused me to seek out an escape route to bypass what was coming – but the narrow, tight trail took away that option and left me with no choice but to keep moving towards the activity.
Finally, we got to the water hole – and the rider in front of me was at the edge ready to plunge in. I could see that this water hole was long and deep, and at the end of it was a short, higher-ground landing area, immediately followed by a second water hole. The trees hanging over the landing area blocked my full view of the second water hole so I had no idea what was ahead.
The driver ahead of me instinctively hit the throttle as he dove into the pond, causing a tidal wave of murky, brown water to cover his machine. He climbed up onto dry ground, his machine dripping with muddy water while he waited his turn for the next water hole.
I saw him descend into the second water hole but couldn’t tell if he made it to the other side and was waiting for the ‘all clear’ yell.
Turns out a few riders got hung up on ruts hiding under the thick soup of the second water hole and had to get winched or pulled out to dry ground. Once it was clear to go, riders that already had made it to the other side yelled at me to stay to the right as I dropped into the first water hole. I too, was hit by a cyclone of muddy water as I blasted through to the other side.
From the landing overlooking the second hole, I tried to assess what I was getting into – but it was impossible to see below the water surface and all I had to go by was the cue to stay right. I thought ‘Well here we go!’ as I plunged into the turbid water towards the right side. I could instantly feel the deep, uneven ruts on the bottom trying to suck me toward the center where I was sure to get hung up, so I gave it more gas and fought to go in the direction I wanted. The angry-cold water splashed everywhere as I picked up speed, then suddenly, I was out and on high ground, relieved that I didn’t get stuck.
It was a comical scene on the other side as I squeezed my mud-laden machine between the others; riders emptying muddy water from their boots, radiators steaming like they were on fire, people cheering on the rest of the riders through the challenge- the whole group of us was wet, filthy, and scraggly looking, but everyone was smiling and laughing.
After some windshield cleaning and a few clothing changes, we were off for more trail riding before dinner. The rain finally let up and we were finally able to enjoy a few pleasant trailside stops.
Late afternoon, we all made our way over to Blackiron Bar & Grill, on Hwy 77 for dinner. At the beginning of the ride, Michelle collected $10 from each of the 50-60 riders and then called in a large pizza order to Blackiron before we went there. We gathered at their nice outdoor patio area, some visiting around the roaring bonfire, others grouped up on the many picnic tables – soon the attentive staff began bringing out a variety of different pizzas, a few at a time, until everyone was fed. This was an excellent way to feed a large crowd of hungry people- and Blackiron really did a nice job!
We decided to make one last trail run up and around Nelson Lake, with a quick nightcap stop at Nelson Lake Landing. Since I live up that way, I said my goodbyes and went home from there while the others rode back into town – some, from miles away, were staying at hotels in Hayward, while others were driving home that night.
So even though our scenery wasn’t as colorful as we hoped for, the folks on the ride made up for it – some I’ve known from other rides, and others I met that day- each had their own unique personalities and funny stories. A colorful array of folks who all came together for the love of trail riding!