Mineral Peak… my old nemesis. I’ve biked this beast more times than I can count, which makes it extra impressive that I keep forgetting exactly how much it sucks to climb. This year was no different. The approach? Way longer than I remembered. The final pitch? A rocky, lung-busting nightmare I apparently block from my mind like some kind of protective reflex.
And yet, this time I had an advantage. I’d driven the Toyota all the way up to the trailhead. Surely that would make it easier, right? Wrong. Two miles from the top I was pushing, muttering, and making silent bargains with the mountain gods. I made it, though… which triggered my super-secret idea.
The plan? Drop Mineral Peak Trail all the way to the Rattlesnake Corridor, climb back up to Sheep Mountain, then return to the Toyota. The mountain, clearly insulted by my ambition, decided to teach me a lesson. Loose rock, endless switchbacks, and a general “we’re going to chew you up and spit you out” vibe. But I finished the loop. A loop I’d never done before.
And on the drive home, ripped arms and all, I couldn’t stop smiling. Turns out, forgetting how hard it is might be the only reason I keep doing it.
Disclaimer: This post was crafted with help from ChatGPT
