Castle Rock ride

[BMcCrary27 <BMcCrary27@aol.com>]

We stated that we would be able to make a decision about Castle Rock by the
middle of April. We're two days shy, but we've made our decision based on
yesterday's weather. We regretfully must cancel Castle Rock. This is the
second cancellation, along with one postponement, in five years.

At about 2PM yesterday, sun shining, temperature warm, we saddled for a ride.
About 1/4 mile out we felt a chill in the air and both wished we had worn
vests. We rode a slow/moderate pace for five miles and arrived home with the
sky clouded over. By 7PM it was raining, and by 10 PM it was POURING! Rainfall
during the night - .70". We've hit the 65" mark now, the highest rainfall in
recorded history here at Swanton. We're not convinced it's over yet. The only
thing predictable about the weather is it's consistent pattern of clouding up
suddenly and dumping a lot of rain  within a few hours.

All of us are making excellent progress in restoring the trails, but if wet,
they are treacherous in places. The campsite is inaccessible - the road muddy
and badly rutted, the campsites wet and boggy.

We are very sorry to have to cancel, but will now be putting our energies into
Applegate-Lassen Trail (reports from that area reflect normal precipitation)
and Swanton Pacific (it SHOULD be dry by mid-August!). Let's hope next year is
not like this one; 30" of rain, nicely distributed between November and late
April would have been quite sufficient.

Barbara McCrary, ride mgr.
Castle Rock/Big Creek R&T