0634

0634 was when I embarked from the Gold Creek gate this morning. It was a nice central location for some long riding to a few new peaks along now gated roads. I can remember driving in this area in the early nineties. I ran into the below sallie heading to Mineral Peak area (just below as snow is a problem).It was snowing and cold. I rode by a couple of cows and one with a calf. I turned around and rode back down passing a truck driving up (this road is not gated, and still offers access for some good grouse hunting in the fall).I then dropped into the Primm area (below). Gold Creek had quite a fire in 2003. After some minor climbing I headed back over into the Belmont. Then, east of Gold Peak (NW is tribal primitive) as marked on the map, I was heading around a bend looking down at the garmin and for some reason I looked up and was headed directly into a mother grizzly and her cub that were leisurely walking down the middle of the road. This was a startling new first, as I have never biked into a grizzly. The mother bear was brown and tan and had the characteristic hump. So, I'm ninety eight percent certain of what type of bear it was. The whole thing happened so fast that I did not get the opportunity to get a photo. I was able to apply the breaks immediately and turn around just prior to the bears. The bear spray was available and accessible, but I did not need it as I quickly rode out of the area.Now, there is something that does not happen everyday! I told a few anglers back at the Gold Creek gate. Wonderful morning. Mineral Peak shot below. Additional photos posted at my Missoula Various site. The coffee at the truck tasted great too!