First time at Cowles, had a great time. Followed MTB Bill's route and started from the trailhead at Mesa Rd.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAvUFiFDu4HkVHfQpBlv9BoseRHG4UX6S-gdQ7NQUdzP_TikJiZngVlcXXZ7VxZ0tkuAEMORpM0DiTDGU9z9GX8kh8So9PPo67SncjS0BkvdQLRXI93vtFoddj1Uv58hBbVHJQMiuMAaO/s400/IMG_1039.jpg)
Had to do some route finding at first, but after one missed turn, I started the singletrack climbing
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBBDKSyOd_wSx-bLVIiAxxy_ffPc_jDwTUeqMCnvXgldVj1HMLZKMMVYDg-o63Xp5fhQSLjMb5xBY7hAMwu3sB79TcUNr1v6qpxLk0fTbD2DLfNJ-wSGWnyCdo5t2PFHEDtCngGIgmOk2/s400/IMG_1040.jpg)
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The singletrack eventually intersected with the main fire road that would take me to the top.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXuYlcB31yoBIK008ZDDNahx_KdbRjT6nb-L2qExVcW2G8JEG-icb6LBVgZPHXAN3yT622te3PIqtFOYqpXy4obYIM1Vl-o1p_ICMfhFfu3GdXK9g9uI_4Mr9Gy-HZXIDk4M0WkdCEx9l/s400/IMG_1042.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOl13P3IEowE617O_aiB9wf80kCrsZZXoZvf9bCy9H2lbpVTZD6OcyT5Vx9xHQ65tOoBxsgq6d_rL4S0u7INXVkzp-CdGJOEtiSBOdQxyPnfHb_6RYj_H1-ArsW2c8oaWxRM6exHNvx5h-/s400/IMG_1041.jpg)
Climb was worse than I originally thought at the top, and ended up HAB'ing a bit. Soooo steep.
Eventually I made it to the summit, and was rewarded with some impressive views.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbUDFWfOawtj0_i8_HI_4tJ8tFxQxWtwkLrcK_fhjwZMbsSR3N4JJ9JPJIdL84k1jtghsyk9LeF_qg9h4KYlS04tOu2A_UIjgMFolk3QrAhPml6cHfBQxLXOUrN3edds3cTtsISg1eMWd/s400/IMG_1043.jpg)
From the top of Cowles I continued over to Pyles, which involved a short fun downhill and then some more climbing. I'm glad I did it, and enjoyed that section.
Here's the view from the Pyles Peak overlook:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvM3fsNt9-slwmFC3D9kSWOZ40OReQmOwa-RoPYUvo6rmKwwBqNijOi1WF9ZZkH9jyXlgkQtF1z04JL0erVX1wGeEJQIwkL62yvLAfMUTwTgGBT3hHk8-97r8GTd1HjDac0QH6_fzarj3h/s400/IMG_1044.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXOEGQCfuOnpKNGf3dPScR2PCV6b82mhULi3S388WqjBCA3vh_7Cq05soijFsFOv1DTqZu5PjkkT8S2wNaRkwahjlvqMYpqY-ogCUgPSEkndYvZS9drh2rzgbucqWuonr8fUTxg4nTjNi/s400/IMG_1045.jpg)
From there I retraced my steps, back up to the top of Cowles and then down to the car. I detoured a bit on to the Big Rock singletrack, which was awesome. The ride felt like more than 8 miles, but was enjoyable nonetheless.
Total Distance: 8.34 miles
Total Time: 2:06:24
Ascent: 2161 feet
Average Speed: 4.0 mph
Top Speed: 25.0 mph
Bike: Intense Spider
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