Me and snow mobile trails

Had fun riding snow mobile trails. All the snow is gone, and in a month or so these trails will all be grown shut by brush. So today I took the opportunity to explore. Rode my HardTail with 2.5 Big Earl tires. The 4 inch tires and the FatBack would have rode better on these soft trails, but I want to keep putting my new handle bars and STI shifters, and brakes through some testing on the HardTail.

Tried climbing a long rutted hill, I was holding a slow climb, HR was maxing out, I was trying to stay in the seat to keep more weight over the rear tire. With about 30 feet to go, I had to stand up to get more power on the legs. The rear tire started slipping and spinning out, when I took my weight of the back seat. The hill was steep, with lots of rocks I was worried about dismounting and rolling down. I was able to get off the bike without biffing, and walked the remaining section of the hill. When I got to the top I was in some guys back yard,  he grilling out and drinking a beer. I waved and he waved back and I turned around and went back down the hill. That was a trick riding back down without going over the handlebars.

Explored the back country, the trail followed along a creek. I noticed a spot where the bluff was about 30 feet above the creek. I pedaled over to the edge and looked down. I saw the monster of all Snapping Turtles laying on the sand. I was looking for away to get down to the creek edge and take some pictures of this beast. He saw me and disappeared. On the way back I checked to see if he was there, and lo and behold he was. This picture doesn't do his size justice. He was now hiding in the water waiting for me to leave with his nose out for breathing. I would say 50 to 70 lbs in size.

Saw several snakes crawling across the trail, warmer weather brings everybody out. I could have explored all day, a lot of new sights. Would be neat to ride and camp out, and put on lots of miles.

Shoulders behaved well enough all things considered, so I hope to get some road riding in this week after work days.
LaTa,
Dave