Juniper Ridge Tr261

Tongue Mountain was a mountain goat hunting site for Taidnapam Indians.

Juniper Rdg Tr261 was used by sheepherders in the early 1900s and still makes riders sheepish.

There will be no doubt some riding has happened after tackling this one.

There are no good loop options for Juniper Rdg Tr261, although there are several good shuttle options.

There are also at least four great OAB rides, of varying length and difficulty.

 

To avoid the three peaks, start at FR2801, climb Tongue Mt Tr294 and a portion of Juniper Rdg Tr261 to Juniper Peak, then return to the TH, for a 15.8mi ride and 5200' of climbing.

Most of Tongue Mt Tr294 is a 13% grade, so this route replaces six steep climbs for one really long climb.

Maybe not the best ride for everyone, but a popular downhiller shuttle ride is to use FR2904 and FR2801, south to north on Tongue Mt Tr294.

Since the trail is only 5mi, this would only be about an hour ride.

The hiker-only, steep, unclimbable Tongue Mountain Lookout Trail #294A goes .7mi to the core of an extinct volcano and is worth checking out as a side attraction.

 

Dark Meadow Tr263 to Juniper Peak is about the same length and difficulty as the Juniper Rdg Tr261 OAB ride.

Dark Meadow Tr263 crosses East Canyon Creek then passes through Douglas fir and western hemlock, before crossing Dark Creek and ascending toward the Dark Meadows area.

 

Those wishing to only ride the three peaks might try starting at the Sunrise Tr262 TH, which creates an all-pain, no gain ride across just the three peaks.

Failing to see the appeal of a short, endless-climb of a ride merely proves you are not cyborg.

The Boundary Tr1 from Council Lake to Jumbo Peak ride is another popular OAB, covered on the High Lakes Tr116 page.