Camping @ Bar-H Ranch

Today I returned from another successful mountain biking/camping excursion to Bar-H Ranch with my great friends Eric, Jenn, Pete, and Rocket.

On a leisurely Saturday morning we headed north around 1 pm after a short brunch visit to Einstein's. Despite moderate traffic we arrived in Saint Jo around 3 pm. After a short drive, we located a suitable camping spot complete with a modified Weber grill and unloaded the bikes. Eric, Pete, and I suited up and began our adventure while Jenn and Rocket went for a hike.

We started down Bill's Way, veered left into The Oaks, started our ascent into Go West (where we ran into Jenn and Rocket), descended the Horseshoe, took a breather on Earl's Way, turned onto Copperhead down to the creek bed (where I took Eric and Pete on a bit of a wild goose chase), shot up through The Holler, rounded Rustler's, dove into the trees in Commanche Dance, played with sand down in The Holler, rode through Hole in the Tree, climbed and screamed down Upper Armadillo Ridge, and returned back up Bill's Way.

After taking a short breather for some water and snacks, we headed out again, this time to conquer the infamous Devil's Backbone. Hoping to slow Pete down, I sent him off to do Go West again while Eric and I took a shortcut through Earl's Way, which led us directly to Devil's Backbone. Once there, we started our arduous ascent (about 1,000 feet of climbing in just under four miles). The first descent I took a turn a little to fast and wide and, seconds into it, I ended up on my back. After a quick recovery, we continued our journey reaching the summit four more times over seven additional climbs. Naturally Pete caught up with us. We finished off Devil's Backbone with a screaming downhill and warmed down on Earl's Way back to our campsite.

After a quick, sulfurous shower relaxed with some Old Speckled Hen, Hacker-Pschorr Weisse, and Dogfish Head Shelter Pale Ale and set up our tents. We then prepped for dinner, which consisted of some my grilling some cedar plank salmon and grilled chicken breasts. Jenn and Pete provided couscous, orzo, and rosemary rustica bread. For dessert, we had s'mores and hobo pie with apple pie filling.

We settled down for bed around midnight. Wind gusts of around 25 mph kept most of us up all night (I probably fell asleep around 4 am). We got up around 8:30 am Sunday morning as Quince joined us. Quince and Pete went for a short ride while Eric prepared his famous breakfast tacos. After breakfast we packed up our belongings and went for one last ride. I had to cut the ride short due to a slow leak and hung out with Jenn and Rocket while the rest of the guys did Devil's Backbone again. Reunited, a few of us enjoyed some additional beers and relaxed.

We gladly paid our self-service dues at the trailhead and then left to return home around 3:30 pm. Yay us for a rain-free camping weekend! I can hardly wait to go back!!! In my opinion this is the BEST mountain biking in Texas. Hopefully next time I'll have some pictures to share with you.