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By Bob Korfhage for the Mail Tribune Temperatures in the Rogue Valley can be sizzling during the summer, discouraging long bicycle rides on the valley floor's hot pavement. But there is a cooler alternative nearby. Just head for the mountains. Some route segments used for Siskiyou Velo's Mountain Lakes Challenge offer good alpine ride options. Maps for these routes can be found on the Siskiyou Velo Web site by visiting www.siskiyouvelo.org and clicking on "maps" in green lettering and then on "long rides," "Mountain Lakes Challenge," and "maps & profiles." Two particularly scenic rides start at the campground entrance on the south end of Hyatt Lake, but there are many scenic waysides, campgrounds and picnic areas along the loop that are also suitable as a start/end point. From the entrance to the campground, go on East Hyatt Lake Road (Hyatt Dam Road/Bureau of Land Management Road No. 40 3E 3) heading northeastward past the BLM Administrative facilities, to open meadows, views of the reservoir and older forest areas. After passing the entrance to Wildcat Campground, get off and walk your bike around a locked gate. The road is closed to motorized traffic. Beyond the gate, continue on the main road paralleling the lakeshore until you come to a "T" at the intersection of East Hyatt Lake Road and Hyatt Prairie Road, about 4.25 miles into the ride. For a shorter ride, turn left and cycle back up the west side of Hyatt Lake to the starting point, for a total of eight miles. Advertisement Or, you can turn right and proceed toward Howard Prairie Lake for a longer ride. This 28-mile scenic ride heads northeast on Hyatt Prairie Road to the junction with Willow Creek Road (5.8 miles). Stay to the right on Willow Creek Road and head southeast and around the southern end of Howard Prairie Lake. You will pass the entrances of Willow Point, Apserkaha, Sugar Pine and Klum Landing campgrounds. Water and nice restrooms are available at Klum Landing. When you get to the Keno Access Road, 10.6 miles from the start, turn left and pedal northwest until you arrive at the junction of Dead Indian Memorial Road (15.3 miles). Turn left and cycle southwest, passing Lily Glen, a heavily used equestrian area where fresh water is available from a hand pump. Turn left at the next intersection on Hyatt Prairie Road (16.5 miles) and ride south, paralleling the shoreline of Howard Prairie Reservoir. You will see Grizzly Peak Campground and Howard Prairie Resort in this section. At the junction with Willow Creek Road, which comes at 23 miles, continue on the Hyatt Prairie Road and ride past the junction with East Hyatt Lake Road. Take in the splendid scenery along the west side of Hyatt Reservoir. There is a strenuous mile-long climb just before returning to the starting point. The traffic on these roads is normally light, but be cautious. This is a heavily used summer recreation area with occasional motor homes and vehicles pulling trailers and boats. Be sure to wear your helmet and carry lots of water. If you are contemplating trying a little loaded cycle touring, this is a great starter route. With a little map review you can see how to tie in longer rides over to Highway 140, Lake of the Woods and then back to this route via Dead Indian Memorial Road. There are lots of locations to camp or stop along the way for a picnic. Mountain vistas, including Mount McLoughlin and Brown Mountain, are frequent. Look for ospreys, deer, ducks, geese, bald eagles and small mammals. Green meadows, wildflowers and sparkling blue lakes are a welcome respite from the heat of a Rogue Valley summer. Best of all, if it is hot you can always stop for a swim. Have a great ride! Bicycling enthusiast Bob Korfhage of Phoenix is a former president of Siskiyou Velo bicycle club. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Advertisement s Advertisement