Adventures in the West End

I saw our regular crew off this morning at the start of the Heck, then rode through town and out Grand Avenue. Beck's road is now open  (though partially gravel). The far western section of Skyline remains closed but is no problem on a cross or mountain bike:

There's been no progress in repairing the washout at Merritt creek: I'm thinking we might have to wait a bit on this piece. The steep climb to the top of Spirit afforded some glimpses of the new downhill mountain bike trail. The new upper lift station at Spirit Mountain is nearing completion:

Seems hard to imagine that the lift would be in operation in time for the fall color change - the new haul rope is in place but the chairs are yet to be mounted:

A bright spot on the return trip was the discovery that the section of Skyline between Highland Avenue and Haines road (40th Ave West) has been repaved; unfortunately the short jog required on Haines to continue north on Skyline is completely impassable due to construction. The descent of 40th to continue north is no simple matter either, given the magnitude of the flood damage.  It's always an adventure......
Russ