White Mountain Peak MTB

Introducing the first annual White Mountain Peak MTB Challenge™ aka Trek to the Summit of White Mountain Peak™.

For the July 29, 2011 ascent, Trek Bicycles sent us two of their top-of-the-line mountain bikes, the classic race bike with 26" wheels, the Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SSL and the race-ready 29er Trek Gary Fisher SuperFly 100 Elite.

About California’s White Mountains

California’s White Mountains are east of the Sierra Nevada. The starkly beautiful high-elevation landscape is home to the oldest living trees in the world, the ancient Bristlecone Pine. See photos of the White Mountain bristlecone pines, and see also photography at diglloyd.com.

I also offer guided photo tours to the White Mountains.

First attempt in 2004

In 2004, my buddy and I climbed nearly 14,000 vertical feet without summitting, because he bonked at 12,800' at about 3:30 PM, and we had no lights for the return. My buddy deemed the experience so unpleasant that he sold his mountain bike the next day, and swore never to ride one again, sticking to his road bike.

Success in 2011

My 2nd effort with another riding buddy was rewarded with an enjoyable and successful ride, which is detailed on the pages that follow.

The moonscape about 1/3 of the way from Patriarch Grove to the Barcroft research station, mile ~21