Griffth Highlands Peakbagging Round 2 August 26th-28th 2025

At the end of August it was a return to the Griffith area for round 2 with the area and challenging ideas with mountain bikes. As mentioned earlier in the June blog entry post trip to Griffith that there was a peak that looked doable. So this would be the trip to bag The West Peak.

 

  Griffith Highlands Peakbagging June 2nd -4th 2025 

 

 It was a few days before leaving that another potential was spotted Bluff Mtn. It didn't really look exactly like it could be bagged. However one had to give it an attempt. Which as would turn out was truly undoable and can read more in the link.

  Attempting Bluff Mtn - Griffith August 26th 2025 

 To be honest one has to expect that not every attempt will be a success. Just because it looks possible on a map doesn't mean the reality on the ground once there will match. Every Ontario peak or high point I consider and attempt has the potential to not be a success.So back to truck and then back to where was camping overnight.

 

 Day two had as Borat memes would say...

 

Day two saw the successful bagging of the West Peak of  The Three Mountains and turns out the highest peak of the area I bagged so far. This of course after descending and getting back to camp and the Ute.

  West Peak of The Three Mountains August 27th 2025

 Would lead to an easy spin to the nearby General Store for some ice cream and pop to have some kind of reward. And sit by the Madawaska River for a wee bit before heading back to camp for more food. And to chill and sleep as was a successful long day.

 

Woke up to rain the next morning and feeling kind of achy. With it being rainy didn't really feel like hanging out at camp much more Maybe if hadn't rained would have been in a better head space whoever with the rain kinda felt like time to go. So packed up everything as best could in the rain and headed towards Highway 41.  

 

Though I did stop on the way out near Hyland Creek Rd and Highway 41 where there was a sort of rest stop for campers to deposit garbage and such. Sat for a wee bit under the shelter taking in more fluids while giving myself more time to wake up. Kind of easier to do that when not thinking about packing stuff up in the rain.

 

 After a bit was time to head down the highway for home. Though I readily admit stopped at Rosie's General Store near Denbigh and picked up some greasy Onion Rings. Sort of some comfort food while driving Highway 41 in the rain home.

  

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West Peak of The Three Mountains August 27th 2025

In June had done a trip to Griffith and had a successful adventure and after getting home had been thinking of going back again. 

  Griffith Highlands Peakbagging June 2nd -4th 2025

 

 Over the summer had been looking at track in the area and while had noted Bluff Mountain which did te day before. And was a bust. I had noted the West peak of The Three Mountains. Based on what could sort of see looking online at Google Sat view and All Trails it looked like there might be a way to bag it.

  West Peak of Three Mountains- Best Descent So Far in Griffith.

 Even better to confirm my hunch about it received my copy a week before going of the Backroads Mapbooks paper map of the Griffith Area. which when looked close showed that indeed there was a route in from the backside and maybe a route down on the front side.  However the truth will always reveal itself once one gets to the peak if it is actually rideable as what is there may not match the map.

 

 After getting ready and packing the Hookabike in the pack just in case had to do some wearing the Stylus as a backpack. Headed out from the campsite on Hyland Creek Rd. and when got to the first intersection headed right on Three Mountain Rd. Which a bit further in near Tincamp Lake turns left while the route towards West Peak follows an unnamed FSR. You really need a proper paper backroads map to navigate with to best find the route as nothing exactly matches using say AllTrails app.

 

At the end of the FSR and a wee bit of backtracking to the ATV track. Followed that track as it meandered all over in. Till it came out of the trees to a spot that looked to be roughly a high point. Well as best can spot in Ontario.

 

After checking Peakbagger which showed I was roughly where it should be. Especially have to consider that it may not be 100% accurate. Say that as other then ATV's I might be the only mountain biker to go to this peak. Or maybe the only one in a long time. It would be later when looking at the data at home would find out this would be the highest peak or high point I bagged so far in that area.

 So after bagging the peak followed the ATV track that went down from the peak, the same track that I suspected would descend all the way based on the map. Stopped to sit on a rock at a spot can see more of the valley below. After was there for a wee bit two ATV riders came over the top and proceeded down the track was looking at. Well, let's let them be the unknowing 2 man recce team and see if they come back so will confirm the map was accurate. 

 While sitting there also looked at the map and based on what also saw the West Peak of The Three Mountains was the only one accessible. Well without a great amount of bush bashing and who knows what else to get there. Not interested in that.. After waiting a while and looking out over the valley they never returned. Now I know what is that way and it is good to go.Packed up and resumed the descent.

 

 

And after alot of careful descending as being in a remote area crashing and getting hurt wouldn't be a good time. And needing rescue was not on the menu. Eventually the rock slabs gave way to the standard dirt and rock double track of the area. Which meant in theory was close to connecting with the FSR.

 

 Which after a bit of that came out and joined Three Mountain FSR Rd and mission success. Bagged the West Peak of Three Mountains and found what turns out to be the best descent ridden up there to date.From there reversed course back to camp on the FSR's took in. And from there a quick easy spin to the general store to grab a reward for the success.

 Short version of the day,

 

And the longer more full length video.

 

And just for fun did a downhill only version.

 

 

 

 

 Ended up doing both as after trip was tinkering with video editing and added both videos just for fun. Though in future won't do the GoPro App edit version as it cuts too much out.

 

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Attempting Bluff Mtn - Griffith August 26th 2025

 After looking at maps more it appeared that it might be possible to access Bluff Mountain south of Griffith off of Flying Club Rd.. And down Raven Lane. Though this is a maybe as till go in you do not know.

 

 

Bluff Mountain Access Denied 

 I had used the GoPro during this ride however in a moment of absent mindedness deleted the footage. That sucked however it was bound to happen sooner or later. Though it kinda doesn't matter as not every adventure will be video worthy.

 

 After parking at intersection headed out on Flying Club towards Raven Lane and Bluff Mtn. It was a standard issue gravel FSR type road. Arrived at the Raven Lane intersection and headed down it towards the river. To see if the farther track coud access Bluff Mtn.

 

 Unfortunately while was nearing the far potential track came to a slight problem.The was a gate or marker claiming "Private Property" which didn't match known mapping. When compared to what was online available to what was on the ground there was some big  discrepancies.

 

 Rather then attempt to figure it out and have potential issues turned back to see of the other track spotted on the way in would be viable. It was a long no longer used am guessing skidder type track. And it turns out this track just kind of circled bluff Mtn without going higher.

 

 And looking roughly towards the peak of Bluff Mtn could see attempting to get to the high point would be a bush bashing nightmare. It was dense undergrowth which would be hard enough to attempt just on foot with a pack. Not interested in what is essentially banging one's head against a wall. No thinks.

 

 Since couldn't get to the high point it was time to head back to the Ute. It had rained a wee bit while heading out towards this point and was kind of damp from that and moving through damp brush. So back to the Ute it was to get dry and then set up camp.

 

 Unfortunately was "Access Denied" in this attempt at a Ontario mountain peak. Reality is it is going to happen when attempting things like this. Attempting to go places with a mountain bike where most won't consider attempting comes with a risk of no success. And it still is a better day then not attempting it at all.

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California ITT South PR August 21st 2025

 Decided to head up to Enterprise to ride the out and back California Rd. It has been almost a year since was here last and this time would be a solo ride this time. 

 

Cali Rd Cruise Up And ITT Down 

 

After parking at the school headed out and headed out heading up California Rd till it dead ends at Mountain Rd. It was a cruise ride up. Got to see how the swamps where during the drought.With the usual plan to head back faster aka negative split to ride.

 It was at the turn around I had a thought to maybe for a rare time treat the ride south the Down California Rd segment as a ITT. So let's check what the Strava data says with the result from a year ago. Looking at it close I think should give it a rare go.

 

 Ok so get sorted and let's see how this plays out especially with the long term injury effects having a possibility of mucking it up. Of went. 

 

 I won't give a blow by blow as can't recall most of it. Had the music going through the Skull Shox as use it to quieten a messy brain. And since no someone will as what had played. That is easy, this...

Extended version that has no interruptions. Rode the road as best could till California Rd ended at the south end at Ninth Concession Rd.  No I didn't go race hard and hope for best. Was being a wee bit wary as didn't want to have it all go wrong.  Gave it my best and thought had done ok. It wouldn't be till later when got home would know more.

 

 Wasn't till got home and plugged the GPS device into the computer to download the data and looked closer to see the days result. Well set a new PR and took 10 minutes roughly off the last time.Job well done. 

 

 Of course should admit another ride that had me considering the idea of mounting some kind of modded aero bar to it. For those long flatter sections. And to more importantly take the weight off the hands and such even for a wee bit. Something to consider in the future. Though can say the old Onza bars worked well.

 

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Setting PR's On A Hardtail- Burbrook DH August 19th 2025

On that day while I didn't set out with the goal of setting a PR on the Burbrook DH I do admit that I rode into faster then normal. More of a just hit it fast and have fun. It wasn't till later when uploaded the data that it was revealed.

New PR on Burbrook DH and Molly Time 

 

 I set a PR on the section and according to Strava am 7th "fastest" on it while on a hardtail. Yep set a PR on a heavy hardtail.

 

 Normally don't do much about PR's and just note it and carry on. However kinda felt like maybe I should start noting some and  acknowledging these things. So will do that when do one that stands out to me.

 

 

 

 

 There is a bit of pride I guess can say when you look at the Strava track of that segment and realize all those named in the other places. They all rode ode it on a full suspension bike not a hardtail. Maybe one day will get a little faster on it however will stick to the idea of just ride it fast and what happens happens.

 

 

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Black and Decker August 16th 2025

 A friend had reminded me to not just ride the usual areas have done for 5 plus years. Aka step up my game. And thinking of where could go decided that Black and Decker was the option for the next road trip.

 

 

 Black and Decker - Dust Bowl 

 Going to Black and Decker is at least to me less about how far one rode. It is more of a playground with dirt and Canadian Shield rock. None of that sketchy when damp Limestone. Granite that has a bit of traction in it. So when I go there it is about attempting different lines and routes. 

 

 It has been 3 years or maybe longer since came up to Brockville and the Black and Decker Trails to ride and play. And to be honest while can ride distance and such like others I know. Slower tech like Black and Decker is more my style. While I am not into the drops and such at higher speeds like others I know. I can still ride well in my own way.

 

 

 

And cleaned a line that cannot recall at all if ever cleaned it before 2019. No idea if it is TBI related memory issues or not. Who knows. However cleaned it so that made it worthwhile especially. 

 

 

 After a few hours with it being hot and after a few goes at the little enduro or dh runs decided to call it a day. And was thinking as loaded up that while the trails at Batawa north of Trenton are good. That iame distance to the Black and Decker trails and I like those a bit more. And to be honest the natural dirt and rocks appeal to me more then the McSurface type trails.

 

 

 And soon will go back in the Fall again though the next trip will look at possibly focus on the enduro runs a wee bit more then this trip. See if can maybe hit them a wee bit better the next time.

 

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Camden Rd East August 11th 2025

 First time in a year hit the Camden East Loop on the Rootdown aka the mountain bikers 29er. It was dusty, hot, and very dry. There was zero water in the usual ATV waterholes.

  1L H20, 2x591 ml Iced Tea, and XL Slushie When Finished Camden East Loop With Extension

 Took the GoPro to both get a rough idea of what a bar set up might be sort of a rough idea. And also for a friend who asked what some of it looked like.

 

 

 This would be the first longish ride after swapping to the old school Onza bar ends found at Our Community Bikes while in Vancouver in July. And as expected they worked well. Nice to have an alternative hand position option when one is not interested in drop bars anymore. Well long term injury effects are also a factor.

  So in analysis after this first ride is the Onza's are slightly shorter then the no names had on earlier. They are a much better size for how I tend to use them. 

 

 

 After a stop at Camden east at the gas station store for some Iced Tea on a hot day. Killed one there and put the second in the feedbag. And then resumed the ride to get back to the Ute. It was hot so admit didn't attempt to go as fast as might have tried. Got back to the Ute after another 14-16km of riding.

 

 

 Ride on a hot day went well. And will have to figure out another way to mount the GoPro if want to again as the first attempt saw it tilt a bit. Lots of time to tinker with that in the future.

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