The large gang of Divas divided into two smaller groups. I rode with Lori's group which took up a steady, brisk pace to keep us warm as we made a loop around the Campbell Tract, then to Hillside and the rooty, muddy descent which is Black Bear Trail. We fended off the mid-summer mosquitoes where ever we took breaks, but we didn't take many breaks...
the photo taken a week ago on Rover's Run.Early on, a couple people suggested that we not ride Rover's Run (aka Mellen's Way). Hadn't we heard about the photo? Uh, no... While our group opted to not take that particular trail, the second group, led by Katherine, rode the lower portion of the trail. Guess they didn't worry about (or even see) the photo and story that had appeared that day in the online version of the Daily News that said people should avoid the trail. (The publicity may explain the guy at the trailhead with a pistol on his hip.)
Well, a group of 8 or so women whooping it up as they splash through the mud puddles will probably cause any sensible bear to make a hasty get-away, leading her cubs along to safety. Is it any surprise that no bears were spotted? Diva legs, arms and faces, however, were spotted, streaked and splashed with mud! I guess it really is late July.
Lori's group at the intersection of Black Bear & Moose Meadow trails.No bears here!.
*This story has a small revision because I don't want to imply that people saw the story in the online version of the newspaper and carelessly rode the trail anyway. Most of us (including the poster) had not seen the story until after the ride.
posted by Rose